The main card of UFC 153 started out with an exciting battle between welterweight title hopefuls Rick Story and Demian Maia Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.
Rick Story tried to come out with quick and powerful strikes early, but Demian Maia wasted little time in working Story to the canvas. It was the beginning of the end, as Story could do little but pray for a mistake.
Fighting in his home country, Maia used punches from half guard to soften up Story while patiently waiting for an opening. It didn’t take long, as Story gave up his back and succumbed to a rear-naked choke halfway through the first round. It was a gruesome sight, as blood poured from the mouth and nose of Story before he eventually conceded defeat.
This was the second first-round stoppage for Maia in as many bouts since dropping down from the middleweight division. At UFC 148, he defeated judo master Dong Hyun Kim in only 47 seconds.
Story suffered his third loss in four contests, although this is the first time he has been stopped in 20 professional bouts. Prior to this contest, a decision victory over Brock Jardine stopped a two-fight skid at the hands of Martin Kampmann and Charlie Brenneman.
What is next for each combatant? Is Maia now on the fast track toward title contention at 170 pounds? Will Story be able to recover from such a humiliating loss?
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for up-to-the-minute results from UFC 153, as well as post-fight analysis and more.
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