Anthony Pettis is a former UFC lightweight champion. He has notable victories against Donald Cerrone, Benson Henderson, Jeremy Stephens, and former welterweight title contender, Stephen Thompson. However, Pettis hasn’t been the same old knockout artist recently. He suffered a unanimous decision loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 241 after an impressive knockout of Stephen Thompson at UFC: Nashville.

Pettis’s career might be oscillating between victories and losses in the recent past, but one must never undermine his capability to bounce back in any situation. Something similar happened when a young Anthony Pettis took on Benson Henderson for the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 164. 

The Deadly Armbar

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Henderson was a threat to the division at that time. And while one may not see Henderson as much of a danger today, he had successfully defended the lightweight title against the likes of Frankie Edgar, Nate Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez. With a seven-fight win streak at UFC, Henderson’s last loss came against Pettis himself, where he lost the WEC lightweight championship to the Showtime.

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Both the fighters spent a considerable amount of time in the clinch position. Additionally, Henderson tried to use the same technique he had used against his previous opponents. Pettis looked calm and waited for the right opportunity. He threw in lethal kicks to the body. After taking him off guard, Pettis tried to corner Henderson by continuing to throw the lethal kicks. Pettis pulled off a brilliant performance from his back, and before anybody knew it, he successfully set up the deadly armbar on the UFC lightweight champion. 

Watch: When Tony Ferguson Bounced Back With a Lethal Submission Win

Anthony Pettis shocked the MMA community by becoming the first fighter to beat Benson Henderson in UFC.

What’s next for Anthony Pettis 

Anthony Pettis will face Carlos Diego Ferreira in his comeback fight at UFC 246. Pettis is coming off a loss against Nate Diaz. However, Ferreira is on a 5-fight winning streak. Pettis makes his return to lightweight after fighting twice at the welterweight division. It will be Pettis’s first fight at lightweight after losing to Tony Ferguson at UFC 229. 

A possible victory here can bring Pettis back to the top in the division and can help him get back in the title picture.