The fight was very close, with Stephens taking round 1 and Pettis round 2. With the fight even, it came down to the third. Both men put a lot into the final round, but Pettis was able to just barely pull ahead in the eyes of two judges. We saw a bit of the trademark Pettis flashiness throughout the fight, but it was improved wrestling game that gave him the win here. Obviously this is an area Pettis has worked since being outwrestled by Clay Guida in his UFC debut.
What was the high spot of this fight?
It was a good fight, but low on big moments. The highlight for a stand-up fan like me was Pettis's nice leg kick, then head kick early in round 3. It was a small moment, but had a perfect set-up and delivery.
Where do these guys go from here?
Pettis was the theoretical #1 contender at one point, but that Guida loss really threw him down the ladder. This was a good win, but a split decision victory over Stephens is unlikely to get him right back up to the top. But his next fight should be a real challenge. Personally, I'd love to see him take on Edson Barboza, but Joe Lauzon would also work after tonight's win.
Stephens is the kind of fighter who will forever be just there. He's a perfectly fine stop-gap opponent for literally almost anyone in the division.
Watch it now, later, or never?
Later. It was a good fight, and good to see Pettis win, but not a must watch.
More BE coverage of UFC 136 in the full entry.
UFC 136 Results: Post-Hangover Thoughts and Reactions - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Results: Frankie Edgar Embodies Rocky's Message in Win Over Gray Maynard - Leland Roling
UFC 136 Results: Aldo vs. Florian, Phan vs. Garcia FightMetric Reports - Mike Fagan
UFC 136 Results: Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva II Will Produce Massive Interest Despite Skepticism - Leland Roling
UFC 136 Results: Dana White Says Frankie Edgar Is Top 2 Pound-for-Pound, Wants Him to Face Jose Aldo - Anton Tabuena
UFC 136 Results: Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard Post-Fight Recap and Analysis - Mike Fagan
UFC 136 Results: Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian Fight Video Highlights
UFC 136 Results: Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard 3 Fight Video Highlights
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 88: UFC 136 Results Review
UFC 136 Results: Frankie Edgar Stops Gray Maynard In Four - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Live Results and Play-by-Play for PPV Fights - Brent Brrokhouse
UFC 136 Results: Jose Aldo Decisions Kenny Florian - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Results: Chael Sonnen Challenges Anderson Silva After Dominating Brian Stann - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Results: Nam Phan Wins Decision Over Leonard Garcia - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Results: Joe Lauzon Makes Quick Work of Melvin Guillard - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Live Results and Play-by-Play For Spike TV Fights - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Results: Demian Maia Decisions Jorge Santiago - Leland Roling
UFC 136 Results: Anthony Pettis Narrowly Edges Jeremy Stephens - Leland Roling
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Live Results and Play-by-Play for Facebook Fights - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Results: Stipe Miocic Makes Successful Debut, Edges Joey Beltran - Leland Roling
UFC 136 Results: Darren Elkins Out Grapples Tiequan Zhang, Wins Decision - Leland Roling
UFC 136 Results: Aaron Simpson Dominates Eric Schafer - Leland Roling
UFC 136 Results: Mike Massenzio Batters Steve Cantwell, Takes Unanimous Decision - Leland Roling