Tonight’s UFC Fight Night 54 co-main event featured a key bantamweight battle that saw Raphael Assuncao (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) earn a decision win over Bryan Caraway (19-7 MMA, 4-2 UFC).

Assuncao started the fight off quickly, landing a solid leg kick and a hard right hand. Caraway would respond with some good uppercuts from the clinch. Both fighters would land some decent strikes before Assuncao eventually scored a takedown. Brian would bounce right back up however, and round 1 would end with both men on their feet.

Assuncao landed a big right hand to begin round 2. Caraway responded by scoring a takedown 2 minutes in but was unable to keep Assuncao on the mat. Caraway would score another solid double-leg takedown later in the round but again would fail to maintain top position. Assuncao would land a nice heel kick to close out round 2.

Caraway was forced to eat some solid knees to begin round 3. Brian’s left eye was badly swollen as a result. The bantamweights would battle in the clinch for a minute before separating in order to exchange punches. Assuncao would begin to pull away in the second half of round 3, as Caraway looked visibly tired and hurt.

After 15 minutes of action, there was no doubt that Assuncao had done enough to get the nod over Caraway.

The win marked Assuncao’s seventh-straight victory and places him in prime position for a UFC bantamweight title shot.