UFC 118 Live Blog: Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda Updates

By Mike Chiappetta - Senior Writer

Follow @MMAFighting on Twitter, and Like MMA Fighting on Facebook.

BOSTON -- This is the UFC 118 live blog for Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda, a middleweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the TD Garden.

Maia's last fight was for the UFC middleweight title in a decision loss to Anderson Silva. Miranda made his UFC debut in March, losing to Gerald Harris, but bounced back in June to defeat David "The Crow" Loiseau.

---

---

Round 1: Maia uses an overhand left into a clinch. He grabs Miranda's left leg and gets a takedown, but Miranda pops back up. Momentarily. Maia gets him down again seconds later. Miranda with left hands from the top as he tries to take Miranda's back. Maia as usual plays it slow and methodical. Of course he takes Miranda's back, then moves to an arm bar. Miranda gets free and they're back to their feet. Miranda switches to southpaw stance briefly and utilizes kicks as most of his offense as the round goes on. He adds a hard left as the round expires. MMA Fighting scores it for Maia, 10-9.

Round 2: Miranda comes out looking more comfortable early, but Maia ruins his moment by taking him down against the cage. Miranda was mounted two minutes into the round. Maia softened him up with punches. Miranda looked to escape but Maia's mount was solid as he rode up high. He threw more strikes from the top. Ref Herb Dean looked at things closely but Maia's punches lacked steam and the fight continued. With 30 seconds left, Maia made his move, trying for an arm bar, but Miranda powered free and upright. He kicked Maia's legs and scored with an elbow strike or two, but it was easily Maia's round, 10-9.

Round 3: The takedown came early in the third. Maia quickly took Miranda's back and he's got plenty of time to work. Maia threw punches but nothing of consequence. After a minute, he went for an arm bar. Miranda pulled free and got to his feet. Maia dove in for another takedown but Miranda dodged this one. Maia looks winded. Less than two minutes left. Maia ducked under a Miranda punch for another takedown, and that might seal it as we near a minute left. Maia moved to mount and pivoted for an arm bar with :20 left. Miranda escaped brilliantly but the round finished second later. Round to Maia, 10-9.

Winner: Demian Maia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)


.fanhouseButton {margin:2em 0;} .fanhouseButton a:link, .fanhouseButton a:visited, .fanhouseButton a:hover, .fanhouseButton a:active {background-color:#dd2829;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:18px;padding:0.3em 0.6em;text-decoration:none;} .fanhouseButton a:hover {background-color:#000000;}

Follow @MMAFighting on Twitter, and Like MMA Fighting on Facebook.

Tweet 0 comments