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UFC 190 Results: Demian Maia Dominates, Ends Neil Magny's Streak at Seven

UFC 190 Results: Demian Maia Dominates, Ends Neil Magny's Streak at Seven

Welterweight contenders Neil Magny and Demian Maia had the same goal at UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro: to win.

Magny, however, put a seven-fight winning streak on the line heading into the fight. Another win would catapult him into title contention. For Maia, he was looking to get his mojo back. He had a three-fight winning streak at welterweight derailed by back-to-back losses, but won his last two heading into the fight with Magny, looking to put his name back “in the mix” with a third straight victory.

RELATED > UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia Full Results and Live Fight Analytics

Magny’s streak was nothing short of amazing, but Maia was easily his toughest test to date, especially in the area of elite grappling. And unfortunately for Magny, it showed.

This fight was the 37-year-old Maia’s to lose from the opening bell. He threw a couple of jabs at the opening, but quickly took the fight to his world on the mat.

Once they hit the floor, there was nothing Magny – ten years Maia's junior – could do. He gave it his all, defending well, but all he could do was defend.

It was Maia that maintained position, constantly countering any attempt Magny made to escape, smothering him with his weight and feeding him punch after punch. He threatened with a couple of armbar attempts late in the opening round, but despite his dominance, Maia didn’t mount much visible damage, instead wearing Magny down.

The second frame followed exactly in the same mold as the first with Maia quickly taking the fight to the canvas, dominating position, waiting for Magny to give him an opening.

That happened just under two minutes into the round when Maia transitioned from full mount – a position he held often in the fight – to back mount, immediately locking in a body triangle.

Maia then softened Magny up with punches before slipping in a rear naked choke that forced the tap just moments later.

“I know he’s tough, his neck is tough, but I trust my power,” said Maia after the fight.

It was the power of his flawless jiu-jitsu that earned Maia his third consecutive victory and showed why he is currently ranked as the sixth best welterweight in the UFC.

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