Anthony Pettis Must Build a Sound Wrestling Prowess

Anthony Pettis was hoping to get back to the win column, after which, he was hoping to fight the winner of Rafael dos Anjos vs. Conor McGregor. However, fifteen minutes after his fight with Eddie Alvarez began, Pettis was devastated. He clapped his hands together and gave respect where is it was due. Nonetheless, he was disappoint with the judges decision and he was disappoint with the fact a fighter could walk into the octagon, shoot for takedowns all night, hold his opponent down or against the cage, and walk away with the victory.

Indeed, Anthony Pettis isn’t the only one who is disappointed with how his fight played out. Thousand of mixed martial arts fan undoubtedly agree that Alvarez did next to nothing significant with his takedowns or takedown attempts/clinch work. And, that alone means, in their opinion, that Alvarez didn’t deserve the split-decision victory.

Both men showed up ready for battle. They were in shape and prepared to implement their game plans. Alvarez, however, was able to exert his game plan more effectively than Pettis could his own. It’s no doubt Pettis stole the show from a striking stand point. Alvarez, to his credit, kept the striking battle close. He was able to use his sound boxing to get inside the pocket and connect with some hooks, kicks of his own, and push the pace.

Pettis, unsurprisingly, had the crisper and more accurate strikes. Once “Showtime” was able to establish his range he battered Alvarez with kicks and punishing straights, some of which seemed to hurt the Blackzilian on occasion. Needless to say, when the “mixed” was added to martial arts, Pettis really had no answer.

Alvarez was able to takedown Pettis six times throughout the fight and at various times within some of those six takedowns, he was able to work strikes on the ground or against the fence. The simple fact of the matter is Alvarez was able to control the pace, control the octagon, and control his opponent for three rounds. Like it or not, the fight was close, but not as close as some may think.

Shortly, after the fight, Pettis took to Instagram to proclaim, though he quickly deleted it, he was ready for not just another fight, but a real fight. The thing is, Pettis was in a real fight, and though he had his moments, he just wasn’t able to get the ball rolling long enough to take over the fight and win the decision. Clay Guida laid out the blue print in 2011 and the lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, executed it with flare. All Alvarez did was try to emulate that blue print. His only problem was that he couldn’t dominate Pettis like the lightweight champion did.

Anthony Pettis deserves much credit for this. He made Alvarez work for some his takedowns and he was able to stuff more than a few takedown attempts. It was an improvement form his last fight but not too significant.

Pettis must, and I’m more than certain he will, go back to the drawing board and work this wrestling thing out. He’s been taken down 20 times in his three UFC losses and he is wrong if he believes the top dogs in the division aren’t going to try and grind him down. With the exception of Donald Cerrone and maybe Tony Ferguson, the top five is loaded with sharks who are no strangers to applying an oppressive offensive wrestling clinic. I’m talking about shooting for takedown after takedown or working for takedown after takedown from the clinch. These guys know how to close the distance and drag down their foes into deep waters.

Pettis is an incredible striker, in fact, he is one of the best in the division and maybe in the entire UFC roster. His jiu jitsu is slick and deadly smooth. But…his defensive wrestling is weak, intermediate at best in the level he is competing at. While, it may not be the most exciting form of combat, wrestling has always prevailed as one of the most effective forms of martial arts in professional MMA. It is tiring, grueling, gritty, and demanding and it is not granted the respect it deserves.

Obviously, there are times when a fighter is taking advantage and resting while holding down an opponent instead working for better control and positioning. In those cases, wrestling should not be judged as a good mark. But, when a fighter is working for a takedown, controlling his opponent, and looking for better positioning said fighter should be rewarded; but at what extent, is a whole another matter for another discussion. Anyways, at the end of day, I believe Alvarez used his wrestling to neutralize, control, and find better positioning over Pettis. It wasn’t the pretties or most exciting method; but, against, Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, it is what you do to avoiding becoming another finish on his record.

Let’s get to work on those wrestling chops Anthony…

https://youtu.be/zawmRImtruA