EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey -- Utilizing a series of highlight reel slam takedowns, Dennis Bermudez bullied his way to a UFC on FOX 3 unanimous decision win over Pablo Garza.
Bermudez, the Ultimate Fighter season 14 runner-up, took Garza sky high several times before sending him crashing to the mat. From there, his groundwork was more than enough to ensure a win by unanimous scores of 30-27.
"I've finished a few fights in my earlier career with slams, either stunning the guy or ground and pound, but not Garza," Bermudez said.
The first round was the closest, with Garza clearly hurting Bermudez with an upkick while showing an active guard. But after Bermudez weathered that storm, he outworked Garza the rest of the way.
In the third, he came close to finishing with a rear naked choke, but settled for the decision in the crowd-pleaser.
For Bermudez, it was the first win of his UFC career, and it moves him to 8-3 all-time. It was the second straight loss for Garza, who is now 11-3.