UFC Pittsburgh results: Camozzi starches Riggs, Garbrandt floors Mendes

The main card of UFC Fight Night 83 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania kicked off with a fun bout between lightweights James Krause and Shane Campbell, and featured a featherweight tilt between ranked contenders Dennis Bermudez and Tatsuya Kawajiri. Here's how the first four main card contests fared, as we near the night's co-main and main events at the CONSOL Energy Center.

James Krause def. Shane Campbell via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) - Lightweights

A back-and-forth round 1 saw Krause keep heavy pressure on Campbell, going strike-for-strike with him while changing levels and aggressively going for takedowns. They both traded heavy leather but Krause dictated the pace very well. Late in the 1st, Krause took his back and dropped for a rear-naked choke, which looked tight, but Campbell survived until the horn sounded. Campbell had to fend off another RNC attempt in the 2nd, this time by scrambling out of it and briefly putting Krause on his back. Krause maintained a high pace and prevented Campbell from mounting sustained offense. Despite having the supposed striking disadvantage, Krause connected on some hard punches. The 3rd round was clearly Campbell's, who finished strongly with cleaner, better strikes, particularly knees to the body, plus a foot sweep into back control in the final minute. He worked hard to find a submission of his own, including an RNC and an arm-triangle, but to no avail. It's a deserved win for Krause, who gets his 2nd straight win, dropping the Canadian to 1-2 inside the Octagon.

Chris Camozzi def. Joe Riggs via TKO (knees) at :26 of round 1 - Middleweights

Camozzi threw a jab that jarred Riggs' head back, then landed an uppercut, then finished it off with 1 billion knees and Riggs got hit a bunch and fell down. A quick win for Camozzi, who has won 4 of his last 5, while Riggs drops his 3rd fight in his last 4.

THOSE KNEE'S! @ChrisCamozzi unloads a barrage of knee's to finish Joe Riggs! #UFCPittsburgh https://t.co/GkiP9fP0gG

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 22, 2016

Dennis Bermudez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) - Featherweights

Surprisingly, Bermudez was willing to grapple with "Crusher" Kawajiri throughout the contest. In the early stages, Bermudez took the Japanese legend down and then went for a kimura against the fence. Kawajiri waited out the failed kimura attempt and controlled Bermudez (with no other meaningful offense) for the remainder of round 1. Bermudez's physical strength was too much for Kawajiri in the later rounds, as he defended the takedowns, outstruck Kawajiri, punished Kawajiri's unsuccessful takedowns by battering his face with brutal ground-and-pound, and kept himself out of harm's way on the feet. Bermudez avoids a three-fight losing skid while Kawajiri suffers his 2nd loss inside the Octagon.

Cody Garbrandt def. Augusto Mendes via TKO (punches) at 4:18 of round 1 - 142 lbs catchweights

BJJ champion Mendes was given a rough task of facing talented striker Cody Garbrandt on 6 days notice, and the end result was a knockout loss. Garbrandt cracked Mendes early but his chin withstood the impact. Mendes had a brief armbar attack when he dropped to guard, but Garbrandt popped out of it. In the final minute of the 1st, Mendes opened up his striking offense a little bit, only for Garbrandt to deck him with a left hook and a right hand. Garbrandt celebrated as Mendes was out of it, but Mario Yamasaki hesitated on the stoppage. Garbrandt bopped Mendes one more time and that was it. The local favorite remains undefeated and eager to get re-booked vs. John Lineker.

Garbrandt has some firepower in those hands! Big knockout win for @Cody_NoLove! #UFCPittsburgh https://t.co/Hpq8SZd6IW

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 22, 2016