UFC 156 main card recap: Demian Maia outgrapples Jon Fitch, cruises to unanimous decision victory

Demian Maia gave Jon Fitch a taste of his own medicine, dominating the action on the ground with superior grappling and stifling top control en route to a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27 across the board.

The ground specialist immediately shot in and took Fitch to the mat to start the opening frame, and from there never relinquished control on the ground. Fitch who is known for his submission defense, fought off the initial choke attempts of Maia, but could not shake his opponent off his back as the round wore on. Maia landed some punches as he was draped on the back of the standing Fitch, then went back to another takedown to put a stamp on a dominating opening round.

Fitch came out in the second using his kicks to keep Maia at bay early, but Maia perfectly timed one of those kicks to duck under and put the fight right back on the mat. Fitch fought to get back to his feet and did, but the moral victory was short-lived as Maia again dragged him back to the mat. Maia then threatened with a very tight rear naked choke attempt, but Fitch again showed that he is nearly impossible to submit, fighting off the choke. Fitch then survived several more attempts but ended the round with Maia still draped on his back.

The third round started much like the second, and ended in much the same way as Maia again dominated the action on the ground. Fitch had an opportunity to change his fortunes midway through the final round as he briefly found himself on top. Maia turned the tables on him quickly however, scrambling to his feet then again taking the fight to the mat and riding out the rest of the round on the back of Fitch.

The dominating performance earned Demian Maia (18-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) his third consecutive win at welterweight. The loss for Jon Fitch drops him to 24-5-1 (14-3-1 UFC).