Mike Pyle vs. Ricardo Almeida

"Quicksand" Mike Pyle enters the cage first on a two fight win streak. "Big Dog" follows him in wearing a gi, with Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and Renzo Gracie in tow. Almeida looks lean as he enters the cage, fighting his fourth fight in a row at 170 after most of a career at 185 or above.

The men exchange leg kicks in the early going. Almeida attempts a high kick with no luck. Kyle takes the center of the Octagon with Almeida content to circle him. Almeida is ducking his head and Pyle lands two uppercuts as a result. Pyle lands a nice trip and Almeida crashes down, but Pyle backs off and declines to play the ground game. Almeida's cheek is beginning to swell. The men are pressed against the cage as the 2:00 mark passes. Almeida is having trouble implementing a game plan. Both remain patient. Almeida lands a brief flying takedown but Pyle pops up. Almeida swarms again and is beginning to find a little bit of a groove. Pyle looks for a plum tie but "Big Dog" shrugs it off. Close first round as the men exchange strikes to close.

Pyle retakes the center to begin round two. Pyle is the bigger man despite Almeida's time at 185. Solid side kick by Almeida, and a takedown moments later. Pyle stands and Almeida attempts to suck him back down, but is unable to. Pyle is standing back up well following Almeida's takedowns. Pyle taking some deep breaths, but lands a good knee as Almeida wades in. Almeida attempts a sacrifice throw but the two fall side by side. The fight returns to the feet. Both are beginning to tire with 90 seconds remaining in the round. A difficult fight to score through two rounds. Almeida lands a takedown in the last minute and Pyle attempts a Kimura which has Almeida playing defense from on top. Almeida works through it and begins some GNP as the round closes.

The men touch gloves to begin the final round. Pyle looks fresher in the early going, bouncing and throwing low kicks. Almeida is keeping a good distance, and once again content to concede the center of the cage. Pyle the aggressor early. Almeida is clearly measuring Pyle for a takedown but Pyle knows it, and the men are negating one another. Anyone's fight with three minutes remaining. Pyle lands another trip and is briefly in Almeida's guard before backing out. Almeida stands and grabs a leg but Pyle is once again able to shrug off the takedown. Pyle landing good inside shots to the body against the cage. Big knee to Almeida's face hurts him in the final minute. Almeida gets another oh-so-brief takedown, but looks the worse for wear of the two fighters. An extremely close fight draws to a close with a winner hard to call.

The judges call the contest 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 for the winner, Mike Pyle.