CHICAGO – Sergio Pettis (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) nearly finished Joseph Benavidez (25-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) early but had to settle in for the long haul, using sharp counters and great takedown defense to edge the perennial contender.

The flyweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 225 event at United Center in Chicago. It streamed on UFC Fight Pass ahead of additional prelims on FS1 and a main card on pay-per-view.

Benavidez opened the action with several sharp leg kicks before driving forward with punches and looking to grapple. Pettis stood firm in the face of the attacks and landed a clean left hand counter that sent Benavidez quickly to the canvas. While clearly stunned, Benavidez retreated and gathered his wits before driving forward and taking the action to the canvas, setting up in Pettis’ guard.

Working against the cage, Pettis was able to get to a standing position, eventually pulling free and returning to the center. Benavidez’s left eye was damaged early, and the two went back to work on the feet. Benavidez remained the aggressor, mixing in punches and kicks on all levels, but Pettis’ counters were sharp and continued to find their mark, and the action remained high until the bell.

Benavidez pushed forward to start the second and seemed to add some power to his punches. Benavidez looked for a takedown, getting inside on the legs, but Pettis was able to defend against the fence and eventually pull free. Benavidez quickly punches his way into another clinch but again found himself unsuccessful in earning a takedown. The two were evenly matched on the feet, trading punches from all angles, and even mixing in a few acrobatic kicks, as well.

Benavidez continued to hunt the takedown throughout, but Pettis thwarted every attempt.

Benavidez opened the third with a continued barrage of power punches, though Pettis absorbed them well and looked clean in his replies. Benavidez ducked and dodged his way into the pocket, but his takedown attempts were again tossed aside. Benavidez suffered a cut on his right shin, and the blood trailed down his own leg, as well as Pettis’ left after it was kicked a few times.

Benavidez continued to press forward, and a Pettis knee inside seemed to wobble his foe briefly. Pettis took advantage of the moment by grabbing the neck but couldn’t finish with the standing guillotine. Benavidez seemed to slow a bit in the latter stages of the round, but that didn’t stop his forward movement, including a key takedown in the final minute. Still, Pettis refused to stay on the ground, immediately rising back to his feet, and the two traded punches until the bell.

In the end, it was Pettis who was awarded the victory on two of the three judges’ cards, taking home the split-decision win with scores of 28-29, 29-28 and 30-27.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 225 results include:

• Sergio Pettis def. Joseph Benavidez via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
• Charles Oliveira def. Clay Guida via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:18
• Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:50

For complete coverage of UFC 225, check out the UFC Events section of the site.