Mendes spoils Saenz's homecoming in thriller to highlight UFC Phoenix prelims

Bantamweight Bout: Augusto Mendes def. Frankie Saenz via split decision

Two Arizona-based fighters left it all in the Octagon in Phoenix on Sunday.

After three rounds that saw both men land their share of effective punches, Augusto Mendes edged out Frankie Saenz on the scorecards with a pair of 29-28 scores in his favor.

Neither man could assert himself during the bout's 15-minute duration, even when the opponent looked staggered. Mendes eschewed his grappling acumen in favor of standing and trading with Saenz, a strategy that paid off in the first round when he caught a charging Saenz with a counter-strike that wobbled him.

Saenz answered in the second with a sneaky elbow that left Mendes falling backward to the canvas:

In the third, Mendes again rocked Saenz early but he could not put away the 36-year-old wrestler. Saenz continued to find success in the clinch, but in the end he couldn't generate enough offense to turn the scorecards in his favor.

Mendes was competing for the first time since losing by knockout in his Octagon debut against future bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt. He picks up his first UFC win with the split-decision nod.

Saenz finds himself facing an ugly reversal of fortunes as he has now lost three straight fights after starting his UFC career with three victories.

Lightweight Bout: Drakkar Klose def. Devin Powell via unanimous decision

Drakkar Klose let it all hang out in his Octagon debut.

Stepping in for Jordan Rinaldi on just 18 days' notice, the 28-year-old pummeled Devin Powell against the cage through the better part of three rounds to take all three scorecards and remain undefeated in eight professional fights. The South Haven, Mich. native kept his fellow debutant from finding his range, pressuring Powell with some crafty clinch work and scoring points with a relentless striking attack from in close.

Klose's volume striking and control-reliant game plan kept the 28-year-old Powell from settling into a rhythm, but the Somersworth, N.H. native did flash a superhuman chin and - however incrementally - some striking prowess.

Powell - who was discovered on UFC president Dana White's "Lookin' for a Fight" web series, sees a six-fight win streak snapped with his unsuccessful promotional debut. He now holds a professional record of 8-2.

Heavyweight Bout: Aleksei Oleinik def. Viktor Pesta via 1st-round submission (Ezekiel choke)

Aleksei Oleinik accomplished the impossible on Sunday, submitting Viktor Pesta via Ezekiel choke - while fully mounted - just 2:57 into their heavyweight tilt.

Watch: Oleinik submits Pesta with rare Ezekiel choke

The tapout - the first-ever by that technique in UFC history - got Oleinik back in the win column and improved his promotional record to 3-1 after dropping a majority decision to Daniel Omielanczuk.

"The Boa Constrictor" did his nickname justice from the most precarious of positions, as Pesta put him on his back and moved to a full mount with little effort. The Czech native's dominant position played right into Oleinik's hands though, as the 39-year-old stoically trapped him in the choke from his back, the unexpected stoppage leaving Pesta completely dumbfounded.

Oleinik improves his promotional record to 3-1 with his 10th career tapout by Ezekiel choke, while Pesta could soon be looking for work after suffering his third straight loss - all by stoppage - and fourth in five UFC contests.

Lightweight Bout: Tony Martin def. Alex White via unanimous decision

It wasn't the most scintillating performance, but Tony Martin did more than enough to earn his first UFC winning streak.

The wrestling-minded Martin took Alex White down early and often en route to a unanimous decision win. It was the second straight win for Martin whose Octagon record now stands at an even 3-3.

In the first round, Martin was nearly the victim of a bizarre mishap. White accidentally caught him below the belt with a kick in the first round that snapped the string holding Martin's cup. Fortunately his team had a replacement cup ready and he was able to change equipment mid-round.

White managed to land a few stiff rights, but every time Martin sensed he was in danger he ducked in to take White down to the mat where the action stayed for the majority of the bout. It was a disappointing result for White who was fighting at 155 pounds in the UFC for the first time. He has now lost three of his past four fights.