UFC Singapore results: Demian Maia submits Ben Askren, Stevie Ray edges Michael Johnson

Demian Maia probably didn’t need any validation to be considered the best grappler in the UFC, but his third-round submission win over decorated wrestler Ben Askren in the main event of UFC Singapore only added to his status as one of the best jiu-jitsu proponents in the sport’s history.

Maia had great success landing straight punches early on, but the real action kicked off when both men went to the ground. In the second round, after being taken down, Maia attacked with a triangle choke and an omaplata to gain top position. One he established mount, the Brazilian moved to Askren’s back, but the American somehow managed to reverse the position before the bell sounded to end the round.

When Askren landed a single-leg in the third, Maia immediately latched onto a heel hook, which Askren cleverly defended at the expense of giving up mount. After gaining mount once more, Maia again transitioned to the back. Maia switched to a body triangle before applying the choke, which rendered Askren unconscious with a little over a minute left in the third round.

Following the win, Maia called for a showdown with fellow veteran, Diego Sanchez.

Stevie Ray looked as though he had let go of his lightweight co-main event meeting with Michael Johnson before he rallied into action in the third round, where he landed heavy ground-and-pound and attempted several rear-naked chokes, which led to him being awarded a majority decision win.

The opening round was close as they exchanged in the pocket; Ray had more success with his leg kicks as Johnson pumped his jab in the Scot’s face. Johnson’s pace proved difficult for Ray to deal with in the second and the damage on his face proved it. Everything changed in the third round when Ray landed a takedown and utterly dominated the contest until the clock ran out.

Beneil Dariush put on a clinical performance against Frank Camacho, soundly out-striking him on the feet before taking him to the canvas and submitting him with a rear-naked choke.

At his surgical best, Dariush let his heavy-handed opponent bulldoze forward into exchanges and picked him apart with straight punches and kicks to the body. He changed levels and scored with a swift single-leg before effortlessly transitioning to his back. The whole dance lasted just two minutes and change and increased Dariush’s win streak to three.

Ciryl Gane unexpectedly made it two submission wins in as many UFC outings when the decorated Muay Thai fighter latched onto a heel hook in the dying embers of his clash with Don’Tale Mayes. Known for his powerful strikes, Gane landed potent body shots as well as powerful punches over the 15 minutes. It looked as though the French heavyweight was on the verge of stopping the contest as he landed grounded shots at the end of the first round, but the bell saved Mayes from Gane’s onslaught.

“The King of Kung Fu” Muslim Salikhov put on an amazing striking display en route to a unanimous nod from all three judges when he met Laureano Staropoli, in a welterweight bout, increasing his win streak to three. After dazzling the Argentinian with a feast of spinning kicks and hard punches, the Sanda expert called for a clash with Li Jingliang in China.

Check out the full results for UFC Singapore here.