WEC 53 – Anthony Pettis shocks the world with a late rally to defeat Henderson on the judges scorecards
Lightweight underdog, Anthony Pettis upset the odds tonight at WEC 53 in Glendale, Arizona, defeating Benson Henderson with an amazing flying kick to become the last man to wear the 155 pound title and setting up a fight down the line with the owner of the UFC version of the title.
Both men exchange kicks in the early going before Henderson gets the better of the exchange and secures the clinch. He uses it to trip his opponent to the mat effectively. Pettis looks for a triangle off the bottom but nothing dong. Henderson lands a nice right hand before Pettis gets back to his feet. The pair exchange kicks this time before Henderson once again secures a takedown and lands a series of punches. MMABay scores the roun 19 Henderson.
Pettis pushes the pace in the second only to be tagged by Henderson. A hard right hand lands from Pettis, dropping Henderson to the mat. Pettis tried to take his back and look for the choke but the champion holds on. Henderson back to the feet and fails to land a takedown. Pettis comes forward with a nice left and is met by a flying knee from Henderson. A nice head kick is landed by the champ to end the round. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Pettis.
The pair exchange kicks to begin the third, matching each other blow for blow before Pettis scores with the takedown. Pettis takes the back, looking for the rear-naked choke but the champion escapes. Henderson stands with Pettis still on his back but he can’t shake him off despite repeated elbows to the thighs. They separate with ten seconds left in the round but it comes to nothing. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Pettis.
Both men land punches at the start of the fourth but Pettis gets the better of it. Henderson looks for a takedown but is almost caught in a guillotine by Pettis. Never the less Henderson gets it and rains down punches from above whilst standing in the guard of Pettis. The champ takes the back and looks for the choke but Pettis somehow escapes, gets top position and eventually gets back to his feet. More kicks from both me before Henderson fails in a takedown attempt. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Henderson.
Pettis is still landing the harder punches in the fight in the fifth round. Henderson shoots in but eats a knee for his troubles. After some struggle he puts the challenger on the ground and eventually takes his back. Pettis neatly escapes with a nice roll and they’re back on their feet. Pettis explodes, pushing off the cage with his foot and kicks Henderson in the face whilst in mid-air, dropping him to the mat. Henderson does his best to hang on and does so, working his way back to his feet, only to have a knee delivered to the face in the final seconds. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Pettis. The judges awarded the fight to Pettis, 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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