UFC Fight Night 31 results, photos: Dennis Bermudez downs Steven Siler

FORT CAMPBELL – No stranger to exciting fights, Dennis Bermudez put in another “Fight of the Night” candidate with a thrilling, three-round win over Steven Siler.

The featherweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 31 event at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on MMAjunkie.com and ahead of a main card on FOX Sports 1.

Bermudez pushed quickly inside on his longer opponent and took the action to the floor. Siler worked back to his feet, and the action was halted briefly when he took a shot to the cup. When Bermudez went to move inside again, he found his neck trapped in a guillotine choke. He patiently worked free, but Siler adjusted and locked in a triangle choke. Bermudez elevated and slammed his way free from that, as well, taking top position and looking to strike. In what launched an incredibly entertaining grappling series, Siler scrambled free and looked to counter before Bermudez locked in his own tight attempt. With Siler’s left arm trapped in the move, he was able to keep himself safe, eventually getting back to his feet in an incredible show of heart.

The high pace continued in the second, as Bermudez looked again to attack from the start. After shucking off another Siler guillotine attempt, he pushed forward and scored a takedown, again setting up in top position. He would keep it for most of the round, cranking on Siler’s neck while enjoying the dominant spot.

Bermudez started quickly again in the third, again giving up his neck as he moved inside but easily escaping from the trouble. The remainder of the third was contested largely on the feet, with both fighters trading shots until Bermudez ducked in for another takedown with 90 seconds remaining. Siler scrambled up once again, and the two went toe-to-toe until the final bell. In the end, there was no doubt who had proven the better fighter, and Bermudez was awarded the decision win, 30-27 on all three cards.

“We went back to the basics, our strengths, because we knew Siler isn’t the best wrestler,” Bermudez said. “In my last few fights, I was standing and trading and taking a lot of damage. I was getting away from what made me successful in this sport. I’m glad I won this fight and didn’t get too beat up in the process.”

Bermudez (12-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) now boasts an impressive five-fight win streak. Siler sees a two-fight win streak snapped (23-11 MMA, 5-2 UFC).

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 31 results include:

• Dennis Bermudez def. Steven Siler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Amanda Nunes def. Germaine De Randamie via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:56
• Lorenz Larkin def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Yancy Medeiros def. Yves Edwards via KO (punches) – Round 1, 2:47
• Seth Baczynski def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Derek Brunson def. Brian Houston via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:48

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 31, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

Dann Stupp contributed to this report on-site at Fort Campbell.