UFC Results: Assuncao Bests Sterling, Scores The Split Decision Win

Raphael Assuncao and Aljamain Sterling got their bantamweight bout underway quickly, but it reached a quick halt in the middle of the round when Sterling ate a devastating kick below the belt. Sterling took his time to recover and Assuncao was not punished for the strike as it was an accident.

The pace of the fight slowed down greatly after the low-blow with Assuncao controlling the center of the cage. No fighter took control of the action in the first, and another low blow at the start of the second would slow down the pace even further. Assuncao tried his hardest to get inside a comfortable striking range of Sterling, but he failed to connect with any stiff shots.

Sterling tried his hardest to close the distance and fire off a takedown attempt, but Assuncao did just enough to keep him at bay and keep him thinking about shooting in.

Again, at the start of the third round Sterling tried hard to close the distance in order to land some shots within a close distance. He found some success in the middle of the third cracking Assuncao with short hooks, but he stood straight and kept pressing forward despite the punishment. Sterling would set up takedown attempts with beautiful combinations and even though Assuncao was stuffing them, it favored Sterling to keep doing it as he connected with the strikes often.

Rafael Assuncao def. Aljamain Sterling by way of Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)