UFC on ESPN+2 results: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu dominates
It was a great night for Brazilian fighters at the UFC’s first international event of the year in Fortaleza, Brazil, at Centro de Formacao Olimpica on Saturday.
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Fabio Gurgel, Demian Maia earned his 20th UFC victory on Saturday. He is perhaps most well known for his success with submissions in the UFC, having the longest submission victory win streak in the UFC (5). At 20 victories, he now has the most victories of any Brazilian fighter in the promotion’s history. Maia is now tied with Michael Bisping and Georges St. Pierre for second most in UFC history, behind Donald Cerrone, who claims 22 victories in the octagon.
Out of 29 UFC opponents, Maia has scored at least one takedown on 22 of them, and his 10 submission victories in the UFC ties him with Royce Gracie for the second most in company history (behind Charles Oliveira, who claims 13 submission victories). Out of those 10 submissions, eight have been rear-naked chokes, which is the highest number of RNC victories by a single fighter in UFC history.
Outside of the UFC, Maia had success as a World Cup Champion (BJJ, 2002 & 2003), and ADCC Champion (submission wrestling, 2007). He was also the IBJJF World Champion at purple belt in 2000.
When asked what’s next for the 41-year-old BJJ specialist, Maia requested Michael Chiesa as his next, and perhaps last, fight. Maia already has a date and venue picked out as well – May, UFC 237, in Curitiba, Brazil, at Arena da Baixada, where Maia fought and submitted Matt Brown in 2016.
Charles Oliveira also fought and won on the card, propelling him to 14-8 in the UFC, with his last four fights coming by stoppage (the second longest active streak in his division behind Gregor Gillespie, who has currently has five). His thirteen stoppage victories puts him tied at fourth most in UFC history (tied with Matt Hughes and Frank Mir, behind Donald Cerrone (16), Anderson Silva (14), and Vitor Belfort (14)). The former CBJJE Champion (South American, 2008 at purple belt, World, 2007 at blue belt, and World 2nd place, 2008 at purple belt) is yet another example of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s dominance on the ground.
Oliveira’s victory over David Teymur also makes him only the second fighter in UFC history to have multiple submission victories via anaconda chokes.
Full card results below:
MAIN CARD:
Marion Moraes def. Raphael Assuncao – submission (guillotine choke) Round 1, 3:17
Jose Aldo def. Renato Moicano – TKO (punches) Round 2, 0:44
Demian Maia def. Lyman Good – submission (rear naked choke) Round 1, 2:38
Charles Oliveira def. David Teymur – submission (anaconda choke) Round 2, 0:55
Johnny Walker def. Justin Ledet – TKO (strikes) Round 1, 0:15
Livinha Souza def. Sarah Frota – Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD:
Markus Perez def. Anthony Hernandez – submission (arm triangle choke) Round 2, 1:07
Mara Romero Borella def. Taila Santos – Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Thiago Alves def. Max Griffin – Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jair Rozenstruik def. Junior Albini – TKO (strikes) Round 2, 0:54
Geraldo de Freitas def. Felipe Colares – Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Said Nurmagomedov def. Ricardo Ramos – TKO (body kick, punches) Round 1, 2:28
Rogerio Bontorin def. Magomed Bibulatov – Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
