Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Nate Diaz made a memorable return to the Octagon last night (Sat., Aug. 17, 2019) at UFC 241 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., when he went toe-to-toe with former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis for a unanimous decision win.
Pettis landed early shots in the first round as Diaz tried to close the gap. “Showtime” kept scoring before Diaz was able to secure a takedown. Pettis quickly transitioned into a guillotine attempt and gave Team Diaz a scare before Nate popped his head out and landed some shots.
Pettis started to mix things up in the second with strikes to the head and body. Diaz once again closed the gap and landed a big knee along the cage. Pettis was able to open up a big cut above Diaz’s right eye later in the round but that didn’t stop the Stockton native from pouring on the offense until the sound of the bell.
The third round saw Diaz take over. During a clinch along the cage Diaz landed ferocious knees inside that buckled “Showtime” to the canvas. Diaz poured on the ground-and-pound en route to gaining back control but Pettis survived. Diaz would regain back control to score even more points towards the end of the round as he cruised to his comeback victory.
Check out Diaz’s big third-round knees above and the rest of the action below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
Pettis is in the Octagon! #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/9hKAtjwMZH
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2019
Back like he never left. @NateDiaz209 #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/OSuNwBFiKQ
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2019
Pettis slaps the guillotine on, but Diaz escapes! #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/5KxhKggYPe
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2019
The pressure of @NateDiaz209 overwhelms Pettis #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/2t4E73dtdt
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 18, 2019
Diaz is teeing off on Pettis as round 2 comes to a close!#UFC241 pic.twitter.com/oB6cmHTcl7
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2019
For complete UFC 241 results and coverage click here.