UFC 131 dos Santos vs. Carwin Play-by-Play: Demian Maia vs. Mark Munoz

Mark Munoz and Demian Maia at UFC 131.

Round 1: Munoz comes in and Maia lands a punch that wobbles him.  Tough to see exactly how, though.  Maia showing some improved stand-up, landing punches.  The two clinch against the cage where Maia lands some knees to the legs.  The referee splits them up and Maia comes forward and lands a 1-2 punch, followed by a headkick.  The two clinch and Maia pushes Munoz off.  Maia continues to pressure Munoz, backing him up and showing impressive stand-up.  Munoz shoots in for a takedown just before the end of the round, but doesn’t land it.

Round 2: Munoz chases down Maia and the Brazilian shoots in for a single-leg takedown.  Munoz batters Maia’s side as he’s working to get him down.  Later, Maia and Munoz are on the ground where Munoz goes for a D’Arce choke, but lets it go.  After getting back to the feet for a moment, the two go back to the ground where Maia is able to pull guard.  Munoz transitions and gets Maia against the cage, sitting.  Munoz stays on top of his opponent and lands some short punches and elbows.  No strikes were landed for a while and the referee stands them up.  The round ends a short while later.

Round 3: Munoz coming out a little more aggressive in the third, throwing a couple kicks, backing Maia against the cage.  Munoz gets a takedown momentarily, but Maia gets right back up.  They clinch and Maia gets Munoz’s back as they go to the ground.  Maia gets the near submission, but Munoz escapes and the two return to the feet.  Munoz works to drag Maia down to the ground with a body clinch, but Maia showing good defense.  The ref splits them up and the two trade kicks.  Munoz gets the single-leg and throws Maia down.  He gets back up and the two trade midkicks.  Maia shoots in for a takedown, but Munoz stuffs it and the round ends a short while later.

Official call: Mark Munoz defeats Demian Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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