Kiwi Israel Adesanya remains perfect, but he had to work hard at UFC Fight Night in Glendale Arizona.
'The Last Stylebender' was on the right side of a split decision win over Italian Marvin Vettori in a highly competitive fight, the longest in Adesanya's 13-fight mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
The Nigerian born striker looked at ease during the first two rounds, preventing Vettori from securing a takedown and picking him apart with his striking.
The Italian headed to his corner after two rounds bloodied, but he replied well in the final frame, eventually hauling the Kiwi to the ground but couldn't finish the fight.
Adesanya scored the first two rounds on two of the judges' scorecards which was enough to get his second UFC win.
Post fight, the 24-year-old was frustrated with his performance, giving credit to his opponent for withstanding his offence then pleaded with UFC boss Dana White to book him in another fight as soon as possible.
The win follows a comprehensive finish of Australian Rob Wilkinson earlier this year.
Vettori is the first of 13 to last all three rounds with the Auckland based kickboxing wiz.
Newshub.
