Shields tops Maia in main event of Brazil UFC card

Jake Shields won a split decision over Demian Maia in the main event of the UFC Fight Night 29 card in Sao Paulo on Wednesday night.

The welterweight bout turned largely into a jiujitsu match between two of the division’s top grapplers.

Shields started to take control in the middle rounds of the five-round affair. He held top position throughout the second round and much of the third.

The loss ended a three-fight win streak for Maia, who was fighting in his hometown.

Also on the card, Dong Hyun Kim stunned rising welterweight prospect Erick Silva with a second-round knockout. Silva had been battering Kim throughout the round, but Kim landed a huge left hand, and Silva tried to throw a punch down the middle, and Kim knocked him out cold.

Thiago Silva won a unanimous decision over Matt Hamill in a light heavyweight bout, and Fabio Maldonado scored a split decision over light heavyweight Joey Beltran.

Rousimar Palhares made his welterweight debut by submitting Mike Pierce by heel hook 31 seconds into the first round.