Nik Lentz dropped down to the UFC featherweight division in 2012 and he remained undefeated in the division with a decision win over Hacran Dias in the final preliminary bout of UFC on FX 8. 
Lentz opened the fight with the first strike and immediately looked for a takedown against the fence. Dias would be able to defend the attempt and breakaway from the fence and the action returned to the middle of the cage. Lentz began to land a volume of punches before looking for a takedown.
Dias was able to reverse the position and take the fight to the ground. However, Lentz was able to switch the position and get in top position on the ground. Dias would get back to his feet and worked his grappling in the final 45 seconds of the round. The round would end with the fighters grappling against the fence.
As the round finished, referee Mario Yamasaki went to the Dias corner to warn him about grabbing the fence and said a point would be deducted if he grabs it again.
As the second round started, Lentz was the fighter coming forward and landed a knee that dropped Diaz. After the knee landed, Lentz was able to get the back of his opponent and began to look for a rear-naked choke.
After being unable to get the submission, Lentz moved to top position and began to land short elbows. He moved to half guard and looked for a submission. Dias was able to get off his back for a moment before Lentz looked for another takedown. He would get the fight to the ground and once again he would have top position. He would transition to the mount position in the final 30 seconds of the round and landed several strikes before the round ended.
Dias came out with a sense of urgency in the final round and was looking for a knockout. After a flurry of punches from Diaz, Lentz looked for a takedown. Dias would be able to stop the takedown and get the fight back to the center of the cage. Dias ended up looking for a takedown and slammed Lentz. However, Lentz grabbed the neck of his opponent and looked for a guillotine choke.
Dias would escape and ended up attempting an arm triangle choke on the ground. Lentz was able to defend the hold and escape. Diaz maintained the position on the ground. Lentz was able to get back to his feet with a minute left in the round and Dias landed a combination. After the combination, Lentz looked for a takedown against the fence and Dias landed short elbows at the end of the round.
All three judges scored the fight for Lentz (24-5-2, 1 NC) with the scores being 28-27, 29-28 and 29-28. This is the first UFC defeat for Dias (21-2-1) and it’s his first defeat since 2009.
UFC on FX 8 Results:
Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:08
Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:34
Paulo Thiago def. Michel Prazeres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:31
Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollett via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-27)
John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:07
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