Edson Barboza hurt Ross Pearson with repeated bombs to the face. Pearson forced a close range fight, but it turns out that Barboza had the sharper shots up close. Barboza deservedly took a split decision after busting up Pearson's face.
Pearson showed why he was considered a contender coming off a 3-0 streak to enter the UFC tonight. It wasn't enough as Barboza managed to adapt his outside striking game to deal with Pearson's inside game. Barboza caught Pearson with hard crushing hooks.
Edson Barboza defeats Ross Pearson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Barboza improves to 3-0 in the UFC and 9-0 overall. Pearson falls to 12-5, 4-2 UFC. Barboza will look to enter contention level fights after getting this big win. Pearson will likely hope to be booked on the next UK card. He should be safe from getting cut after a potential Fight of the Night performance at UFC 134.