UFC 170 results, photos: Raphael Assuncao tops Pedro Munhoz for sixth straight

LAS VEGAS – The changing colors of Raphael Assuncao’s thigh suggested that he learned why Pedro Munhoz was such a highly touted newcomer.

However, Assuncao’s experience and striking game proved to be too much in the end, as the Brazilian notched a unanimous-decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

The bantamweight bout was part of 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.

Assuncao seemed to have trouble with Munhoz’s leg kicks early on, but it was Assuncao’s heavy hooks and stiff leads that really made the difference. As he picked apart Munhoz in the later rounds, the UFC newcomer seemed to retreat into a defensive shell that only made him more vulnerable to Assuncao’s attacks.

For his first fight in the big show, it was in many ways a strong performance for Munhoz. It just wasn’t quite good enough.

“Every guy I’ve beaten has been on a winning streak,” Assuncao said. “Every guy was coming off damn good wins when I beat them. I’m not going to change who I am or the way I promote fights just to get a title shot, but I think I’ve done plenty to earn that shot. I’m ready to go if that’s what the UFC wants.”

Assuncao (22-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC) has now won six straight fights in the UFC. Munhoz (10-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffers the first loss of his pro career with the defeat.

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

• 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.