LAS VEGAS — Waipahu's Brian Viloria won a unanimous decision over Cesar Lopez tonight to remain in contention for another shot at the light flyweight title.

Viloria put on one of his better performances in years on the undercard of Kelly Pavlik's rematch with Jermain Taylor.

Viloria (21-2, 12 KOs) knocked down Lopez with a strong right hand in the fifth round, and he dominated all three scorecards for his second straight victory since losing to Edgar Sosa last April in a fight for the WBC 108-pound title. Viloria held the title from September 2005 to August 2006, when he lost a unanimous decision to Omar Nino Romero.

Lopez (20-6) has lost five of his last seven fights, but still has never been knocked out.