Demian Maia needed only 112 seconds to choke out former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit in the main event of Vancouver’s UFC on FOX 21.
Maia immediately went to work, taking Condit down near the fence and locking in a rear-naked choke. Referee Big John McCarthy was forced to stop the bout, moments thereafter.
In the post-fight press conference, Maia said he thinks his win will make the UFC reconsider giving the Stephen Thompson the next title shot to Tyron Woodley. If Thompson does get the next crack, he hopes it happens quickly, so he doesn’t have to wait long.
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Condit was reflective in the post-fight press conference, suggesting that he will have to “assess” his future with his family and team before possibly deciding to retire. He congratulated Maia on his win, but he also confirmed going into the fight, that he had retirement on his mind.
Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon secured Fight-of-the-Night, while Maia and Paige VanZant secured performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
In case you missed the prelims:
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
JEROME KENNEDY DEF. ALESSANDRO RICCI VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27, 30-2,7 29-28)
CHAD LAPRISE DEF. THIBAULT GOUTI VIA TKO R1 1:36
FOX SPORTS ONE PRELIMS
FELIPE SILVA DEF. SHANE CAMPBELL VIA TKO R1 1:13
ALESSIO DI CHRICO DEF. GARRETH MCLELLAN VIA SPLIT-DECISION (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
KYLE BOCHNIAK DEF. ENRIQUE BARZOLA VIA SPLIT-DECISION (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
SAM ALVEY DEF. KEVIN CASEY VIA TKO R2 4:56
Kenai Andrews checks in.
CTV TWO MAIN CARD
JOE LAUZON VS JIM MILLER
WINNER: JIM MILLER VIA SPLIT-DECISION (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOE LAUZON VIA TKO
Andrews: Another great fight. I thought Lauzon won rounds 2 and 3 with his takedowns and groundwork, but Miller landed the more impactful shots and perhaps the judges were more impressed with that. Still, great fight.
#10 PAIGE VAN ZANT VS BEC RAWLINGS
WINNER: PAIGE VANZANT VIA TKO R2 0:17
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PAIGE VANZANT VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Rawling was winning the fight, getting the better od the exchanges, but then in Round 2, VanZant landed a highlight reel kick that put Bec down for the win. Great work by Paige.
ANTHONY PETTIS VS CHARLES OLIVEIRA
WINNER: ANTHONY PETTIS VIA SUBMISSION R3 1:49
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHARLES OLIVEIRA VIA TKO
Andrews: Oliviera almost overcame some vicious kicks and strikes by Pettis to continuously take the back and threaten with submissions. Showtime responded with his own ground game and locked in a nice guillotine finish. A little concerned about the takedowns, but good win for Pettis.
MAIN EVENT
#3 DEMIAN MAIA VS #4 CARLOS CONDIT
WINNER: DEMIAN MAIA VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R1 1:12
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DEMIAN MAIA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Wow! No one has come even close to dismantling Condit like that. Once Maia got the takedown, it was a matter of when he would get the tap. It turned out it was sooner, than later. Excellent win for Maia.
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