Anthony Pettis is the new UFC lightweight champion. The former WEC champ used an armbar from the bottom to submit Ben Henderson in the main event of UFC 164, his second win over the former champ. The finish came at 4:31 of the first round.
Henderson closed the distance immediately after the fight began and looked for a takedown, then another. Neither came, but Henderson controlled Pettis in the clinch for much of the first half of the round. Pettis scored with a barrage of body kicks, but tried something fancy and got taken down. Pettis looked for an armbar from the bottom, and even though Henderson stepped over, it was locked in too deep and he was forced to verbally tap out.
In the post-fight interview, Pettis said that he heard Henderson’s arm pop, and the he verbally submitted. Henderson was interviewed as well, and said his arm was hurt.
This is the second UFC belt to change hands in 2013, and now Pettis will look to stay atop the stacked division.
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