This is the UFC Norfolk live blog for Dustin Poirier vs. Anthony Pettis, a lightweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va.
Poirier, who is 3-1 with one no-contest over his last five fights, will face Pettis, who has won two of his last five fights, in the main event.
Check out the UFC Norfolk live blog below.
Round 1: Massive fight here for the lightweight division. A lot riding on this for both men. Can Anthony Pettis reclaim his spot among the 155-pound elite or will Dustin Poirier move closer to title contention? We’re about to find out. They touch ‘em up and we’re off. Poirier presses forward from the outset while Pettis circles. Pettis lunges inside with a flying knee that barely misses. Poirier wades forward with his jab, then changes levels and dumps Pettis to the floor. Nice takedown there from Poirier, as Pettis sits up against the fence. Pettis grabs a kimura but can’t do anything with it. Poirier settles into top position, then stands and gets swept by Pettis! The fight retakes the feet and Pettis scores with a standing elbow. Sharp counter left lands flush for Pettis. Poirier just misses, then ducks under for another takedown attempt. Pettis defends this one. Pettis goes high with a kick and gets wobbled by a hard counter from Poirier. Pettis shakes it off but his left eye is a mess. Poirier unloads with a big right hand. Poirier is headhunting now. Another huge salvo connects for Poirier against the fence! The horn saves Pettis from a bad situation. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Poirier.
Round 2: Pettis meets Poirier in the center of the cage with a few jabs. Poirier eats another jab after missing with a low kick. Poirier dives in hard on a double-leg attempt against the fence. He hoists Pettis into the air and slams him down, settling inside Pettis’ guard. Pettis starts working towards a triangle, and it’s getting close! Poirier unloads with punches from top position and makes Pettis rethink his strategy. Pettis tries to scramble but Poirier takes his back and locks up a body triangle! Blood is pouring into Pettis’ eyes. This is a bad spot. Unbelievable — Pettis spins into top position and begins unloading some hard elbows of his own! Poirier scrambles. Pettis tries to seize Poirier’s back but is so bloody that he slides off, allowing Poirier to reclaim top position. Another scramble and this time the fight retakes the feet! This is wild. Everything is so slippery in there, Pettis slides off another clinch as Poirier takes top position. The referee stops this one — the doctors want to check out Pettis’ cut. Blood is pouring into his eyes. The doctors clean Pettis up and the action continues with Poirier inside of Pettis’ guard. Pettis throws up another triangle attempt, and this one is tight! Oh my goodness, Poirier slips out. This is ridiculous. Poirier traps Pettis’ arm and starts hammering away with punches. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Poirier. (20-18 Poirier.)
Round 3: Pettis’ face is a bloody mess. Poirier blocks a head kick. Poirier changes levels and shoots for a double-leg against the fence. Once again, he gets it. Pettis briefly works toward a kimura, then stands and rolls, but holds on and takes his back. Poirier wraps up another body triangle and starts working towards a rear-naked. Poirier transitions into mount! And that’s it, that’s the fight! I’m not even sure what happened. Poirier storms over to Sean Shelby and demands the Alvarez-Gaethje winner. Upon looking at the replay, it appears Pettis injured his ribs when Poirier took mount. An unfortunate finish to an extremely entertaining fight.
UFC Norfolk results: Dustin Poirier def. Anthony Pettis via submission (injury) at 2:08 of round 3