It was a bad night for the Pettis brothers.
First, Ryan Benoit inflicted a gratuitous kick in the butt to an out Sergio Pettis after their fight. Then Rafael dos Anjos kicked older brother Anthony Pettis’s butt for five rounds to pitch a shutout on the scorecards of all three judges and capture the UFC lightweight championship.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk became the UFC’s first European titlist by a TKO win over Carla Esparza to capture the strawweight strap.
“After every fight I’m so happy on the inside and the outside, but after this one I’m more happy on the inside for my parents, for my boyfriend and for my country – for everyone,” the beanpole Pole reflected. “I’m going to take my belt back to Europe and show everyone. I’m just so happy.”
UFC 185 saw Johny Hendricks similarly dominate Matt Brown and a slimmed-down Alistair Overeem win a unanimous decision over a still fattened-up Roy Nelson.
“Matt Brown, I knew he was a tough dude,” Bigg Rigg offered. “But I was never threatened by any of his submission attempts. I slowly reacted to them because when you react too quick, that’s when you get caught in something else he throws. I’m going to keep my body fat down and be ready after Robbie and Rory fight.”
The prelims witnessed Brit Ross Pearson land a picture-perfect hook to Sam Stout’s chin to drop the Canadian and end their lightweight fight in the second. Lightweight Beneil Dariush dominated Daron Cruickshank before submitting him in the second round. Joseph Duffy, known for making quick work of Conor McGregor in 2010, similarly ended Jake Lindsey’s night in fast fashion.
“I think Conor [McGregor] is doing well,” the featherweight reflected after his first-round stoppage. “He’s the most popular fighter to ever come out of Ireland so I think it’ll take time and a couple more performances like that to lose the moniker ‘The last man to defeat Conor McGregor.’ So, I’m okay with that for now.”
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