Yahoo Sports UFC on FOX 21 Results: Anthony Pettis Wins Featherweight Debut; Aims for Conor McGregor's Belt
Former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, making his featherweight debut, took out Charles Oliveira at UFC on FOX 21 on Saturday night in Vancouver.
Although Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon opened the main card with an exciting back-ad-forth battle, Pettis and Oliveira weren’t to be outdone.
Oliveira immediately began trying to take the fight to the canvas. Pettis defended well, but Oliveira was persistent and eventually got the fight to the ground. Though Oliveira attacked, Pettis slipped out and returned the fight to standing.
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On the feet, Pettis was easily the sharper fighter, picking Oliveira apart with his crisp punches. Oliveira frequently responded with his own combinations, but Pettis was more accurate, busier, and his strikes were more damaging.
Oliveira continued to take Pettis down throughout the fight, but each time, Pettis would reverse and return the fight to standing, where he would out-duel Oliveira.
In the final round, Oliveira continued his takedown strategy, trying to find a submission, but Pettis continued to return the fight to the feet, and within the first two minutes of the third frame, found the finish.
Following a takedown, Pettis reversed position on Oliveira on the canvas. Oliveira then countered and they returned to their feet, Oliveira immediately going for another takedown. This time, however, Pettis sunk a guillotine choke and dropped to his back, forcing Oliveira to submit.
It was an impressive finish to an exciting fight, marking a successful featherweight debut for Pettis, who said before the fight that he was coming in to take over.
His post-fight comments followed suit, as he immediately took aim at the belt wrapped around Conor McGregor’s waist.
“I just took No. 6 in the world,” said Pettis. “I’m here for one thing and one thing only, that’s that belt.”
