The final fight on the UFC on FOX 8 preliminary card on Facebook was a lightweight bout as Justin Salas was able to score a split decision victory over Aaron Riley.
The action opened with Riley being able to take control of the cage and the fighters exchanged punches. Within the first minute of the fight, Salas had swelling under his right eye and Riley began to target that eye.
As Riley was pushing the fight, Salas was able to take the fight to the ground but Riley would get right back to his feet. They continued to strike with each other and Salas landed a punch and kick combination that stunned Riley.
Riley continued to come forward and landing multiple strikes as Salas circled around the cage. Once again, Salas would take the fight to the ground but Riley would get right back to his feet. They would continue to strike until the end of the round with Salas landing a front kick in the final 15 seconds of the round.
In the second round, Salas was able to take the fight to the ground in the first 15 seconds but once again, Riley was able to get right back to his feet. As the fighters moved around the cage and strikes, Salas clinched Riley against the fence and landed several knees to the body.
After the fighters separated from the cage, Salas continued to land strikes and blood began to flow out of the nose of Riley. They would strike with each other until the end of the round and the fight moved into the third and final round.
Riley continued to come straight at Salas in the final round with Salas landing counter strikes and landing strikes at a high percentage. While they were exchanging punches, Salas accidentally poked Riley in the right eye and the action was paused for a moment. Riley was able to continue and they continued to strike with Riley coming at Salas.
In the final minute of the fight, Riley landed a left head kick and opened up the cut by the right eye of Salas. Riley looked for another head kick but Salas was able to duck the kick. The fight would end with each fighter throwing punches and the judges will decide the winner.
Two of the three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Salas (11-4) and he has now won two of his three fights in the UFC. Riley (30-14-1) has now lost back to back fights and this was his first fight since he broke his jaw at UFC 135 in September of 2011.
UFC on FOX 8 Results:
Justin Salas def. Aaron Riley via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Yaotzin Meza def. John Albert via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:49