UFC Boston free fight video: Anthony Pettis armbars Ben Henderson at UFC 164

Before watching former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis take on Eddie Alvarez at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz in Boston, re-live his armbar win over Benson Henderson, which netted him UFC gold.

Anthony Pettis‘ first fight with Ben Henderson at WEC 53 was an all-time classic, with Pettis’ 5th round “Showtime Kick” sealing him the unanimous decision victory, as well as the distinction of being the final 155 lbs champion in WEC history.

Henderson ended up becoming UFC lightweight champion less than two years after losing to Pettis, but on August 31st, 2013, in Pettis’ hometown of Milwaukee, WI, the two would square off in a short-notice rematch at UFC 164. You see, Pettis was scheduled to face Jose Aldo for the featherweight title at UFC 163, with Henderson slated to face T.J. Grant. Pettis suffered an injury and pulled out of the Aldo fight, but when Grant withdrew due to a concussion, Pettis was slotted in to fight Bendo.

Just like the first fight, Pettis would go on to defeat Henderson. Unlike the first fight, Pettis pulled off a shocking (if not anticlimactic) finish. After a round which saw Pettis throw and land several body kicks, he went for a spectacular head kick and wound up on his back. Seconds later, Pettis secured an armbar, and Ben Henderson, otherwise known for his insane submission defense, was forced to submit. It happened so quickly that Pettis immediately let go of the arm, Herb Dean didn’t even separate them, and the partisan crowd didn’t know what happened until Dean waved the fight off.

You can watch the full video by clicking the play button at the top of the page.

Here’s Brent Brookhouse’s play-by-play of the fight:

Round 1 – Henderson inside right way trying for the takedown. He can’t get it as Pettis pulls him up. Leg kick by Henderson and another takedown attempt. Henderson with small kicks to the leg as he clinches but goes nowhere. Now a body kick by Pettis. Another body kick by Pettis lands very hard. Another body kick. And another. And another. This is a great strategy. Pettis tries some weird handstand kick and gets taken down. Pettis with an armbar! Henderson tapped! Anthony Pettis wins by submission (armbar), round 1.

And here’s how the BE community reacted to the finish:

Anthony Pettis fights Eddie Alvarez in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz on Sunday, January 17th.