Anthony Pettis is the new UFC lightweight champion after forcing Ben Henderson to submit with an armbar late in the first round.
Round One
The main event is underway. Henderson moves in and ducks down for a takedown against the cage to start things off. Pettis resisting as Henderson works hard for the single and he’s forced to let go and they reset.
Leg kick from Henderson and then he pushes Pettis up against the cage again, reaching for a takedown, but again he’s being stuffed by the challenger. Uppercut from Henderson and soon after another one.
A brief step apart and Henderson lands a low kick and Pettis a punch before the champion barrels back in for another takedown attempt.
He can’t get him down, but he does fire off some unusual kicks to the calf of Pettis from the clinch before they separate.
Kick to the body from Pettis. A brief lull in the action as they size each other up, then another body kick from Pettis.
Pettis fires off another few very hard body kicks and Henderson is flinching as they come in and he backs off.
Henderson swoops in and this time he gets it. Henderson getting reaady to start working on the mat when Pettis suddenly throws up an armbar attempt.
It’s tight, and Henderson tries to spin out, but Pettis is locked in tight. Then suddenly Pettis let’s go and Henderson stands up looking dejected. There’s a stunned silence just for a second and then reality sinks in – it’s all over, Henderson’s submitted and Pettis is the new UFC lightweight champion!
There didn’t appear to be a tap which is why it caught everyone by surprise, but the referee confirms it was a verbal submission at 4.31mins of round one.
