The second fight on the UFC on FX 8 preliminary card was a flyweight bout between two top ten fighters as Jussier Formiga earned his first UFC victory with a decision over Chris Cariaso.
Formiga (15-2) was able to get the fight to the ground in the first and second round and control the fight. While on the ground, he was able to transition to different positions and was looking to improve his position.
Cariaso struggle to get off his back in the first two round, but was helped out by referee Kevin Mullhall. Even though Formiga was looking to improve his position, Mullhall decided to stand the fighters up on two occasions.
In the final round, Cariaso was able to stop the takedown attempts of Formiga and keep the fight on the feet for a majority of the round. Cariaso attempted a choke as his back was against the fence but Formiga was able to escape.
After being unable to finish the fight with a submission, Cariaso was able to drop Formiga with a punch and opened up a cut on the face of his opponent. The fight would remain on the ground for the rest of the fight but Cariaso was unable to get the finish.
All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Formiga and this is his first win in the UFC. Cariaso (14-5) has now dropped back to back fights in the UFC and is 1-2 as a flyweight in the organization.
UFC on FX 8 Results:
Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lucas Martins def. Jeremy Larsen via KO (punch) – Round 3, :13