UFC 246 results: Diego Ferreira taps out ex-champ Anthony Pettis for sixth win in a row

Diego Ferreira earned his sixth win in a row at UFC 246 but this is likely the biggest victory of his career.

The Brazilian put on a ground clinic before submitting former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis with a rear naked choke in the second round. The end came at 1:46 into round two as Pettis tapped out after Ferreira locked on the submission.

“That’s pretty good to see my work got done,” Ferreira said following the win. “Right now I see the process and the results. I’m super happy.

While he had to fend off some striking attempts from Pettis in the opening exchanges, Ferreira was quick to close the distance and take away his opponent’s best weapons. Without any room to throw his signature kicks, Pettis was forced to deal with a grappling heavy attack from Ferreira throughout the first round and the onslaught only continued into the second.

Ferreira set up his takedowns by first latching onto Pettis’ back while still standing and then dragging the fight into his world on the ground. From there it was a pure Brazilian jiu-jitsu clinic as Ferreira advanced his position and then saw an opening to slip his forearm under Pettis’ chin.

As the submission got tighter, the wince on Pettis’ face was undeniable and he was forced to tap out.

Ferreira has now won six straight in arguably the UFC’s deepest division and it’s going to be awfully hard to deny him a ranked opponent after dispatching an ex-champ like Pettis in less than two rounds. As for Pettis, he’s now dropped back-to-back fights with the submission loss to Ferreira after falling to Nate Diaz last August.