Was Anthony Pettis' Super Kick Staged? Debunking the Myth

Anthony Pettis, often referred to as 'Cowboy,' boasts an incredible collection of highlights that showcase his immense skill and athleticism. One of his most spectacular feats occurred during a 2011 World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) match against Pat Hendrick. Pettis delivered a stunning super kick that knocked Hendrick out. The question often arises, was this super kick staged? Let's explore the evidence and debunk the myth.

The Incident

During the WEC event in 2011, Pettis and Hendrick had a heated exchange at the end of the second round. There were allegations that Pettis aimed for Hendrick's head but missed and caught him in the stomach instead. This incident sparked the debate about whether the super kick was a deliberate attempt to knock out Hendrick or merely a mis aimed kick.

Anthony Pettis' Fighting Style

Pettis is known for his agility and the unpredictability in his striking range. He frequently lands unconventional kicks and stagger his opponents, such as the humiliating Superman punch off the cage, which sent Matt Hughes flying. Given his history of landing hit-and-miss techniques, it's plausible he could have executed the super kick without intending to knock Hendrick out. However, the targeted and precise nature of the kick raises questions about whether it was deliberate.

WEC Versus UFC

It's worth noting that artificial and staged fights were rampant in the early days of mixed martial arts (MMA). Events like the WEC and much of the UFC's early catalog were riddled with scandals, including allegations of staged fights, drugs, and corruption. While WEC did have higher standards than some of its competitors, it was certainly not immune to scandals.

The fact that WEC was not known to stage fights does not entirely exonerate the incident. Pettis' kick was certainly suspicious enough to merit further investigation. However, after thorough examination, no evidence has been presented to suggest that the strike was anything but an authentic and powerful kick. Post-fight interviews and footage from the event do not indicate any tampering or staging.

Evidence Against Staging

Several factors point towards the super kick being an authentic and well-executed technique:

The impact: The super kick was powerful enough to knock an opponent out, suggesting it hit its intended target. Technical style: Pettis' unorthodox and dynamic style makes him unpredictable, and this incident fits his profile. Post-fight interviews: Both fighters and their respective camps did not mention anything fishy about the fight. Available footage: Videos from the event show the kick landing and its aftermath without any signs of tampering or editing.

Conclusion

While it's natural to question the authenticity of such a spectacular highlight in a sport where stories of staged fights are unfortunately not uncommon, the evidence against Anthony Pettis' super kick being staged is strong. The practical considerations, Pettis' fighting style, and the available footage all point to this as a genuine and powerful strike that knocked down Pat Hendrick.

While the question of staging exists in certain corners of MMA, it is essential to separate the rumor from the reality. WEC's practices, while not perfect, were not as frequently riddled with scandal as some of its competitors. Pettis's history and the available evidence all support the idea that this was a genuine fight where he executed a powerful kick that hit its mark.