Things weren’t looking great for Anthony Pettis through nearly a full two rounds with Stephen Thompson – but one punch changed everything.
The welterweight bout was the main event of today’s UFC on ESPN+ 6 show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. It streamed on ESPN+.
Pettis (22-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) pressed forward to start, but Thompson (14-4-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) was ready and slipped in a few kicks as he retreated and looked to keep at kickboxing range. Pettis kept his hands high and fired a few quick kicks to the body, and he maintained constant forward movement. Thompson was actually the busier man, though, and the two kept a strong pace in the early going.
Pettis slipped on a flashy spinning wheel kick, and Thompson offered his respect as his opponent got back to his feet. Thompson then started to let his hands go late in the frame, and he drew blood from Pettis’ nose. Thompson was gaining clear momentum, but Pettis didn’t back down, landing a big right hand in the final seconds.
Pettis continued to move forward in the second, but Thompson was measured in his range, staying at kicking distance and chopping away at all levels. Blood poured down Pettis’ face as the round wore on, though he did have success ripping away at his opponent’s legs. Still, Thompson’s movement seemed unaffected, and he used big punches up the middle to batter Pettis’ face.
Thompson was just a step ahead on the exchanges, moving well and countering with great effect. However, Pettis didn’t back down, and the patience paid off, as he jumped forward with a Superman punch that landed clean on the chin and left Thompson out cold at the 4:55 mark of the frame.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 6 results include:
- Anthony Pettis def. Stephen Thompson via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 4:55
- Curtis Blaydes def. Justin Willis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
- John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Jussier Formiga def. Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Maycee Barber def. J.J. Aldrich via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:01
- Bryce Mitchell def. Bobby Moffett via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Marlon Vera def. Frankie Saenz via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:25
- Jennifer Maia def. Alexis Davis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Randa Markos def. Angela Hill via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:24
- Chris Gutierrez def. Ryan MacDonald via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jordan Espinosa def. Eric Shelton via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 6, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
