Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis defended his title for the first time at UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler II on Saturday by becoming the first fighter to ever finish Gilbert Melendez. Fighters reacted to Pettis’ title defense on Twitter.
#AndStill the UFC lightweight champion of the world…@ShowtimePettis!!!!! #UFC181 pic.twitter.com/EgaPQhKCTg
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2014
#UFC181 facts: @Showtimepettis earns his 4th straight UFC finish, tying @RondaRousey and @BlessedMMA for longest active finishing streak.
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2014
Damn Pettis is good
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 7, 2014
With that said @TeamKhabib is the best lightweight in the world. Watch and see.
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 7, 2014
Stop hiding him from me, give me my chance,let me have him at any place in April or May. @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @Showtimepettis
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 7, 2014
Awesome fight I would watch again. time to eat my @wheaties great fight @showtimepettis & @gilbertmelendez… http://t.co/D6IPMBSBqe
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) December 7, 2014
@Showtimepettis wooooow!! @ufc!
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) December 7, 2014
Stone cold killer @Showtimepettis #UFC181
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 7, 2014
You gotta give props to Melendez as well for bringing the fight. Fought a great fight and had the right gameplan. #UFC181
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 7, 2014
Gilbert was keeping heavy pressure but Pettis was patient and it paid off #UFC181
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 7, 2014
Pettis is unreal! #UFC181 @Showtimepettis
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) December 7, 2014
Always impressive. Finishing Melendez is legit.
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) December 7, 2014
Every time @Showtimepettis wins, I feel better about him kicking me in the head in Japan. #supposedly #neverhappenned #IdRememberThat
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) December 7, 2014
Man i m so a big fan of @Showtimepettis !!! Awesome performance again !! @ufc
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) December 7, 2014
.@Showtimepettis & brother @sergiopettis both get fight night bonuses in great night for family at #UFC181 pic.twitter.com/iscNFYwxV1
— MMA Mad (@MMAMadOfficial) December 7, 2014
Awesome to see two former @Strikeforce fighters in the #UFC181 title fight. Went 1 -1. Not to bad.
— Cung Le (@CungLe185) December 7, 2014
Awesome fight by @Showtimepettis
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) December 7, 2014
Wow… all hail @Showtimepettis
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 7, 2014
I’m eating my Wheaties! #UFC181
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) December 7, 2014
Great sub from the champ @Showtimepettis @ufc
— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) December 7, 2014
Congrats @showtimepettis so happy for you!!! And great performance by Gil as well!! #UFC181 pic.twitter.com/SC3e5ApUta
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) December 7, 2014
Congrats to my #TUF coach @showtimepettis still the champ! #UFC181 http://t.co/3bCDHeUv7n
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) December 7, 2014
Breakfast of Champions @Showtimepettis #UFC181 pic.twitter.com/5wBnxc6rgE
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) December 7, 2014
@GilbertMelendez keep ur head up brother, I always enjoy ur fights win or lose. You’re a great champion and a great person…
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) December 7, 2014
That was fast.. Adapted & overcame. Melendez had the perfect plan with pressure.
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) December 7, 2014
Mma is all about second(.01) moves n Pettis found that second. Good win for him
— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) December 7, 2014
Hell yeah!! That was nice!! Way to go @Showtimepettis !!
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) December 7, 2014
Our boy!! Still champ !! Congrats bro!! #so proud #roufusport #showtimenation http://t.co/Xsyl0eJyn6
— alan belcher (@alanbelcherufc) December 7, 2014
Finishing @GilbertMelendez is crazy @Showtimepettis is for real @ufc #UFC181
— Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) December 7, 2014
Wow dirty choke
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) December 7, 2014
Man @Showtimepettis is becoming a sub master lol congrats brotha! #andstill
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) December 7, 2014
Pettis won the fight but @GilbertMelendez wins in life. Great sportsmanship and composure. What a high level fight!
— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) December 7, 2014
That sucked ! But I’m still getting a drink. So come join me. Sorry to all my supporters but I’ll come… http://t.co/jH4m7BVrwm
— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) December 7, 2014
Feels good to be back !!! http://t.co/K2JMb0ce1q
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 7, 2014