Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight standouts Michael Chiesa and Anthony Pettis dueled last night (July 7, 2018) at UFC 226 from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For a long time, Chiesa has been an outrageously large Lightweight, using that size and his jiu-jitsu skill to overwhelm opponents on the mat. It finally caught up to him Friday though, as Chiesa missed weight and announced that this would his final 155 lbs. — well, 157 lbs. — fight win or lose.
As for the man who intended to remain a Lightweight, this was a hugely important fight. Pettis is without any recent significant wins, holding onto his top 15 position largely thanks to the strength of his title reign years ago. To remain relevant, Pettis had to pull through.
Pettis opened the bout with a kick saw him put on his back in the opening 20 seconds. Pettis scrambled and nearly gave up his back, but his fortunes improved when he was able to slip out the back door and nearly take Chiesa’s back. “Maverick” used a kimura to escape and landed a slapping high kick on the break.
After a brief separation, Chiesa returned to his wrestling along the fence, scoring a clinch trip into the full guard. Pettis threatened with submissions and was able to stand up relatively quickly. Once back up, Pettis began digging straight kicks to the mid-section and attacking Chiesa’s lead leg.
Pettis finished the round very well after a rough start.
Pettis opened the second round with a clean cross that stunned Chiesa, but it seemed like he missed his opportunity when he jumped on a failed guillotine choke. However, Pettis remained active, transitioning into a triangle choke that tightened quickly. Chiesa tried to roll his way out, but that only added pressure to the hold. Chiesa fell over, Pettis attacked his arm as well, and “Maverick” was forced to submit.
I won’t go full hyperbole, but that was reminiscent of an old school Pettis performance.
Pettis mentioned it in his post-fight interview, but it’s clear from the fight alone that Pettis recommitted to his offensive jiu-jitsu. Throughout the entire fight, Chiesa was able to gain top position but do little with it. Each time Pettis was put on his back, he went after the high guard, forcing Chiesa to maintain a looser control. As a result, Pettis was more easily able to get back to his feet.
In addition, Pettis’ triangle is excellent. The second he locks it up, he hooks the leg and secures an angle, quickly finishing the choke. It almost made an appearance opposite Dustin Poirier before the round ended, but this time it secured Pettis his first big victory in years.
It will take Pettis another win to truly be “back,” but this was a great start.
If we’re being honest, Chiesa has shown very little development since The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). His kickboxing is tricker and more effective, sure, but it’s still awkward, and his defense is porous. Pettis landed nearly everything he threw, and that’s a big issue at any weight class.
Furthermore, Chiesa has a high-risk grappling style. His back control and rear naked choke may be deadly, but he’s been submitted in three of his UFC losses. Against Pettis, he tried to jump on submissions that weren’t really there, making it easier for Pettis to scramble up and exhausting himself in the process.
Lightweight or Welterweight, these issues need attention.
Last night, Anthony Pettis scored a slick submission win. Who should Pettis face next?
For complete UFC 226: “Miocic Vs. Cormier” results and play-by-play, click HERE!