UFC 181: Pettis vs. Melendez Round by Round Recap and Analysis

Anthony Pettis retained his UFC lightweight title in his first defense with a guillotine finish of Gilbert Melendez.

The co-main event of UFC 181 was shaping up to be a back-and-forth classic, but Pettis got a guillotine in on Melendez rolled over into mount and got the tap. It was over in the blink of an eye just how Pettis took the title from Benson Henderson.

Melendez admitted in the post-fight interview that it was a punch against the fence that stunned him and led to the finish. He tried to get the takedown after feeling the power of Pettis, and the champion took the opportunity to lock in the submission.

Pettis defends and enters 2015 as the class of the division.

Here is a quick look at the round-by-round recap of the UFC 181 co-main event.

Round 1

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Melendez comes out and pressures Pettis right away. He clinches with Pettis against the fence. Pettis is defending the takedown well. Pettis breaks the kick, throws a high kick, it's blocked, and Melendez gets a quick takedown.

Pettis right back up. Melendez grinding on Pettis.

Melendez gets one hook in standing. Melendez working constantly to avoid a break from John McCarthy. Pettis tries to break the grip and turn into Melendez. He breaks.

Melendez right back to pressuring Pettis. Another takedown. Melendez stacking Pettis. The champion working his way back up. 90 seconds to go in the first round. They are back to the feet. Pettis throws a spinning back kick to the body, but Melendez closes the distance again.

Melendez throws a combination, but nearly eats a devastating left hook. Melendez has his shot stuffed. Pettis with a flying knee. Melendez pressures Pettis back to the fence with 30 seconds remaining. A high pace Melendez is setting. Body kick from Pettis.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 Melendez

Round 2

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Melendez right out to the center of the cage, Pettis circling.

Melendez lands a couple good punches on his way in, but Pettis circles away from the clinch. Pettis tags Melendez. The challenger goes for a single leg takedown. He abandons the team and starts throwing wild punches. Pettis lands a counter again.

Melendez with a good combination from the clinch before they break. Front kick lands from Pettis. Melendez in and out with Pettis against the fence. Pettis lands again, Melendez shoots in and Pettis sinks in a guillotine! Melendez taps! Wow!

Official Result: Anthony Pettis defeats Gilbert Melendez via submission (guillotine) at 1:53 of the second round