The third and final fight of the UFC 135 Facebook undercard is a featherweight contest, Junior Assuncao vs. Eddie Yagin. Assuncao (12-4) returns to the UFC for the first time since 2007, riding high on a six fight win streak. On the other side, Yagin (15-4-1) makes his Octagon debut after defeating Joe Soto to claim the Tachi Palace Fights featherweight title in August. The referee is charge of the action is Josh Rosenthal.
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ROUND 1 - The fighters refuse to touch gloves as the bout begins. Assuncao standing straight on his heels with his hands down. The crowd is growing restless at the minimal action a minute into the round. Both men are tentative, feeling out the range. Assuncao explodes for a takedown and gets it. Yagin rotates his hips and tries for a triangle off his back, but it fails. Assuncao peppers Yagin with a few hammerfists before Yagin kicks him off and stands up. Boos rain down from the crowd with a minute left in the round. Assuncao shoots in and secures another takedown, landing in full guard. The horn sounds and the Denver crowd voices their displeasure to the bewilderment of Assuncao.
MMA Nation scores the round 10-9 Assuncao.
ROUND 2 - Yagin leaps for a flying knee but misses. Assuncao pushes forward and Yagin grazes with a counter knee to the body. Both fighters appear tentative again as the crowd makes their displeasure known. Assuncao rushes in and presses Yagin against the fence. He threatens Yagin's back briefly before disengaging into the center of the cage. The boos start to rain down the loudest they've been thus far. Assuncao lands a stiff leg kick as Yagin misses wildly with a head kick. Yagin misses another one. Assuncao shoots in and secures the takedown but Yagin grabs hold of his neck and wrenches a guillotine. It's in deep. Assuncao waves his finger to signify he's ok and wriggles his way out. The fight hits the feet again and Assuncao circles the center of the cage. The horn sounds.
MMA Nation scores the round 10-9 Assuncao.
ROUND 3 - The fighters touch gloves as the final round begins. Yagin stuffs a takedown and wrestles Assuncao to the ground, but only for a moment as the fight quickly stands back up. Yagin catches a kick and misses with a combination. Assuncao shoots in and attempts to secure a deep arm-in guillotine. Yagin stays patient and works his way out, but is taken down in the process. Assuncao slowly works the ground-and-pound from side control. Yagin is unable to mount any kind of defense. Assuncao starts teeing off and rocks Yagin. Thirty seconds remain in the fight. Assuncao continues to throw unanswered shots as the horn sounds.
MMA Nation scores the round 10-9 Assuncao.
UFC 135 results: Junior Assuncao defeats Eddie Yagin via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27).