Poirier snuffs out Duffy on UFC 195 Fight Pass prelims

Dustin Poirier def. Joseph Duffy via unanimous decision

The last time Dustin Poirier lost, it was to an up-and-coming fighter from the Emerald Isle named Conor McGregor. Poirier wasn't going to be a stepping stone for an Irishman on this night.

A bloody back-and-forth battle with Joseph Duffy gradually tilted in Poirier's favor as he utilized a strong wrestling attack to stay out of danger. When they were on their feet, it looked as though it could be anyone's game, as the pair traded nasty punches without hesitation.

Duffy worked the body and landed counters on the button, but Poirier returned fire in the clinch with ground-and-pound when the action went to the increasingly red mat.

The smothering top control helped Poirier sweep the scorecards, though it wasn't an easy win by any stretch. It was the third straight win for Poirier since he moved to lightweight, while Duffy dropped to 1-1 in the UFC.

Michinori Tanaka def. Joe Soto via split decision

A dominant third frame didn't save Joe Soto from losing the first split decision of 2016.

Through two rounds, Soto and Michinori Tanaka engaged in a close and entertaining contest. It was Tanaka who employed a high-volume striking game and strategic use of takedowns to score points. Soto countered with an aggressive bottom game, including a slick gogoplata attempt to close out the first.

Soto turned it up in the final five minutes, bloodying up Tanaka with jabs and some sloppy hooks that nevertheless found their mark. Fortunately for Tanaka, his work in the first and second proved to be enough to win over two of the three judges scoring the fight.

Sheldon Westcott def. Edgar Garcia via 1st-round TKO

Sheldon Westcott got back to the fast and furious style that made him a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter.

An opening bull rush left Edgar Garcia with no answers as he was slammed to the mat and bludgeoned for the entirety of the first round. Garcia turned to his front to avoid any huge shots, all but guaranteeing that he wouldn't be escaping anytime soon.

The fight was waved off at the 3:12 mark, though it could have been called at least a minute earlier. In total, Westcott landed over 100 more strikes than Garcia.