UFC FIGHT NIGHT 29: Brazilian Fans left with a bitter taste
The UFC was back in their home away from home last night for UFC Fight Night 29, and the Brazilian fans were ready for another night dominated by their countrymen. Seven of the ten fights saw a Brazilian victorious but the fans inside the Jose Correa Arena in Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Co-headliners Erick Silva and Demian Maia entered as the favorites but were upset, thus upsetting the Brazilians fans.
In the night’s co-main event, Erick Silva looked to continue his rise up the welterweight ladder by defeating Judoka Dong Hyun Kim. Feeding off the crowd Silva came out strong and fast, forcing Kim to chase him while wildly missing. There was a method though to the wildness of Kim, as it was actually throwing Silva off his game. In the second round Silva stood his ground a bit more and as he was throwing an uppercut, Kim was launching a hook that literally beat Silva to the punch. Landing flush the punch sent Silva crashing to the canvas and silenced the crowd.
Sao Paulo native Demain Maia though got the crowd going once again as he walked to the Octagon for his main event bout against Jake Shields. Maia entered the fight undefeated as welterweight and was standing on the doorsteps of his second UFC title fight. The matchup featured two of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA and for fans of BJJ were in heaven. Slick transitions and quick reversals were on display but Maia found himself on his back for large chunks of two rounds. The evenly matched foes appeared to be also even on the scorecards heading into the fifth and final round. Despite being exhausted it was the former Strikeforce champion Shields that was more aggressive and squeaked out the split decision win.
Oh and the night started out so well for the Brazilian fans. But hey, look on the Bright side. Next month the Octagon will be back in Brazil with another card stacked with their countrymen.