When welterweight’s Jake Shields and Demian Maia were announced as the headliners of UFC Fight Night 29 in Barueri, Brazil, most fans and pundits expected a drawn out 25-minute decision, laden with world-class jiu-jitsu. Well, luckily for fans of good old-fashioned ground battles, the main event emanating from the Ginasio Poliesportivo Jose Correa did not disappoint. The opening frame saw a brief feeling out process between the American jiu-jitsu practitioner and his Brazilian counterpart. Soon after, Maia lunged forward for the first takedown attempt with a forceful single-leg shot. After roughly a minute of jostling, Maia earned a trip takedown and began his attempt at controlling the Cesar Gracie black belt. Shortly after the initial takedown, a scramble ensued. As the fighters came to their feet, Maia leaped onto Shields’ back and was looking for a rear-naked choke. Shields, in a moment of sheer poise, swung the Brazilian off his back and landed into half guard
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