UFC 141 opener: Nunes gets past Gamburyan

LAS VEGAS - Diego Nunes lost to Kenny Florian back at UFC 131, but he sent a clear message he'd be a player in the UFC's 145-pound division. Using his kicks as a huge weapon, Nunes took on former title contender Manny Gamburyan and rolled past him for a unanimous decision victory, 29-28 on all three scorecards, in bout No. 1 of the night at UFC 141 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Nunes (17-2, 1-1 UFC) ate a couple big right hands from Gamburyan in the second and third rounds, but walked right through them. Beyond that, all the effective came from the Brazilian. Fighting from a conventional stance, Nunes softened up Gamburyan (11-7, 0-2 UFC) in the opening with good leg kicks to his lead leg. Nunes switched his stance to southpaw in the second and punished Gamburyan's right side. By the end of the fight, the swelling was evident on Gamburyan's right rib cage. Gamburyan, the runner-up on Season 5 of "The Ultimate Fighter," has now lost three straight.