Pettis submits Oliveira to cap off sensational featherweight debut

Anthony Pettis is bringing "Showtime" to the featherweight division.

In a Fight of the Year candidate, Pettis had to use every trick in his arsenal to outlast and eventually submit Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Charles Oliveira with a guillotine choke in the third round of the UFC on FOX 21 co-main event on Saturday in Vancouver.

Pettis was competing at 145 pounds for the first time in his career after losing his last three fights at lightweight, a division he once ruled over. He kicks off a fresh start with his third submission win in the Octagon.

Predicting a Pettis submission win would have been absurd given Oliveira's strategy from the opening bell. "Do Bronx" immediately went to grab Pettis' leg and work for a takedown, which he managed to score after an opening struggle. However, Pettis reversed into Oliveira's guard before resetting the action on the feet.

Pettis battered Oliveira in the stand-up, dropping him with a kick to the body. Oliveira managed to survive the follow-up flurry of punches and make it to the second round.

Despite having to take plenty of shots to get close to Pettis, Oliveira persisted and eventually made his way back to control. He threatened Pettis with a rear-naked choke, but Pettis stayed calm and fended off the hold.

In Round 3, it looked like Oliveira would finally be able to work his submission game after he connected with an early takedown. But it was Pettis who attacked with an armbar off of his back. Oliveira escaped, and when he went to resume the grappling it ended up being his undoing.

Pettis caught Oliveira as he came in for a takedown and wrapped him up in a guillotine choke that forced the exhausted fighter to tap.

The No. 6-ranked Oliveira loses for just the second time in his past seven contests.