10 years ago, Rafael dos Anjos blew up the brief 'Showtime Era' at UFC 185
In 2015, Anthony Pettis was riding high and had been for years.
Pettis came to the UFC as the final WEC champion on the heels of his famed 'Showtime Kick' against Benson Henderson. He was outworked and outsmarted by Clay Guida in his UFC debut in mid-2011, but just four fights later beat Henderson again to win the UFC's lightweight title.
Another title defense submission followed, as did a coveted spot on a Wheaties box – a first for an MMA fighter.
But at UFC 185 on March 14, 2015, Brazil's Rafael dos Anjos brought the 'Showtime Era' as lightweight champ to a fast halt. He dominated the champ to win a decision in an upset in Dallas.
Pettis was 18-2 going into the fight. He's gone 7-12 since the loss, including a 1-4 record in the PFL after he left the UFC. Pettis signed with Global Fight League this past December for an MMA return after going 1-1 in boxing matches since his most recent MMA fight in 2022.
Dos Anjos has had rough sledding, too. He's 8-10 since he beat Pettis to win the title. He defended the belt once in 2015, but lost it to Eddie Alvarez 16 months into his reign.
Still, to beat 'Showtime,' dos Anjos turned in an all-time performance. Check out some of the highlights from that bout 10 years ago.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
UFC on ESPN 69 weigh-in results, live video stream
ATLANTA – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday's UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+) fighter weigh-ins, which kick off at 9 a.m. PT (6 a.m. PT). Among those weighing in are former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC), who meet in the main event, and former women's strawweight champ Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) and Miranda Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), who fight in the women's flyweight co-feature. Advertisement The full UFC on ESPN 69 weigh-in results include: MAIN CARD (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET) Kamaru Usman () vs. Joaquin Buckley () Miranda Maverick () vs. Rose Namajunas () Andre Petroski () vs. Edmen Shahbazyan () Raoni Barcelos () vs. Cody Garbrandt () Mansur Abdul-Malik () vs. Cody Brundage () Alonzo Menifield () vs. Oumar Sy () PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET) Rodolfo Bellato () vs. Paul Craig () Michael Chiesa () vs. Court McGee () Kris Moutinho () vs. Malcolm Wellmaker () Cody Durden () vs. Jose Ochoa () Ricky Simon () vs. Cameron Smotherman () Ange Loosa () vs. Phil Rowe () Vanessa Demopoulos () vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth () This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Atlanta official weigh-in results, live video stream
USA Today
37 minutes ago
- USA Today
Belal Muhammad breaks down keys to victory in Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley UFC fight
Belal Muhammad breaks down keys to victory in Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley UFC fight Belal Muhammad has a vested interest in the UFC on ESPN 69 headliner between Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley. Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) takes on Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in Saturday's main event (ESPN, ESPN+) at State Farm Arena. Former UFC welterweight champion Muhammad detailed the keys to victory for each fighter starting with the surging Buckley, who's on a six-fight winning streak. "Keys to victory for Buckley are put your foot on the gas right away," Muhammad said on his YouTube channel. "You've got to set the pressure. You've got to set the pace. Usman's been out for two years. He already comes at a slow pace. When he's in those brawls and those bigger, more chaotic fights, he gets hit a lot. Colby Covington landed punches on him. So if I'm Buckley, you've got a lot of power, you've got a lot of speed, you've got a lot of momentum right now. So right when the bell rings, put your foot on the gas and go – making it difficult for Usman to set his pace, catch his rhythm. "No. 2, do not get pushed on the fence. Usman is very good at pushing you on the fence, slowing the fight down, going at his pace, wearing on you, taking you down, making you get back up – wearing on you. He has a lot of five-round experience. So for Buckley, do not keep your back on the fence. If your butt hits the ground, you need to get up quick. Keep it on your feet. That's where your world is. You have a lot of power. You have the speed advantage, and right now you got the momentum." During Wednesday's media day, Usman said he's no longer interested in fighting Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) now that he lost his title. However, Muhammad thinks the pair could be on a collision course if Usman gets past Buckley. "Usman, I think his keys to victory: Obviously, set the pace," Muhammad said. "Don't get out of character. 'Keep it simple, stupid.' Keep your jab. You have a good jab. You have a good pace of pushing guys to the fence and holding them there and making it your speed. Buckley is going to be a lot faster. Slow him down. He's going to be chaotic. You have to have disciplined defense. Don't switch stances left and right – you're not good from southpaw. You get hit a lot. Watch his big head kicks. Usman, I'm cheering for you. I know you said there's nothing there for you with me next, but I want to see you win. Then I want to see you in the cage."
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 69 weigh-in results, live video stream
UFC on ESPN 69 weigh-in results, live video stream ATLANTA – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday's UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+) fighter weigh-ins, which kick off at 9 a.m. PT (6 a.m. PT). Among those weighing in are former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC), who meet in the main event, and former women's strawweight champ Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) and Miranda Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), who fight in the women's flyweight co-feature. The full UFC on ESPN 69 weigh-in results include: MAIN CARD (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET) Kamaru Usman () vs. Joaquin Buckley () Miranda Maverick () vs. Rose Namajunas () Andre Petroski () vs. Edmen Shahbazyan () Raoni Barcelos () vs. Cody Garbrandt () Mansur Abdul-Malik () vs. Cody Brundage () Alonzo Menifield () vs. Oumar Sy () PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
