UFC on FOX 23 results: Raphael Assuncao outpaces Aljamain Sterling for close split decision

DENVER – Raphael Assuncao edged out Aljamain Sterling by the slimmest of margins after three painfully close rounds.

But after a tactical fight where both men seemed to want to hang back and counter, Assuncao (24-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) got the nod from the judges, beating Sterling (12-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) via split-decision with scores of 28-29, 29-28, and 29-28.

The bantamweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC on FOX 23 event at Pepsi Center in Denver. It aired on FS1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on FOX.

It was no surprise that the result was tough to call, especially considering that every round seemed up for grabs as it entered the final minute. Assuncao often assumed the role of the reluctant leader, going first with leg kicks and right hands, with Sterling looking to feint and counter.

Sterling may have also been slowed by a pair of early groin kicks, only of which got the attention of referee Tim Mills. After a pause in the action due to the low blow in the first, Assuncao caught Sterling in the groin again in the second, only to have Mills refuse to stop the fight for him.

Fortunately for Sterling, Assuncao proved to be a good sport, giving him time to recover. But when the action resumed, neither man was able to make his case with any great clarity. Instead, they took turns sniping at each other from a distance, with Assuncao occasionally scoring hard rights and Sterling too often coming up short.

The fight appeared to be a toss-up as it headed to the judges, and the scores reflected that. Two of three gave the fight to Assuncao, much to the dismay of Sterling, who sank to his knees and buried his face against the mat after the decision was read.

The victory is Assuncao’s first since his unanimous decision loss to T.J. Dillashaw in July. Sterling has now lost two straight, the only two defeats of his pro career.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on FOX 23 results include:

• Raphael Assuncao def. Aljamain Sterling via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Li Jingliang def. Bobby Nash via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 4:45
• Jordan Johnson def. Luis Henrique da Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Eric Spicely def. Alessio Di Chirico via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:14
• Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Jeremy Kimball via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:27
• Alexandre Pantoja def. Eric Shelton via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Jason Gonzalez def. J.C. Cottrell via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 3:54

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 23, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan and Steven Marrocco contributed to this report on site in Vancouver.)