, getting better as the fight went on and looking good in his first featherweight fight.
In the early going Assuncao, the better grappler of the two, was able to impose his will on Pearson and control the pace and location of the fight. It appeared that Assuncao was going to stay in command and cruise to a decision.
But as the fight wore on Pearson looked fresher, and he began to land solid punches that marked up Assuncao's face. By the time the third round ended, Pearson had done enough to turn the tide that he ended up winning the decision.
record to 13-5. Assuncao now has the same record, dropping to 13-5.
has worked hard to promote. That's going to be easier now that he's fighting at the right weight -- Pearson belongs at featherweight, and he's now 1-0 at 145 pounds.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Dong Hyun Kim def. Sean Pierson via unanimous decision at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Sean Pierson takes a breather at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Dong Hyun Kim punches Sean Pierson at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Dong Hyun Kim throws a front kick at Sean Pierson at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Efrain Escudero attempts a choke on Jacob Volkmann at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Efrain Escudero throws a punch at Jacob Volkmann at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Jacob Volkmann throws a punch en route to a decision win over Efrain Escudero at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Diego Nunes throws a kick at Manvel Gamburyan en route to a unanimous decision win at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Diego Nunes kicks Manvel Gamburyan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Diego Nunes punches over Manvel Gamburyan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Danny Castillo def. Anthony Njokuani via split decision at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Anthony Njokuani throws a kick at Danny Castillo at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Anthony Njokuani throws a knee at Danny Castillo at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Danny Castillo takes down Anthony Njokuani at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Danny Castillo takes down Anthony Njokuani at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
UFC Octagon girl Brittney Palmer carries the round three card at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Junior Assuncao tries to get on top of Ross Pearson at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson charges Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson clinches and knees Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Ross Pearson throws a knee at Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Jimy Hettes punches Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Jimy Hettes takes down Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Jimy Hettes ground and pounds Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Jimy Hettes ground and pounds Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch via 12-second KO at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Jon Fitch stunned at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Johny Hendricks celebrates his win over Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Johny Hendricks knocks out Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson celebrates his win over Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson knocks out Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson knocks out Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson knocks out Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone lands a punch on Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Donald Cerrone keeps distance from Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem throws a right hand at Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem knees the body of Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem hurts Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem finishes Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem watches his fallen opponent Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem celebrates his win over Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem def. Brock Lesnar via TKO at 2:26 of round one at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Brock Lesnar announces his retirement after his loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Brock Lesnar kisses his wife after leaving the cage at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz celebrates his win with his teammates at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone loses the unanimous decision to Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz walks to his corner at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone show each other respect at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone kicks Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz kicks Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone pushes forward against Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz raises his arms at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz punches the body of Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz connects cleanly on Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Donald Cerrone lands a kick to Nate Diaz's face at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz attacks Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone sits in his corner at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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