UFC 134: Ross Pearson Vs. Edson Barboza

Both men look ready to go as they head to the cage. Their lightweight contest will be reffed by Mario Yamasaki.

Round 1: They touch gloves and waste no time engaging. Barboza lands one of the leg kicks he's becoming famous for. Pearson is really pressuring Barboza early, keeping him countering and on his heels. Neither man able to run away with things early, but it's Pearson pressing the action. Barboza lands a front kick. Pearson grabs the clinch briefly after landing a combo. Barboza with a crushing back kick to Pearson's body. Real Deal shakes it off and keeps on coming. Barboza gets tagged with a left hand from Pearson during an exchange. Pearson doing well fighting like a bully; he's preventing Barboza from really getting loose. Pearson goes hard to the body. Pearson drops for a takedown against the fence, but Barboza avoids it.

FightLine.com scores the round 10-9 for Pearson

Round 2: Barboza catches a kick, rips one of his own and drops Pearson with a thunderous overhand right. Real Deal gets right back to his feet, though. Barboza with a sick hook to the liver. Pearson has recovered, but Barboza seems to have found his rhythm. Barboza deftly avoids a takedown attempt by Pearson. Despite the early damage, Pearson is still keeping the pressure on. Barboza landing frequently with a counter right hand. Barboza is landing the more effective shots as Pearson presses forward. A pair of kicks score for Barboza.

FightLine.com scores the round 10-9 for Barboza

Round 3: Pearson pressing forward again, while Barboza looks to counter. He lands the spinning back kick again, then lands a snapping switch kick to the body. Barboza goes for the flying knee and avoids Pearson's subsequent takedown attempt. Pearson drops for the takedown again, but Barboza defends successfully. Pearson with some swelling over the left eye. Neither man is exactly running away with this round. Barboza avoids another takedown and lands a glancing spinning back kick. Barboza sends home a hard leg kick and Pearson follows up with a pair of punches. Barboza clocks Pearson with an uppercut-left hook that opens a cut up over his right eye immediately. Another spinning back kick for Barboza before he is denied on a takedown.

FightLine.com scores the round 10-9 for Barboza

Edson Barboza defeated Ross Pearson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

From here, Barboza just wants to fight more and improve his position in the division.