Anthony Pettis didn’t need a late highlight reel kick to defeat Benson Henderson this time around. A perfectly executed armbar forced Henderson to tap at 4:31 of the first round crowning a new UFC lightweight champion in the process.
Benson Henderson came out and closed the distance immediately but could not get the fight to the mat as Anthony Pettis fought off several takedown attempts forcing the champion to stand and exchange.
Once Pettis took the center of the cage, he punished Henderson’s body with repeated kicks to the ribs. Pettis then went to a flashy capoiera kick but it was effective, once again slamming into the body of the champion. Pettis ended up on his back after landing the kick, and it was there that he immediately seized the arm of Henderson. The champion tried desperately to free his arm, but Pettis readjusted, cinching up the armbar tighter forcing the dramatic tap.
As the newly crowned lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis (17-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), immediately called out Jose Aldo, calling for a fight in either of the two divisions with the belts on the line.