If it wasn’t already there, Jussier Formiga certainly threw his name in the title picture hat at flyweight on Saturday night at UFC 229.
Saturday night, T-Mobile Arena in Nevada played host to UFC 229, what many were expecting to be one of the years biggest events. If not the UFC’s biggest event ever. The final match of the evening’s preliminary card saw the return of Sergio Pettis, who got back in the win colomn after winning a split decision over Joseph Benavidez at UFC 225. His opponent, Jussier Formiga, entered the night riding a two fight win streak, with his most recent being a submission win over Ben Nguyen by rear naked choke at UFC 221.
Who would go forward, to a potential title shot in a now wide-open flyweight division? Both fighters, after all, were top-five talents in the weight class.
As the bout got underway, Pettis came out and took center. Both fighters were feeling each other out. Formiga moved in and out well, Pettis matched him all the way. Formiga landed a nice combination and Pettis answered with a kick. At this point, the pair looked even. Pettis tried to work his kicks, while Formiga continued looking to land combinations. Pettis then threw a kick that was caught by Formiga; they rolled and both men landed back on their feet. Formiga then completed a well-timed take down and started to work from full guard. Formiga worked to pass full guard, and Pettis continued to defend as the horn sounded to end the round.
In the second, Pettis again came out and took center. Formiga continued to use his in-and-out movement, while Pettis stalked him around the cage. Formiga shot for a takedown that looked to have caught Pettis off guard for a moment, but he sprawled and stuffed the attempt. The two exchanged and Formiga jumped in for the single leg takedown that put Pettis on his back. Again Formiga worked from full guard, and moved to half guard as Pettis worked for position and eventually escaped back to his feet.
Formiga gets the back early in the 3rd round!#UFC229 pic.twitter.com/qffGHpfRfM
— UFC (@ufc) October 7, 2018
Pettis was moving forward early in round three, and the two exchanged briefly before Formiga shot in for the takedown. Pettis escaped for a moment and made it over to the cage, but Formiga followed and took his back as Pettis got back to his feet. Formiga was now on the back of Pettis with a body triangle locked in, and was looking for the choke. Formiga kept the body triangle on tight and worked punches from the back. Pettis was now walking around the ring wearing Formiga like a backpack until the round came to an end. Unable to solve the puzzle that was Formiga or even shake him off his back during the third, it was the Brazilian claiming the unanimous decision win.
A lot of what will happen in the flyweight title picture in the coming months will be determined by a potential super-fight between Henry Cejudo and bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw. Not to mention the status of all-time great Demetrious Johnson. But Formiga has certainly thrown his name in the mix.
Jussier Formiga def. Sergio Pettis by unanimous decision (30-26 29-28 29-28)
