UFC 162 results/photos: Mike Pierce floors David Mitchell for fourth straight

LAS VEGAS – Mike Pierce was well on his way to a snoozer of a win when his hands did the job quicker.

Pierce smothered David Mitchell before landing a left hand that set the end in motion midway through the second frame.

The welterweight bout opened up today’s UFC 162 event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It streamed on Facebook ahead of additional prelims on FX and a main card on pay-per-view.

From the opening bell, Pierce refused to let Mitchell get any space to strike, and the two spent the bulk of the first frame in the clinch. Mitchell did what he could from in close, winging punches at Pierce’s sides and kneeing the legs. A few times, Pierce gave space and landed punches, but his game plan was clear.

It was not an appealing way to start the event, but there were few in the stands to watch.

Pierce put Mitchell back against the cage in the second before landing the left hand that stiffened his opponent’s legs and set him to the mat. More punches prompted Steve Mazzagatti to intervene at the 2:55 mark of the frame.

“I came here tonight to prove something, get noticed and deliver, and I think I did that in the second round,” Pierce said. “I think this win is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Pierce (17-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC) now boasts four wins in a row despite being a preliminary-card staple. Mitchell (12-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC), who spoke of possible retirement prior to the bout, is now 1-3 in the octagon.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 162 results include:

• Mike Pierce def. David Mitchell via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:55

For complete coverage of UFC 162, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

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