Bellator 258 results, highlights: Sergio Pettis upsets Juan Archuleta to claim bantamweight title

Pettis joined his brother in earning a major promotional title in his career with the decision over Archuleta

For the first time in his pro career, Sergio Pettis has become the sport of MMA's Pettis brother of note. Pettis (21-5), the younger brother of former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, scored the biggest win of his career on Friday by outpointing Juan Arcuhleta (25-3) to capture the Bellator MMA bantamweight title in the main event of Bellator 258. 

All three judges inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, scored the fight for Pettis by scores of 50-45 and 49-46 (twice). CBS Sports also had it 49-46 for Pettis. 

"It feels great," Pettis said. [Anthony] has been telling me I'm one of the best of the world ever since I started this so to finally win my own belt feels like a dream come true."

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The 27-year-old Pettis, who owns big name victories in the UFC's flyweight division over the last decade before signing with Bellator in 2019, finished his evolution to becoming a complete fighter by largely controlling the pace and terms of this fast-paced yet technical bout. 

Not only was Pettis' takedown defense a huge part of his success against the 33-year-old Archuleta, who was making the first defense of the vacant title he won against Patchy Mix last year, he landed the cleaner counter shots throughout. 

The performance was as mature and disciplined as we have seen from Pettis, who turned pro at just 18 in the shadow of his older brother yet committed to improving his craft despite a handful of defeats. 

"I knew I was just getting the better of the exchanges," Pettis said. "He hit me with good shots but I could tell that my shots were landing cleaner. I was just flowing and it's my night. My takedown defense was on point."

Although Pettis said after the fight he would be willing to make his first title defense against teammate Raufeon Stots, who defeated Josh Hill by decision on Friday's preliminary card, he preferred an opportunity to fight Rizin bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi, who won the Bellator title from Darrion Caldwell in 2019 before vacating it. 

"I would also like to call out Horiguchi. I would love to represent Bellator versus Rizin and it would give me a great opportunity to get my second belt, as well," Pettis said.

CBS Sports was with you throughout the evening for the latest updates, highlights and results from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut with our live blog below. Stay tuned for updates all night long.

Bellator 258 card, results

• Sergio Pettis (c) def. Juan Archuleta via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
• Anthony Johnson def. Jose Augusto via second-round knockout (punches)
• Peter Queally def. Patricky Pitbull via second-round TKO (doctor stoppage)
• Michael Page def. Derek Anderson via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage)
• Raufeon Stots def. Josh Hill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Lorenz Larkin def. Rafael Carvalho via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Patchy Mix def. Albert Morales via third-round submission (arm triangle choke)
• Johnny Eblen def. Daniel Madrid via first-round knockout (punches)
  
• Johnny Campbell def. Henry Corrales via second-round submission (rear naked choke)
• Johnny Soto def. Weber Almeida via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Erik Perez def. Blaine Shutt via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

[May 7, 2021 at 11:19 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Official result: Sergio Pettis def. Juan Archuleta via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)

[May 7, 2021 at 11:16 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Archuleta wobbled again after a heavy left from Pettis as the champion tried to press with offense, likely knowing a stoppage was needed. Archuleta then scored with a huge slam takedown into side control. Archuleta was able to do nothing with the position before Pettis eventually worked back to his feet and the fight came to a close. Unofficial score: 10-9 Pettis (50-45)

[May 7, 2021 at 11:12 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis -- Round 5: Archuleta ate a stiff jab but then scored a takedown, trying to climb on Pettis' back as the challenger stood up. Pettis was able to break free and immediately worked off the double jab. Pettis won another exchange, blasting Archuleta with a sweeping left hand counter.

[May 7, 2021 at 11:10 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Pettis tried for his own takedown, but Archuleta remained upright. Pettis landed a big combination followed by a jab and continued to be the much more effective striker. Again Archuleta was stung by a big right hand. Archuleta scored with a left hand and then ate a knee to the body and another right hand from Pettis. Pettis threw a late cartwheel kick that missed as he got more comfortable with the pattern of Archuleta's offense. Unofficial score: 10-9 Pettis (40-36)

[May 7, 2021 at 11:06 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis -- Round 4: Coming off his best round of the fight, Archuleta opened up with a series of feints before getting caught by a left hand from Pettis. Archuleta scored a takedown but Pettis immediately popped back to his feet. A big right hand from Pettis seemed to wobble Archuleta.

[May 7, 2021 at 11:04 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Archuleta pushed Pettis into the cage, holding the clinch and landing some foot stomps before fishing for a takedown that did not come before Pettis got back to distance. Unofficial score: 10-9 Pettis (30-27)

[May 7, 2021 at 11:01 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis -- Round 3: Archuleta landed a hard right hand and Pettis landed his own counter right in return, that punch coming nearly every time Archuleta chose to let his hands go. Archuleta exploded with a combination only to be met with yet another right hand. Archuleta began mixing up bigger combinations and landed more shots as a result.

[May 7, 2021 at 10:57 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Pettis snapped back the head of Archuleta with a jab and a big left before Archuleta threw his own solid jab and a right hand to the body. Pettis again got his right hand going, using it as a counter several times and drawing blood from the forehead of Archuleta. Archuleta was consistently met by counter right hands in the round. Unofficial score: 10-9 Pettis (20-18)

[May 7, 2021 at 10:55 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Pettis managed to scoot to the cage and stand back up before breaking free of Archuleta's clutches. Archuleta scored with a good jab. Archuleta landed a backfist after missing with a right hand, then dug to the body, though Pettis landed another hard right hand in return.

[May 7, 2021 at 10:54 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis -- Round 2: Archuleta stuck to his movement and then exploded with a combination, digging to the body before coming up top with a good right hand. Archuleta drove through a takedown, putting Pettis on his back where he locked up full guard.

[May 7, 2021 at 10:51 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Pettis landed another right hand as Archuleta tried to get inside. Pettis landed a thudding counter right hand as Archuleta threw to the body, leaving his head open for the Pettis return fire. Pettis' right hand continued to land well for him, turning into his most consistent weapon. Archuleta threw some late leg kicks and a takedown with three seconds left before Pettis reversed at the end of the round. Unofficial score: 10-9 Pettis

[May 7, 2021 at 10:49 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Archuleta scored a takedown and Pettis immediately threatened with a choke, forcing Archuleta to give up position and allow the fight to go back to standing against the cage. Archuleta stayed pinned to the waist of Pettis, looking for the takedown, but Pettis landed some good elbows before escaping and resetting at distance.

[May 7, 2021 at 10:48 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis -- Round 1: Archuleta immediately began to circle from the opening bell, moving and trying to keep Pettis out of range. Both men landed heavy in a wild exchange before Archuleta began to circle once again. Pettis got the better of the next exchange, getting in with a clean right hand before just missing with a head kick.