Demian is declared the winner of the main fight of UFC Fight NIght 62, in Rio de Janeiro, in a unanimous decision by the judges. Photo: Inovafoto
If the last event held by the UFC in Brazil, in Porto Alegre (RS), ended up being largely negative for local athletes, the turnaround came at UFC Fight Night 62, held in Rio de Janeiro, this Saturday (21). All Brazilian athletes on the main card of the attraction who faced foreigners came away with victory, with the highlight going to Demian Maia, who triumphed against Ryan LaFlare, and Erick silva, who beat the veteran Josh koscheck.
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Recovering from long downtime, Demian Maia he managed to dominate practically the entire fight against LaFlare, gaining mount at several moments and narrowly missing out on the submission. Despite a struggle in the fifth round, when he was already exhausted, the Brazilian managed to take the victory without any major scares in the judges' decision, taking away LaFlare's unbeaten record.
Yes, Erick silva had much less work to defeat Josh koscheck. The man from Espírito Santo managed to bother the North American in his striking and, when he was defending a takedown, he landed a fair guillotine that forced his rival to tap. For the first time in his UFC career, Erick silva won two consecutive victories; Koscheck suffered his fifth setback in a row and is in a very delicate position.
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The fight
The first round began with both athletes accepting the exchange. LaFlare landed a few blows on Maia, but without much effectiveness. After a minute of activity, the Brazilian went for the North American's legs and managed the takedown, landing on top. As much as LaFlare tried to stop the game, Demian managed to evolve in the position, going to half guard, passing the guard and mounting. The North American exploded and got out of position, but remained at the bottom, at a disadvantage, until the end of the round.
Aware of the disadvantage in the first round, LaFlare started the second period appearing more aggressive, but without being able to hit the Brazilian. Demian tried to go for the legs to take him down, but the smart American rejected the movement. The Brazilian insisted and took the fight to the ground, achieving mount moments later. Demian tried to fit a katagatame, but gave up the position when he saw that it wasn't in place. In the final seconds, Demian worked intensely on the ground and pound, with no major effects on LaFlare.
The third round began following the pattern of the previous period, with LaFlare taking more initiative on his feet and working good thigh kicks. Demian tried to take the fight to the ground again, but the American defended himself and ended up falling on top. The position didn't last long – Demian managed a heel hook and forced LaFlare to give up the position, reversing and falling on top. From then on, the fight ended with moments with the Brazilian in mount, with the North American replacing half guard for a few moments.
In the fourth round, Demian showed patience not to look for a takedown right away. The Brazilian feinted some striking moments to manage to take the fight to the ground once again. LaFlare threatened with a kimura, but Demian easily defended himself. Shortly afterwards, a new mount from the Brazilian, who worked more intensely with the ground and pound. Maia was clearly looking for the katagatame, but the North American defended himself as best he could. At one point, the position was right around the North American's neck, but Demian was unable to free his leg to complete the movement. The round ended in survival mode for LaFlare.
Thus, the fifth round began in “kill or be killed” mode for LaFlare. The North American landed a few blows on the Brazilian, who appeared to be more tired. Shortly after, Demian attempted the takedown and almost got it, but LaFlare got up. With the Brazilian unable to take the takedown again, the round continued on the feet. In the final minutes, Demian, completely exhausted, attempted a takedown and ended up falling on the bottom. LaFlare accepted the position and tried to work on top, but ended up getting up. The North American started attacking, but, exposed, ended up receiving a hard counterattack. Shortly after, Demian finally got the takedown and took guard. In the final seconds, LaFlare managed to get up and went all out with his striking, but Demian threw himself to the ground, avoiding the fight, which caused the referee to withdraw a point.
Erick disenchants and submits Koscheck
Erick submitted Koscheck in the first round. Photo: William Lucas/Inovafoto
In the co-main fight of the night, Erick silva achieved his second consecutive victory in the UFC, something unprecedented until then, and further increased the veteran's ordeal Josh koscheck in the octagon.
Throughout the fight, Erick seemed at ease, undermining Koscheck with dangerous kicks and punches and defending the American's takedown attempts well. After suffering a sequence of dangerous blows, Koscheck shook and desperately tried the clinch. Erick then was quick to land a guillotine choke, making the American tap out shortly afterwards.
With this, Erick achieved his sixth victory in the UFC, against four defeats. Koscheck is in a very delicate situation after suffering his fifth straight defeat, two by knockout and two by submission.
UFC FN 62 results:
MAIN CARD
Demian Maia defeated Ryan LaFlare via unanimous decision;
Erick silva derrotou Josh koscheck by submission in R1;
Leonardo Santos defeated Tony Martin via submission in R2;
Amanda nunes defeated Shayna Baszler via TKO in R1;
Gilbert Durinho derrotou Alex Cowboy by submission in R3;
Geoffrey Pepey derrotou André Fili by submission in R1;
PRELIMINARY CARD
Francisco Massaranduba defeated Akbarh Arreola by unanimous decision of the judges;
Kevin Souza defeated Katsunori Kikuno by knockout in R1;
Leandro Buscapé defeated Drew dober by submission in R2;
Leonardo Macarrão defeated Cain Carrizosa via unanimous decision by the judges;
Christos Giagos defeated Jorge Blade via submission in R1;
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