UFC 170 results, photos: Alexis Davis edges Jessica Eye via split decision

LAS VEGAS – Alexis Davis squeaked out a close victory over a game Jessica Eye, earning a split decision that drew a few boos.

Eye battered Davis with punches but was dominated in grappling exchanges, which led two of three judges to score the bout in favor of Davis.

The bout closed out the preliminary card of today’s UFC 170 event at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.

Eye immediately demonstrated an advantage in hand speed when the two traded punches in the first round, but Davis’ kicks prompted her to initiate a clinch and assert control against the cage. Davis, a jiu-jitsu specialist, had less success when she attempted the same approach, and Eye continued to win exchanges. A takedown put Davis in control on the mat, but time expired before she capitalized.

Davis didn’t wait long to take down Eye in the second and took a slow and measured approach to advancing position. Punches and elbows prompted Eye to move, but she would not expose her neck despite Davis’ repeated efforts to set up a choke.

Davis opted to stand and trade with Eye rather than press the action on the mat, and Eye again worked to counter Davis’ kicks with big punches. Eye’s speed was the deciding factor in final exchanges of the fight, allowing her to avoid a takedown attempt and land combinations at range and in close.

The final tallies had one judge scoring the fight 29-28 in favor of Eye while the remaining two gave Davis the same score.

“I think it’s my time to shine,” Davis said. “I’ve won all three of my fights in the UFC against the top competition. I believe I’ve earned a shot at the title and I’d love the chance to get that belt.”

Davis (16-5 MMA, 3-0 UFC) vocalized her desire for a title shot, and with three straight wins in the division, she’s made a good argument thus far. Eye (10-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who at UFC 166 debuted with a close decision win only to see it overturned due to a positive test for marijuana, technically remains winless in the octagon.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 170 results include:

• Alexis Davis def. Jessica Eye via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Raphael Assuncao def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Aljamain Sterling def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Zach Makovsky def. Josh Sampo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Erik Koch def. Rafaello Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:24
• Ernest Chavez def. Yosdenis Cedeno via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

For complete coverage of UFC 170, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

John Morgan and Matt Erickson contributed to this report on-site in Las Vegas.