In the first televised featherweight fight in UFC history Saturday at "The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale," Leonard Garcia was the recipient of an early present from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Garcia took a split decision from Nam Phan (29-28, 27-30, 29-28) in a fight that almost everybody minus those two judges scored for Phan.
MMAForReal.com scored the bout 30-27 Phan.
Phan was never in trouble throughout the 15-minute fight fight but he had Garcia in significant trouble, especially in the second round. Phan hurt Garcia on the feet and worked for a rear-naked choke prior to time expiring.
In the second fight of the night, Rick Story handed Johny Hendricks his first career loss.
The fight was very close and technical with neither fighter gaining a significant advantage throughout the 15-minute bout.
All three judges scored the bout 29-28 for Story.