UFC 156 Prelims: Evan Dunham Outduels Gleison Tibau; Tyron Woodley KOs Jay Heiron

Tyron Woodley destroyed Jay Hieron at UFC 156. | Donald Miralle/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

A largely forgotten piece of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight puzzle, Dunham outlasted his fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and earned a split decision at UFC 156 “Aldo vs. Edgar” on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. All three cageside judges arrived at a 29-28 verdict, two of them favoring Dunham (14-3, 7-3 UFC).

Tibau (26-9, 10-6 UFC) spent himself in the first round, where he delivered his only takedown and threatened Dunham with a guillotine choke. His advances thwarted, the Brazilian began a slow fade over the final 10 minutes.

Dunham seized control of the bout with his jab and some grueling work in the clinch, further draining Tibau’s reserves with each passing exchange. The 31-year-old Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts representative punctuated his victory with a late flurry, as he blasted the weary Tibau with a pair of knees in the final 15 seconds.

Woodley KOs Hieron in 36 Seconds

A two-time NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri, Woodley let his fists fly. He clipped Hieron (23-7, 0-4 UFC) with an overhand right and swarmed, unleashing a violent torrent of rights and lefts, the last of which rendered his grounded opponent unconscious. Hieron still has never tasted victory in four trips inside the Octagon.

Kimura Choke Submits Camus

Camus buckled the 23-year-old newcomer with a crisp right hand inside the first 30 seconds but inexplicably scrapped the standup game in favor of pursuing takedowns, repeatedly flirting with Kimura’s dangerous guard. The Hawaiian swept him with an omoplata in the first round and nearly locked down an armbar and a triangle choke in the second.

Though Camus escaped those initial attempts, the Duke Roufus protégé was not as fortunate in round three. There, he initiated another ill-advised takedown, only to find himself mounted beneath the crafty Kimura (10-0, 1-0 UFC). Soon after, the Hawaiian transitioned to his back and secured the fight-ending choke.

Rivera Barrage Finishes Figueroa

Figueroa (9-2, 2-2 UFC) had his chances, as he floored the 31-year-old Californian with a clean left hook roughly 90 seconds into the bout. However, he leaped into Rivera’s underrated guard -- a move which allowed time for recovery. As the fight moved into a second frame, Figueroa faded. He struck for an early takedown in the round, but Rivera returned to his feet without absorbing much damage.

Back in an upright position, Rivera went to work. He cracked the Texan with a right hook against the cage and gave chase on his wounded foe, closing the deal with a series of brutal power punches, the last of which forced referee Kim Winslow’s hand.