Aljamain Sterling vs. Hugo Viana

Round 1
Sterling lands a couple body kicks and gets countered by a heavy right hand from the Brazilian. The next right straight from Viana sends Sterling to the ground momentarily. “The Funk Master” pops back to his feet and continues circling around Viana, who sticks to the center and tries to find a way inside Sterling’s length. Ninety seconds in, Sterling gets a body lock and trips Viana to the ground near the fence. Sterling tries to keep the Brazilian in place by triangling his legs, then looks to take Viana’s back when he stands. Viana powers back to his feet, still held against the fence and now absorbing hard knees from Sterling to the body. With 90 seconds to go, Sterling releases and backs out, deflects a couple high kicks from Viana and misses with a pair of axe kicks. Sterling slaps Viana’s head with a right high kick and slips out of range as “Wolverine” counters.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sterling
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Sterling
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sterling

Round 2
Sterling spends a minute fending off Viana’s attacks, keeping the Brazilian out of the pocket with kicks, before shoving him up against the fence. The clinch doesn’t last long, and once Viana is loose, he sticks Sterling with a stiff jab. Sterling eats a right hand over the top and decides to change levels, easily putting Viana on his back with a single-leg in the center of the cage. Viana scrambles back to his feet, but Sterling holds his leg on the way and punishes Viana with a kick to the gut. A few seconds later, Sterling catches hold of the leg again and sweeps Viana back to the canvas with 1:40 on the clock. Sterling again tries to climb on Viana’s back, and this time he gets both hooks in. His rear-naked choke doesn’t have much on it, Viana defending well with 30 seconds to go. Sterling slaps on a body triangle and softens up Viana with punches as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sterling
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Sterling
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sterling

Round 3
Sterling shoots for an early single-leg and gets rebuffed by a counter hook. The next shot is successful, though, and Viana is on his back only 30 seconds into the final round. Sterling leans right to left across Viana’s body and sits up in half guard to slug the Brazilian with a heavy elbow. Viana pushes him away and tries to scramble free, but Sterling comes right back and steps into full mount with more than half the round remaining. Sterling works for an arm-triangle choke while softening Viana with left hands. With 90 seconds on the clock, Sterling abandons the choke and postures up to pummel Viana with both hands. Viana attempts to cover up and grab hold of Sterling to slow the offense, but a trio of particularly heavy hammer fists proves the last straw for referee Kerrigan, who halts the bout.

The Official Result
Aljamain Sterling def. Hugo Viana via TKO (Punches) R3 3:50