With a kick that was felt throughout the MMA world, Anthony “Showtime” Pettis put a stamp on his five-round victory over Ben “Smooth” Henderson to become WEC Lightweight Champion at WEC 53 on December 16th. Pettis enters the 155-pound ranks and should challenge for UFC gold in 2011.
In December women’s bouts, Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii rebounded from the first loss of her career by defeating Emi Fujino at SRC: “Soul of Fight,” while her top protégé Ayaka Hamasaki became the first Jewels Lightweight Queen Champion with a pair of impressive victories at Jewels: “Eleventh Ring.”
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, tonight with a New Year’s card at UFC 125: “Resolution.” The event was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout between Frankie “The Answer” Edgar and Gray “The Bully” Maynard.