UFC Boston video recap: Alvarez ekes past Pettis via split decision

Bloody Elbow’s recap of the co-main event bout between former lightweight champions Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez.

Former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez emerged victorious in the co-main event of UFC Boston by grinding out former UFC 155-pound king Anthony Pettis en route to a split decision verdict.

Throughout the great majority of the 15-minute bout, Alvarez was able to control the pace using his wrestling and was able to keep the action out of the center of the Octagon where Pettis more comfortable at.

Alvarez smothered Pettis and pushed the action towards the fence, leaving the latter unable to move and no other choice but to engage in a wrestling match, as well. He did have his moments when he was able to spin out of the cage, go back to fighting long, and land hard left body kicks.

What was the high point of the fight?

Alvarez was mainly reliant on his wrestling though the entire bout, but the fight’s high point was when he engaged in a stand-up battle with Pettis during the second and third rounds.

Despite his obvious reach disadvantage, Alvarez closed the distance and traded short punches and kicks. Without enough space to operate, Alvarez was already able to gain some control of the fight, both on the feet, and in the grappling exchanges.

Where do these two go from here?

After conceding to the idea that Conor McGregor is able to call his shots and that “there is nothing anyone can do about it”, the number-four ranked Alvarez may have stated a strong case as one of the next frontrunners for a title shot.

Pettis, on the other hand, would need to go back to the drawing board, after the second consecutive loss of his career. The most viable option for him at this point would be to finally face Khabib Nurmagomedov, assuming that the latter would want to carry on with his MMA career.

Watch now, later, or never?

Given the slow-paced action that garnered some boos from the audience in the third, this fight would be a snoozefest if you were a casual fan. As a purist, one would be able to appreciate the manner of which Alvarez was able to control the fight, despite his disadvantages in striking and reach. Overall, it was still a fun fight to watch, but can be saved for later.

Good action in the first round of this fight w/ @ShowtimePettis and @EAlvarezFight! #UFCBoston https://t.co/4txUSWSDvX

— UFC (@ufc) January 18, 2016

HIGHLIGHTS: Eddie Alvarez upsets Anthony Pettis in #UFCBoston‘s co-main event https://t.co/ysGLOEEQ8w

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 18, 2016

Bloody Elbow’s recap of the co-main event bout between former lightweight champions Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez.

Former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez emerged victorious in the co-main event of UFC Boston by grinding out former UFC 155-pound king Anthony Pettis en route to a split decision verdict.

Throughout the great majority of the 15-minute bout, Alvarez was able to control the pace using his wrestling and was able to keep the action out of the center of the Octagon where Pettis more comfortable at.

Alvarez smothered Pettis and pushed the action towards the fence, leaving the latter unable to move and no other choice but to engage in a wrestling match, as well. He did have his moments when he was able to spin out of the cage, go back to fighting long, and land hard left body kicks.

What was the high point of the fight?

Alvarez was mainly reliant on his wrestling though the entire bout, but the fight’s high point was when he engaged in a stand-up battle with Pettis during the second and third rounds.

Despite his obvious reach disadvantage, Alvarez closed the distance and traded short punches and kicks. Without enough space to operate, Alvarez was already able to gain some control of the fight, both on the feet, and in the grappling exchanges.

Where do these two go from here?

After conceding to the idea that Conor McGregor is able to call his shots and that “there is nothing anyone can do about it”, the number-four ranked Alvarez may have stated a strong case as one of the next frontrunners for a title shot.

Pettis, on the other hand, would need to go back to the drawing board, after the second consecutive loss of his career. The most viable option for him at this point would be to finally face Khabib Nurmagomedov, assuming that the latter would want to carry on with his MMA career.

Watch now, later, or never?

Given the slow-paced action that garnered some boos from the audience in the third, this fight would be a snoozefest if you were a casual fan. As a purist, one would be able to appreciate the manner of which Alvarez was able to control the fight, despite his disadvantages in striking and reach. Overall, it was still a fun fight to watch, but can be saved for later.