A key lightweight fight between former interim champion Tony Ferguson and former 155-pound kingpin Anthony Pettis served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC 229 event in Las Vegas.
Tony Ferguson enters tonight’s contest on an incredible ten-fight win streak. “El Cucuy’s” latest victory came over Kevin Lee via submission at UFC 216 last October.
Meanwhile, Anthony Pettis was most recently seen in action at July’s UFC 226 event, where he scored a second-round submission victory over Michael Chiesa. “Showtime” has gone 3-2 over his past five fights overall.
Round one begins and Ferguson comes forward but Pettis lands a low kick. Anthony circles and then lands another hard low kick. Ferguson appears to be limping early. Still, he continues to press forward and lands a low kick of his own. Ferguson is pushing forward but he can’t seem to find his range against the former champion Pettis. Anthony with another leg kick. Pettis is being forced to move but is landing offense. He lands a counter left and then a hard low kick. Ferguson continues to chase and fires off a combination. He lands a low kick and continues to force Pettis backward. Ferguson with a front kick to the body. Pettis fire off with a right hand that misses the mark. Ferguson with a spinning back fist. Pettis responds with a fancy kick off of one hand. Ferguson smiles and moves forward. He lands a front kick to the body of Pettis. Ferguson with a big right hand. The horn sounds to end round one.
Strong close to the first round by The Boogeyman!@TonyFergusonXT #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/rJyZJASM6E
— UFC (@ufc) October 7, 2018
Round two begins and Pettis lands a big punch that floors Ferguson. Tony gets back up to his feet but Pettis swarms him with punches. Ferguson once again hits the canvas. Pettis jumps on him with ground and pound as Tony searches for a leg. Pettis with some ground and pound but he appears to have a big cut. “El Cucuy” scrambles back up to his feet. The doctor comes in to check the cut and we restart. Ferguson leaps in with a kick. He charges Pettis with a flurry of punches up against the cage. Pettis circles off the fence and lands a right hand over the top. Ferguson continues with pressure and lands some nasty elbows on Pettis against the cage. Ferguson with a right hand that sends Pettis staggering backward. Ferguson with all kinds of pressure now. He lands a massive elbow and then a right hand. Pettis is a bloody mess but continues to throw back. He leaps in with a left but eats a counter elbow from Ferguson. Pettis responds with an overhand right and then a left cross. Ferguson presses Pettis against the cage and lands a left hand and then a shot to the body. Pettis is throwing but Ferguson is landing. Tony with a right hand and then a left hook. Pettis attempts a cartwheel kick. Ferguson with more punches. Round two comes to an end.
OHHHHHH HUGE shot from Pettis hurts Ferguson!!!#UFC229 @ShowtimePettis pic.twitter.com/qcL4A5SxY7
— UFC (@ufc) October 7, 2018
Pettis cannot continue due to a broken hand and Ferguson is declared the winner.