SAO PAULO – For three rounds Demian Maia (19-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC) controlled Alexander Yakovlev (21-5-1, 0-1 UFC) on the ground, slowly grinding away from full mount without ever really committing himself to any of the submissions for which he’s become so well known. In the end, it was still enough to earn Maia a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over the UFC newcomer Yakovlev, who seemed grateful simply to survive. The welterweight bout was part of the main card of today’s TUF Brazil 3 Finale event at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. Maia seemed like he might make short work of Yakovlev after a first-round knockdown led to Maia seizing full mount with plenty of time to work in the opening frame. But while Yakovlev had no answer beyond hanging on for dear life from the bottom, Maia seemed content to chip away with short punches and elbows from the top
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TUF Brazil 3 Finale results, photos: Demian Maia tops Alexander Yakovlev – MMA Junkie