Davis outgrapples Carmouche to take rematch by split decision

Alexis Davis' flyweight foray is off to a smashing start.

Thanks to some slick transitional grappling and a pair of submission attempts, the 33-year-old took her rollicking rematch with Liz Carmouche by split decision to cap UFC Fight Night 123's prelims in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday.

Davis got the better of her fellow ex-bantamweight title challenger in a unanimous verdict four years ago, and now finds herself on a two-fight win streak after picking up her second victory at Carmouche's expense in her UFC flyweight debut.

Round 1 saw Carmouche bring the action to the mat and drape Davis like a wet blanket for the bulk of it, only for Davis to catch her asleep at the wheel and lock up an armbar Carmouche had to slam her way out of as the frame wound down.

Davis gained the upper hand on the ground in the second stanza, treating Carmouche to some smothering top control of her own to make it anyone's fight heading into a pivotal third.

Carmouche uncorked a typhoon of haymakers on Davis against the fence to open the final frame, with the pair returning to the mat when Davis pulled guard on a guillotine choke attempt in response to the onslaught. The Ontario native once again managed to snatch an arm free for a submission, and when Carmouche escaped on brute strength alone, Davis stole the victory with a sweep into full mount with just seconds to go.

The 33-year-old Carmouche saw a two-fight win streak snapped and her UFC record fall to 3-4 in her first fight as a flyweight.