Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Demian Maia just choked out Ben Askren in the third round of the UFC Singapore main event.
UFC Singapore is officially in the books and was capped off with BJJ ace Demian Maia putting Ben Askren to sleep with a rear-naked choke in the third round. Maia came out looking to strike right away. Askren kept reaching for the clinch, but Maia did a sound job of escaping into open space. Both men landed their own strikes, none were too devastating. Ben finally got a takedown at the end of the first, but didn’t do much with it.
The second round saw more striking from the accomplished grapplers. Maia was landing his jab and cross while Askren scoring with his uppercut. With about a minute left in the round, Askren found a takedown. They finally started to grapple, and Maia used an oomaplata to sweep into top position. It was short lived though as Askren scrambled back on top to finish the frame in the dominant position.
The third round saw more less than polished striking out of the two to kick it off. Each man would land single strikes here and there, and then Askren hit a single leg takedown. They started to grapple again. Maia quickly swept using a leg lock attempt, and it wasn’t long before he was on the back. He attacked with a rear-naked choke, and after a slight struggle, he wound up putting Ben to sleep! Believe it or not, Maia is now on a three-fight winning streak!
Demian Maia def. Ben Askren by technical submission (RNC) at 3:54 of round 3: Welterweight
Maia does it!@DemianMaia submits Askren in round 3! Wow! #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/2OupGLsGmL
— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2019
They exchange in the pocket, just as we all expected! #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/jFIp82araS
— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2019