UFC Fight Night 29 brought a ton of action to Barueri, Brazil on Wednesday, with a number of shocking upsets taking place at the event.
A former welterweight title challenger showed that he’s still one of the best competitors at 170 pounds, while a fighter making his welterweight debut has been handed his walking papers in victory.
How is that possible? Check out the biggest winners and losers from UFC Fight Night 29 to find out.
BIGGEST WINNER
Jake Shields – This one’s a no brainer. Shields was a massive underdog against fellow accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Demian Maia, but he managed to outgrapple the Brazilian superstar.
While Shields lost back-to-back fights to champion Georges St-Pierre and top contender Jake Ellenberger in 2011, he has compiled a 3-0(1) record since then.
While an immediate title shot seems out of the question, Shields, a former Strikeforce champ, clearly reenters the top 10 and could face the winner of Carlos Condit vs. Matt Brown at UFC on FOX 9.
WINNER
Dong Hyun Kim – “Stun gun” entered this bout as another over-hyped prospect, despite his only losses coming against top 10 fighters Carlos Condit and Demian Maia.
While Erick Silva took the fight to his Korean counterpart, Kim never relented and landed a devastating hook that put the Brazilian’s light out. Kim has now quietly put together a three-fight win streak.
WINNER
Raphael Assuncao – While many disagreed with the decision, the Brazilian bantamweight made it five in a row with his victory over TJ Dillashaw.
Assuncao showed great takedown defense and submission know how, as well as powerful striking, in this bout. The fight was close even if you had Dillashaw winning, so let’s not harp on that. Assuncao deserves a top 5 fighter next.
WINNER
Chris Cariaso – The flyweight division is paper thin, so every win is an important one at 125 pounds.
Cariaso weathered an early storm against the massive Iliarde Santos in the opening frame to come back and score a vicious TKO. Cariaso is a still a ways off from the title picture, but he avoids getting his walking papers after losing two bouts in a row before this victory.
BIGGEST LOSER
Rousimar Palhares – How can someone be the biggest loser if they won a fight in a new weight class with a 31-second submission?
Well, if your name is “Toquinho,” you held the submission well after the referee stopped the fight, giving the UFC little choice but to cut off ties.
If this was the first time it happened, that would be one thing, but the intense grappling ace has had this occur on at least four occasions, including jiu-jitsu competitions. There is simply no place for someone like that in a sport based on integrity, respect and honor.
LOSER
Demian Maia – All the multiple-time jiu-jitsu champion had to do was beat the irrelevant Jake Shields and he’d earn the next welterweight title shot without question, right?
Well, we will probably never know the answer as Shields did just enough to squeak by the third degree black belt.
Maia’s grappling offense looked a little off in this one and it cost him dearly, which he has already admitted himself. A bout with the loser of Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler remains an intriguing option.
LOSERS
Fabio Maldonado and Joey Beltran – So Maldonado technically won a split decision, but that was a hometown call if there ever was one.
Beltran held his opponent against the cage and beat his face in for the better part of three rounds, how he doesn’t get his hand raised is absolutely incredible.
LOSER
Matt Hamill – Thiago Silva showed up overweight and in poor shape, but he looked like he was ready to do an Iron Man competition compared to Matt Hamill.
The accomplished wrestler got dropped on several occasions and was nearly finished with leg kicks as he stood against the cage with his hands down at the end of the third round. Hamill should’ve stuck with his decision to retire in 2011.