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The evening of Wednesday, October 9, was complicated for the main stars of UFC Barueri. The event, held in the crowded Gymnasium Jose Correa in Sao Paulo, raised fans’ eyebrows, but it left a bitter taste to have Jake Shields beat Demian Maia in the main event. Also, Erick Silva suffered a tough knockout to Korean Dong Hyun Kim in the co-main event. Check out the highlights:
Jake Shields beats Demian Maia by split decision
Closing the night of the event, Demian Maia came to face Jake Shields in the welterweight division of the UFC. Demian was coming off a victory that sent Jon Fitch packing from the UFC. Jake Shields won his last fight Tyron Woodley topped by split decision .
The battle, which lasted the full 25 minutes of the scheduled five rounds , came down to a lot of technical ground work, transitions, footwork and submission attempts. The assaults were balanced between Jake and Demian. What we saw was refined Jiu-Jitsu technique from two very experienced practitioners.
With but few exciting moments of striking, the fifth round was the decisive round in the fight. At the end of the contest, the judges scored it for the American Shields, giving him a victory by split decision . The Brazilian, at the press conference after the match, contested the result, saying that he felt he was the winner of the fight and had not understood the judges’ decision to give the win to Jake.
Dong Hyun Kim KOs Erick Silva
In the co-main event Erick Silva, lulled by the submission of the night bonus at UFC Fortaleza, came into a tough fight with Korean Dong Hyun Kim in the welterweight division of the UFC .
At the beginning of the battle, Erick risked a dangerous spinning elbow, which passed near the chin of Kim. Afterwards, Dong managed to impose his game. Chasing the Korean, advanced on Kim and put a lot of pressure on in the first round.
Coming to the second round, Erick did not care to wait for the Korean. Punches, kicks , knees and all he could offer were thrown at his opponent. Dong looked scared, but the tactic to pressure remained. However, the surprise came a few minutes later : a knockout punch.
When approaching, Erick gave a punch to the Korean, who answered with an overhand left, striking the face of the Brazilian, who fell off the floor . Another win by knockout noted for Dong Hyun Kim , three minutes into the second frame.
Toquinho finishes in return, but unsportsmanlike conduct over shadows
In one of the most anticipated fights of the card, Rousimar Palhares , debuting in the welterweight division of the UFC, faced Mike Pierce.
In his usual way, Palhares was searching for the leg lock. Mike escaped the first assault, but was surprised by Rousimar’s instinct, which was to attack the other leg. Thirty-one seconds were needed for Toquinho to adjust and tighten the ankle lock. Being the only submission of the night, the bonus would be granted, not for one detail: the organization vetoed the bonus for ” unsportsmanlike conduct.”
According to the UFC, Palhares took too long to let go of the heel hook, putting the opponent’s physical integrity at risk . Marshall Zelaznik, UFC executive, said the award would not be delivered until the directors review the case.
Check out the rest of the results from UFC in São Paulo:
Main Card:
Thiago Silva def. Matt Hamill by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-27)
Fabio Maldonado def. Joey Beltran by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Raphael Assunção def. TJ Dillashaw by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims:
Igor Araujo def. Ildemar Alcantara by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Yan Cabral def. David Mitchell by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Chris Cariaso def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) at 4:31, Round 2
Alan Patrick def. Garett Whiteley by TKO (strikes) at 3:54, Round 1