FB TW IG YT VK TH
Search
MORE FROM OUR CHANNELS

Wrestlezone
FB TW IG YT VK TH

UFC 185 Results: ‘Pettis vs. Dos Anjos’ Play-by-Play & Updates



Sherdog.com reports from American Airlines Arena in Dallas at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET with live UFC 185 updates.

Advertisement
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Germaine de Randamie vs. Larissa Pacheco

Round 1

De Randamie slaps the Brazilian’s lead leg inside with a few low kicks to open the bout. Pacheco pulls up short on a couple of probing punches, then gives de Randamie a leg kick in return. “The Iron Lady” zaps Pacheco with a cracking right hook in the pocket, then steps back out. A right cross scores for de Randamie, who deflects Pacheco’s return fire with her arms and circles out to reset. De Randamie connects with a lead uppercut, then splits Pacheco’s guard with a hard jab. Another right hook seems to hurt Pacheco, but the Brazilian keeps coming forward. Finally, with 90 seconds left in the round, Pacheco shoots for a takedown. De Randamie defends with her back to the fence, then reverses the position and exits the clinch with a knee to Pacheco’s face. De Randamie finishes the round with another uppercut and three or four huge right crosses, which Pacheco eats and smiles.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 de Randamie
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 de Randamie
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 de Randamie

Round 2

De Randamie continues her striking dominance at the start of round two, battering Pacheco with more blistering right hands and even testing out a couple high kicks. Pacheco’s return fire is becoming increasingly desperate, as she swings and misses with punches from distance. De Randamie tags her with a straight left, an overhand right on the temple. Pacheco tries to change levels and eats more punches, stands up and takes another right hand to the side of the head. Wounded, Pacheco starts backing up toward the fence with her head down, and before de Randamie can inflict any more damage, referee Don Turnage intervenes.

The Official Result

Germaine de Randamie def. Larissa Pacheco via TKO (Punches) R2 2:02

Joseph Duffy vs. Jake Lindsey

Round 1

Duffy lands a jab to counter a leg kick from Lindsey, and then keeps pressing forward to put a hard right hand on the Kansan’s cheek. Lindsey gives Duffy a leg kick, answered by “Irish Joe” with a two-punch combination. Lindsey is moving in angles around the outside while Duffy works from the center. Lindsey ducks under a left hook to score with another leg kick, this one partially checked by Duffy. A left high kick knocks Lindsey backward a few steps. Duffy closes the distance and lands a beautiful left hook to the body, and after a couple seconds, the delayed reaction from the body blow puts Lindsey on the canvas in pain. Referee Herb Dean steps in before Duffy can tee off with follow-up punches.

The Official Result

Joseph Duffy def. Jake Lindsey via KO (Punch to the Body) R1 1:47

Ryan Benoit vs. Sergio Pettis

Round 1

Pettis slaps the face of southpaw Benoit with a right high kick, then Benoit gets in a couple jabs. A right hand counter from Pettis knocks Benoit off balance momentarily, but “Babyface” pops right back to his feet to trade hands. Pettis scores with a hard body kick and then backs up as Benoit presses forward. After eating some more jabs, Benoit shoots for and gets a takedown, but Pettis reverses almost immediately and winds up in the Texan’s half guard. Benoit tries to sweep, prompting Pettis to stand. Benoit follows and is immediately tagged with a punch combo, a front kick. Pettis ducks under a right hand from Benoit and hits a takedown of his own to close out the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pettis
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Pettis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pettis

Round 2

Pettis keeps picking at Benoit with long, accurate punches, now mixing up his strikes to the body and head. Benoit shuts down a takedown and clubs Pettis with a beautiful counter left hook that sends “The Phenom” to the ground in a daze. Benoit smells blood and pounces all over Pettis, knocking him unconscious with ground-and-pound. Referee Kerry Hatley allows Pettis to regain his wits and turtle up on his knees while Benoit lands unnecessary right hands. After five or six shots, Hatley finally stops the fight, and Benoit kicks Pettis in the rear end as he walks away.

The Official Result

Ryan Benoit def. Sergio Pettis via TKO (Punches) R2 1:34

Josh Copeland vs. Jared Rosholt

Round 1

The heavyweights spend the first minute of the fight inching around the Octagon, feeling out one another, and the Texas crowd does not approve. Rosholt changes levels and shoots for a takedown, but Copeland defends and the big men wind up clinching on the fence. Copeland struggles to free himself, and when he can’t, he settles for landing a couple short elbows to Rosholt’s face. Referee Dan Miragliotta restarts the fighters in the center of the cage with 2:45 on the clock. Copeland sticks a jab and puts a left hook on Rosholt’s chin, but Rosholt comes back with a thunderous overhand right. Copeland eats it and presses forward with 90 seconds left in the round. Rosholt tries to blitz Copeland with punches and gets tagged with a counter right hook. Copeland whiffs on a left hook and gets shoved against the fence again to finish the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Copeland
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rosholt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Copeland

Round 2

Round two begins with 90 seconds more of circling and range-testing, drawing more boos from the audience. Copeland gets knocked off balance with a right hand on the temple, but he snuffs out a takedown attempt from Rosholt a few seconds later. Another shot from Rosholt fails, and now the heavyweights are back to walking around the cage; referee Miragliotta calls for action. Rosholt backs up Copeland to the fence with missed punches, then changes levels and dumps “Cuddly Bear” to the canvas. Rosholt lands in side control, where he uses his leg to pin down Copeland’s left arm while gift-wrapping the right arm. Rosholt lands a few right hands before he loses control of the position, and now he switches to elbows. Copeland is hanging on, and it appears he will survive to see round three, as Rosholt’s offense drops off in the last 30 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rosholt
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rosholt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rosholt

Round 3

Rosholt gets another takedown about one minute into the final frame and moves straight back to side control. Copeland isn’t pressed against the cage this time, so he’s able to wrap up the wrestler’s head and arms from underneath to minimize Rosholt’s offense. Rosholt pins down Copeland’s right arm and gets off a couple good elbows which bloody the Coloradoan’s nose. With two minutes on the clock, Rosholt lands a heavy elbow that causes Copeland to turn over and cover up. Rosholt pounds away with punches, and with Copeland no longer defending himself, referee Miragliotta stops the fight.

The Official Result

Jared Rosholt def. Josh Copeland via TKO (Elbows and Punches) R3 3:12

Daron Cruickshank vs. Beneil Dariush

Round 1

Kicks comprise much of the clean offense in the first 90 seconds, as both lightweights score to the body. Cruickshank’s hands come alive with a nice combo in the clinch, then Dariush responds with a pair of whipping kicks to the midsection. It’s an even match midway through the first round, and now Cruickshank whips around to graze with a spinning kick to the body. Dariush tries to capitalize, grabbing hold of the turning Cruickshank to try a takedown, but the “Detroit Superstar” defends. Cruickshank lands a nice low kick, answered by another pair of nasty body kicks from Dariush. Down to the final 70 seconds, Dariush scores with a low kick. Cruickshank launches himself into the air with a flying knee, but Dariush grabs hold and whips him to the ground. Heavy elbows connect for Dariush on the ground, and he fishes for a brabo choke in the closing moments. After the horn, Cruickshank indicates to referee Don Turnage that he was elbowed in the back of the head.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dariush
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dariush
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dariush

Round 2

Cruickshank absorbs a low kick to grab hold of Dariush and try for a takedown. Dariush defends and lands another elbow, and again Cruickshank complains that the blow was illegal. Cruickshank changes levels for another shot and eats a knee on the way down, then gets turned around. Cruickshank is on his knees with his back to the fence, and Dariush sneaks around the corner to try and jump on the striker’s back. Dariush is riding too high as he attempts an armbar, allowing Cruickshank to sneak out the back door. Cruickshank makes the mistake of shooting for another takedown, and this time Dariush whips around to secure back mount with a body triangle. From there, Dariush applies a rear-naked choke that has Cruickshank tapping out in seconds.

The Official Result

Beneil Dariush def. Daron Cruickshank via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:48

Roger Narvaez vs. Elias Theodorou

Round 1

Theodorou sticks a jab and sends a right high kick off Narvaez’s forearms. The Canadian digs an underhook and shoves Narvaez against the cage, then releases the clinch and scores a knee to the body on the split. Back to the fence they go, this time with Narvaez reversing the position. Theodorou regains the outside position with underhooks, but the middleweights separate after a few seconds. Theodorou is swinging wild punches but not finding his range on the backpedaling Narvaez, who is keeping “The Spartan” out of range with hooking counters. Halfway through the round, Theodorou tries a bizarre combination of standing elbows and punches, then slips to the ground. Narvaez takes a kick to the cup with 90 seconds left in the round, but he’s ready to resume after a few seconds. Theodorou lands a body kick and dodges a left high kick from Narvaez, who lands one to the body a few seconds later. Narvaez closes out the round with a loud outside thigh kick and another body blow.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Narvaez
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Narvaez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Narvaez

Round 2

Theodorou puts a kick on Narvaez’s solar plexus before changing levels and spinning the Texan to the ground. Narvaez throws up his guard, creeping his legs up Theodorou’s body while trapping the “TUF” winner’s arms. Theodorou passes to side control, so Narvaez rolls to his knees and then gets back to his feet. Theodorou slaps Narvaez’s face with a high kick and gets out of the way of a counter knee. Theodorou continues to send kicks off the arms of Narvaez, who tries a high kick of his own and goes over Theodorou’s head. Another high kick touches the face of Narvaez, and now Theodorou is beginning to work his way through the taller man’s range. Theodorou hits a single-leg takedown with 95 seconds left in the round. Narvaez covers up on his knees while Theodorou drops left hands. The strikes don’t look particularly damaging -- the worst of them seem to be landing to the back of Narvaez’s head -- but referee Kerry Hatley is taking a close look nonetheless. Theodorou continues to ground-and-pound, and with Narvaez’s not fighting back, referee Hatley calls an end to the bout. The instant replay shows that Narvaez suffered an injury to his left arm from one of Theodorou’s kicks.

The Official Result

Elias Theodorou def. Roger Narvaez via TKO (Punches) R2 4:07

Ross Pearson vs. Sam Stout

Round 1

Stout is on his back foot early, countering Pearson as the shorter man presses forward. Pearson is getting through with right hands before an uppercut from Stout backs him off. Pearson slaps with an inside leg kick and socks Stout with a left hook in an exchange. Pearson connects with a pair of punches, takes a body kick and hits Stout back with a body blow. Another hard body kick connects for Stout, then an outside leg kick. Stout tags Pearson with a nice counter left hook, but Pearson responds with a jab and a big uppercut. Stout comes over the top with a right hand, then changes levels and pushes Pearson against the fence. Pearson defends, so Stout stands up and puts a knee in the Englishman’s gut. Stout closes the round strong, chasing Pearson around the cage with kicks.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pearson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Pearson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pearson

Round 2

Pearson presses the action to start the second frame, tagging Stout with a hard left hook in an exchange. Shortly afterward, the lightweights clash heads, and referee Dan Miragliotta lets the judges know. Stout grazes Pearson’s chest with a kicking combination. Pearson steps forward, ducks under a straight right from Stout and comes back up to deliver a perfect counter left hook on the chin. Stout drops to his back, eyes open but body stiff, and Pearson lands a coffin nail before referee Miragliotta can jump in between the 155ers.

The Official Result

Ross Pearson def. Sam Stout via KO (Punch) R2 1:33

Chris Cariaso vs. Henry Cejudo

Round 1

Cariaso moves Cejudo backward with low kicks and a flurry of punches, but the wrestling Olympian charges forward, a whirling tornado of limbs, and gets hold of his opponent. Cejudo hits a quick takedown, shoves Cariaso against the fence and scores with some hard knees to the body as Cariaso climbs back to his feet. Cariaso lands a body kick but eats a hard left hook from Cejudo in return. Cejudo lunges at Cariaso with a Superman punch, scores a leg kick and a right hand once he’s in range, and then puts Cariaso’s back against the cage midway through the opening frame. Cejudo gets a double-leg and this time manages to keep Cariaso grounded, first threatening with a guillotine and then yanking out the former title challenger’s legs. Cariaso is warned for grabbing the fence by referee Herb Dean, and he gets back to his feet shortly afterward. Cejudo keeps Cariaso in the clinch, throwing knees to the body and legs. Cariaso breaks loose to land a body kick in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cejudo
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cejudo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cejudo

Round 2

Cejudo comes out swinging hands but gets picked off by a Cariaso counter hook. Another exchange yields a right hand connection for Cejudo, though most of his punches are deflected. Cejudo gets his third takedown of the fight 45 seconds into the middle round, and now he postures up in Cariaso’s half guard to drop elbows. Cariaso is back on his feet 90 seconds in, but again he’s trapped against the cage and kneed by Cejudo. Double underhooks from Cariaso yield a reversal, and the flyweights split soon after. Cejudo gets another takedown behind a Superman punch, this time nearer to the center of the cage. Cariaso scoots toward the fence, closes his guard around Cejudo and tries to throw up an armbar. Cejudo snuffs out the sub attempt before it begins and stands over Cariaso, allowing him to stand. Cariaso lands a body kick and a right hook counter to Cejudo’s own body shot.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cejudo
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cejudo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cejudo

Round 3

Cejudo catches a kick and uses the leg to hustle Cariaso to the ground in the center of the cage. Cariaso shrimps underneath, maybe looking for another armbar opening while also trying to contain Cejudo in half guard. Cejudo drops a few elbows and is warned by referee Herb Dean to “keep an arc” on the strikes. Midway through the round, Cejudo stands and allows Cariaso to do the same, but the flyweights are soon back on the fence in the clinch. Cejudo hits a trip takedown and knees Cariaso in the stomach before trapping him in a wrestling crucifix. Cariaso gets his head free and looks for an armbar, then a heel hook in the waning seconds, but it’s too late and the judges will get to decide a result for the first time tonight.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cejudo (30-27 Cejudo)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cejudo (30-27 Cejudo)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cejudo (30-27 Cejudo)

The Official Result

Henry Cejudo def. Chris Cariaso via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Alistair Overeem vs. Roy Nelson

Round 1

Overeem throws an oblique kick at Nelson, who presses forward slowly to start the bout. Nelson ducks and feints, threatening to throw his big right hand, until Overeem breaks the stalemate with a leaping knee to the body. Overeem is keeping his lead arm long, holding Nelson out of range to throw low kicks at the smaller man. Overeem sidesteps a combination from Nelson and gives him another hard knee to the gut, then another. More kicks land on Nelson’s lead leg, but he appears to hurt Overeem with an uppercut. Overeem covers up against the fence, maybe doing a bit of rope-a-dope as Nelson unloads with more huge right hands to the body. Overeem comes off the fence showing no ill effects and lands another leg kick that knocks Nelson to the ground. Nelson stands up and walks forward on Overeem again, now looking a bit more cautious. Overeem goes back to Nelson’s body with another knee strike, then a whipping kick. He jabs the face of “Big Country,” backs away and then steps in to end the round with one more knee to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Overeem
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Overeem
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Overeem

Round 2

Nelson comes out sporting redness on his belly and lead leg, the product of Overeem’s body work in round one. Overeem picks up where he left off, driving his knee into Nelson’s gut and picking at the American’s left leg. A short right hand from Nelson nearly knocks out the mouthpiece of Overeem, but if the Dutchman is hurt, he’s doing well to hide it. Overeem moves to the perimeter, switching stances while cutting angles and making Nelson walk after him from the center. Nelson loads up with a right hand, causing Overeem to turn his back and dash away. Overeem wraps up Nelson’s waist and throws him to the ground, but the big men stay in the whizzer as they hit the deck and both pop right back up. Overeem does another little sprint, and this time Nelson catches him near the fence to deliver a few hard body blows. Overeem comes off the fence to score with a leaping knee, then rocks Nelson’s head with a left hook. Nelson looks for a haymaker in the closing seconds, but Overeem just covers up on the fence, making it impossible for Nelson to connect to the head.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Overeem
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Overeem
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Overeem

Round 3

Clearly up two rounds to none, Overeem is looking a little more cautious in the opening minute of the final frame. The heavyweights throw kicks simultaneously, and Overeem’s knee lands on Nelson’s cup. Big Country takes a minute to recover from the low blow, and they get back to business with just under four minutes to go. Overeem changes levels for a single-leg but quickly gives it up as Nelson stuffs it. An overhand left on the temple appears to hurt Overeem, but he defends a takedown from Nelson right afterward and then walks away looking sturdy. With half a round remaining, it’s Nelson coming forward, walking right into a left high kick from Overeem. The next head kick is partially blocked by Nelson, who grabs for another single and can’t get hold of Overeem’s leg. Overeem scores with a body kick, a leaping knee to the gut, and he blocks an overhand right with his bicep. With 30 seconds on the clock, Nelson drops Overeem with a sneaky left hook to the chin. Overeem jumps back to his feet and Nelson confusingly shoots for a double-leg against the fence, where they spend the final seconds of the fight.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Overeem (30-27 Overeem)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Overeem (30-27 Overeem)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Overeem (30-27 Overeem)

The Official Result

Alistair Overeem def. Roy Nelson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Johny Hendricks vs. Matt Brown

Round 1

Hendricks gets a fast takedown near the fence, but Brown quickly gets off his back and chases after the former champ. “Bigg Rigg” puts Brown on the canvas for a second time in the opening 90 seconds, and this time he postures up in the Ohioan’s open guard. Brown does well to wrap up and minimize Hendricks’ offense from underneath, but Hendricks still manages to drop some elbows on his opponent’s face. When Brown threatens with a triangle, Hendricks stands up, then escapes a short heel hook attempt. Brown slaps Hendricks’ head with a high kick, clinches up and scores with a pair of knees to the gut, then an elbow on the split. Despite his success in the clinch, it’s Brown sporting a cut on his brow as they disengage. Hendricks lifts Brown into the air with a double-leg and deposits him on the mat, then tries to pass guard but cannot advance before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hendricks
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hendricks
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hendricks

Round 2

Brown connects with a left hook, tries to follow up with a high kick and slips to the ground. “The Immortal” gets back to his feet before Hendricks can chase him to the mat, but once Hendricks catches up, it’s only a matter of seconds before he takes down Brown again. From half guard, Hendricks frames up an arm-triangle choke, then abandons it to sock Brown with short left hands instead. Brown is breathing heavy underneath as Hendricks stays busy on top, punching the veteran’s body and head. Referee Kerry Hatley orders the welterweights back to their feet with two minutes to go in the round. Hendricks eats a couple right hands from Brown before charging him against the fence and once more dumping him to the round. Brown holds the ex-champ in his half guard, then rolls to his knees and stands, only absorbing a couple punches from Hendricks on the way. Hendricks is looking for a homerun shot in the last minute of the round, but when he can’t find Brown’s chin, “Bigg Rigg” settles for one more takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hendricks
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hendricks
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hendricks

Round 3

Hendricks slips throwing a low kick and scrambles back to his feet as Brown tries to jump on his back. Brown is on the attack early in the round, surely knowing he will need a finish here to win the fight. Hendricks gets a takedown and soon finds himself fighting off an inverted triangle choke. Brown can’t close the choke but uses it to separate himself from Hendricks and stand up. Hendricks gets another double-leg takedown despite Brown flagrantly grabbing the fence. Brown threatens with another reverse triangle, but this time Hendricks slips out the back door and flattens out Brown from side control. Brown tries to push off the fence with his feet, so Hendricks moves to north-south position, and then to side control on Brown’s other side. With 50 seconds to go, Brown attacks the swollen right eye of Hendricks with hammer fists from his back. Brown is going all out in the last seconds, attempting a triangle and an armbar, but this one is going to the judges’ scorecards.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hendricks (30-27 Hendricks)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hendricks (30-27 Hendricks)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hendricks (30-27 Hendricks)

The Official Result

Johny Hendricks def. Matt Brown via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

UFC Women's Strawweight Title Fight:
Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Round 1

Don Turnage is the referee for the first of tonight’s title fights. Esparza shoots for an early single-leg and gets sprawled upon by Jedrzejczyk, who hits the champ with an elbow as they separate. Jedrzejczyk sprawls on a second takedown attempt and this time kneels while pushing down Esparza’s head. Esparza is tenacious and won’t let go of the Polish fighter’s leg, and she eventually secures the takedown. Jedrzejczyk is only on her back for a few second before she scrambles up and hits Esparza with a knee to the body. Esparza answers with a right hand and another takedown attempt. Jedrzejczyk hits the deck and nearly reverses to top position; when she can’t, Jedrzejczyk stands up and breaks out of Esparza’s clinch with a standing hammer fist. Esparza shoots for a long double-leg, gets sprawled on. Jedrzejczyk keeps shutting down Esparza’s shots and zaps the “TUF” winner with a straight right hand. An overhand right seems to daze Esparza, who is just circling the perimeter of the cage with her hands down. Jedrzejczyk stuffs another shot, elbows Esparza’s face and tacks on a knee to the body. A straight right hand scores for Jedrzejczyk, then another and another, and Esparza looks to be in trouble as the round comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Jedrzejczyk
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Jedrzejczyk
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Jedrzejczyk

Round 2

Jedrzejczyk shuts down another takedown attempt from Esparza at the start of round two, then resumes battering the champ around the cage with straight, accurate punches. Esparza shoots a single and gets her face driven into the mat by Jedrzejczyk’s sprawl. Esparza looks exhausted, throwing her whole body at Jedrzejczyk to attempt takedowns rather than penetrating with a step or grabbing for the legs. Jedrzejczyk’s punches are eating up the “Cookie Monster,” and the takedown attempts are only getting worse. Another sizzling right hand lands for Jedrzejczyk, prompting another weak shot from Esparza and another elbow to her face. More straight punches, another Esparza shot, another heavy elbow from Jedrzejczyk. This has gotten ugly fast, and with one minute left in round two, Jedrzejczyk is just looking for an opening to tee off. She finds her opportunity when a right hand knocks Esparza backward against the fence. Jedrzejczyk goes into turbo mode, throwing both hands with blistering speed until Esparza collapses into the arms of referee Turnage. Joanna Jedrzejczyk is the new UFC women’s strawweight champion.

The Official Result

Joanna Jedrzejczyk def. Carla Esparza via KO (Punches) R2 4:17

UFC Lightweight Title Fight:
Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Round 1

Referee Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage for tonight’s main event, with judges Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato and Daniel Mathison scoring at cageside. Both men throw blocked high kicks in the opening moments, then dos Anjos scores with one to the body and a straight left hand upstairs. Pettis is circling to his right along the outside while dos Anjos stalks the champ from the middle. Another heavy left hand from dos Anjos gets through and causes Pettis to circle away. Pettis blocks a left high kick with his arms but takes a body kick behind it. Another body blow connects for dos Anjos, but Pettis gets one back with a leaping knee. Dos Anjos eats a straight right from Pettis to give him another huge left hand in return. Now it’s a left hook to the body of Pettis, answered by the champ with a right straight. Pettis counters a dos Anjos leg kick with a straight right that snaps back the Brazilian’s head. Midway through the first round, dos Anjos is still keeping the pressure on Pettis, forcing the champ to circle only a foot away from the fence. Pettis throws a one-two that goes off dos Anjos’ guard, but a shovel uppercut finds the challenger’s chin. Another cracking left hand comes from dos Anjos shortly before he changes levels and dumps Pettis to the base of the fence with an effortless double-leg. Pettis works back to his feet seconds before the horn, only to be elbowed in the face.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos

Round 2

Pettis emerges for round two with his right eye badly swollen thanks to dos Anjos’ left hands in the first. Dos Anjos puts the champ on the fence with double underhooks and roughs up Pettis’ legs with knee strikes. Pettis breaks free and retaliates with a hard body kick, but his right eye has worsened and is now leaking blood. Dos Anjos steps into range with a level elbow and gets another easy takedown, this time landing in Pettis’ closed guard. Dos Anjos tries to break Pettis’ posture with a can opener, but Pettis is busy underneath, wrapping up the challenger and negating the space while hunting for an armbar. Dos Anjos is sporting a mouse beneath his left eye now, and Pettis is targeting it with short hammer fists from the bottom. With two minutes left, dos Anjos postures up and socks Pettis’ face with a couple hammer fists. Now it’s elbows from dos Anjos as he continues to fend off Pettis’ armbar advances with suffocating top pressure.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos

Round 3

Dos Anjos gets a finger to the eye in the opening minute of the round, but the challenger only needs a few seconds to recover from the inadvertant foul. The fight resumes and the lightweights take up their familiar positions, with Pettis circling the outside while dos Anjos stalks. Dos Anjos ducks in behind a hard left hook to the body and puts Pettis on the mat with another double-leg takedown. Still fishing for an armbar from the bottom, Pettis instead rolls to his knees and stands up. Dos Anjos keeps a rear waist lock and holds Pettis on the fence, kneeing the American’s thighs from behind while Pettis keeps one hand on the canvas. The 155ers separate and Pettis slaps with a head kick, answered by dos Anjos with one to the body. Dos Anjos shoots for another takedown and completes it with 70 seconds remaining in the round. In the closing seconds of the round, dos Anjos moves to take Pettis’ back, finishing the round with a barrage of hammer fists.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos

Round 4

As the championship rounds begin, Pettis tries to keep dos Anjos at bay with leg kicks, but the challenger walks through them to deliver some hard hooks near the fence. Another takedown goes for dos Anjos, and now he passes to side control on the champ’s right side. Dos Anjos leans across the body and begins working for a kimura on Pettis’ left arm. Pettis is defending well, clasping his hands, but dos Anjos gets some extra leverage when he steps over to straddle Pettis’ head. Pettis pulls his arm loose and tries rolling to his knees to escape, but dos Anjos climbs on his back and starts looking for a rear-naked choke. Pettis twists around in dos Anjos’ guard and they stand up. A takedown for Pettis only puts dos Anjos on the ground for a split second, but when the Brazilian gets back up, Pettis keeps him pressed against the cage. Dos Anjos reverses the position with one minute left in the frame and pins Pettis to the fence with underhooks. With 20 seconds on the clock, dos Anjos reaps Pettis’ right leg and trips him to the ground. Pettis stands up before the round ends and dos Anjos gives him a kick in the rear.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos

Round 5

Pettis misses with a flying knee to start the round, and then dos Anjos uses a caught body kick to close the gap. The lightweights split after a brief clinch, and Pettis comes over the top with a straight right hand counter to a dos Anjos leg kick. Ninety seconds into the final frame, dos Anjos completes another takedown. Dos Anjos passes to side control on Pettis’ right side, prompting Pettis to roll left to his knees and then stand. The champ breaks out of dos Anjos’ clinch and takes a body kick, then comes over the top with another straight right. Down to the final two minutes, and it’s dos Anjos with his ninth takedown of the fight. Pettis is looking for a kimura from guard, but dos Anjos extracts his arm after a brief struggle and then jumps on the kneeling Pettis’ back. Dos Anjos has a body triangle, still working for the choke when the final horn sounds, and he should be moments away from being crowned the new UFC lightweight champ.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos (50-45 dos Anjos)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos (50-45 dos Anjos)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Anjos (50-45 dos Anjos)

The Official Result

Rafael dos Anjos def. Anthony Pettis via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) R5 5:00
Related Articles

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required
Latest News

POLL

Will Conor McGregor fight in 2024?

FIGHT FINDER


FIGHTER OF THE WEEK

Ben Tynan

TOP TRENDING FIGHTERS


+ FIND MORE