Highlights! Maia Chokes Out ‘Funky’ With One Arm

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Demian Maia showed up in fashion earlier today (Sat., Oct. 26, 2019) at UFC Fight Night 162 live on ESPN+ from inside Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore, when he finished Ben Askren via third-round submission (rear-naked choke) in their main event clash.

It was Maia’s fifth rear-naked choke finish in the UFC’s welterweight division and the first submission defeat of Askren’s professional MMA career.

Both men landed early as Asken tried to get inside to land dirty boxing and Maia hit some punches from range. The striking of each welterweight cancelled out their grappling efforts until Askren landed a brief takedown towards the end of the first. “Funky” landed more short shots and uppercuts in the second round as Maia’s face started to bloody. Maia kept firing back with powerful counters but Askren did well to avoid anything serious. Askren then secured a beautiful takedown in the middle of the cage only to have Maia reverse positioning by threatening with multiple submission attempts. Askren defended nicely and ended up on top.

Askren went back to his wrestling early into the third to land a slamming takedown on Maia. The Brazilian quickly got back to his feet and the two would engage in more striking exchanges before “Funky” got another takedown. Maia was quick to reverse, though, and gained back control along the cage. That’s when Maia moved into position and locked in a tight rear-naked choke. Askren defended as well as he could but the writing was on the wall and Maia tightened his one-arm squeeze to force “Funky” to tap.

Check out the full fight video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

For complete UFC Singapore results and coverage click here.