Sunday's lightweight showdown between Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez wasn't a title fight, but it felt like one.
Alvarez captured the victory by split decision in a back-and-forth affair at UFC Fight Night 81 at TD Garden in Boston. Fox Sports UFC passed along the judges' decisions:
Official result: Eddie Alvarez def. Anthony Pettis by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) #UFCBoston
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 18, 2016
The loss marked the second straight defeat for Pettis, who was coming off a loss to Rafael dos Anjos in his last bout. As for Alvarez, he announced that he is back and a force to be reckoned with in dramatic fashion, considering this was only his second fight since a 2014 loss to Donald Cerrone.
Mike Bohn of USA Today called the result the "biggest win of Alvarez's career," while Shaheen Al-Shatti of MMAFighting.com shared the victor's quote in the aftermath: "I want the champion next. Give me the champion."
Alvarez, known for his impressive boxing skills, wasted little time establishing momentum with a takedown, as Al-Shatti pointed out:
Forty-five seconds in and already an easy takedown for Alvarez.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) January 18, 2016
However, Pettis, known as a lethal kicker, bounced back with a handful of solid body blows, and Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports believed it was enough to capture the first round. MMAFighting.com also weighed in on the early action:
10-9 Pettis. Close round, though. Alvarez is trying to wear him down. Not sure if it’s working.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) January 18, 2016
The UFC shared some highlights:
Good action in the first round of this fight w/ @ShowtimePettis and @EAlvarezFight! #UFCBoston https://t.co/4txUSWSDvX
— #UFCBoston (@ufc) January 18, 2016
Pettis again launched some kicks in the second round, but Alvarez looked to pressure him and pin his opponent's back against the cage in the first few minutes. Alvarez was more active with his kicks during the second round and looked to match the strong Pettis in his own area of expertise.
It didn't work, though, and MMAFighting.com noted that Pettis was "finding his rhythm" during the second round. MMAFighting.com offered more analysis heading into the decisive round:
10-9 Pettis there. I have him up 20-18, but the first round was pretty close. Could be tied. Wish we had five rounds for this one.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) January 18, 2016
Alvarez recognized the stakes in the third round and knew he had to counter the close start with a strong finish. He knocked Pettis on his back in the middle of the third round, as the UFC passed along:
.@EAlvarezFight gets his fourth takedown of the night! #UFCBoston. https://t.co/P543Yd4JiG
— #UFCBoston (@ufc) January 18, 2016
Fox Sports UFC discussed the takedowns as well as the fight neared the finish: "Four takedowns so far for Eddie Alvarez. Will be curious how much that weighs on the judges."
The two exchanged blows in the final seconds, although Alvarez grinded on Pettis and took the fight to his opponent. Ultimately, the fight went the distance and fell into the judges' hands. Iole put the small margin into context:
It's going to the judges. I have it 29-28 Pettis, but the scores could be all over.
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 18, 2016
Naturally, the close fight was a split decision. Two judges scored it 29-28 for Alvarez, while the other gave Pettis the 29-28 edge, which gave the victory to Alvarez. Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com summarized the proceedings: "Wasn't pretty but Alvarez did exactly what he had to do to get that W. Credit to him for sticking to the game plan."
Those takedowns proved to be pivotal.
