UFC on Fox 21: Maia vs Condit – Winners and Losers

Growth.

That was the theme for so many of these fights tonight. Performances that showed new wrinkles for some fighters, while others refined the items in their toolboxes to put on a show. Despite being primarily set up to be an action card, there was a fair amount of divisional movement and progress as well, with some unexpected moves up and down the ladder as well.

One of the most visible up and coming female fighters in the world took on a gritty veteran, while a former champion tries his fortunes in a different weight class against one of the top threats in the featherweight division. Then there was the main event, with two of the most beloved fighters the sport has ever seen, both of them for very, very good reason. All of this wasn’t just great narratives on paper, but fights that delivered as they played out in real life. On with the show.

Winners

Demian Maia – 38 years of age, and yet I struggle to think of anyone that works smarter than Demian Maia. From the stellar initial UFC performances, that mind-boggling championship fight against Anderson Silva, to losing in Chicago against a surging late-replacement in Chris Weidman, Maia’s welterweight run has been yet another of the most inspirational comeback stories we’ve seen in this sport. And the way he did it was impressive, with people far smarter than myself mapping out how this fight could have gone. Now on a six-fight winning streak, Maia is now yet another person with a claim to getting a crack at welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. It’s just sad that one of these guys had to lose.

Anthony Pettis – As I mentioned on Twitter, there goes Pretty Tony tapping out black belts again. First it was breaking Benson Henderson’s will to breathe with body kicks to a slick armbar, now this. Submitting a top-level MMA grappler like Oliveira is no small feat, and is a testament to how Pettis worries his opponents with his striking prowess that they ignore his submission game. Pettis ate some shots, but they didn’t seem to bother him. He landed square on Oliveira a bunch of times, snapping his head back a few times and some devastating body kicks that got some real reactions from Oliveira. Pettis was sure to let his opponent up to keep dominating while standing, and even defended beautifully when grappling in a disadvantaged position. Snapping a losing streak is one thing, doing so against one of the most feared grapplers in the division and one of the most promising young talents? That nets you bonus points in the goodwill department with the administrative folks.

Paige VanZant – Let’s get this out of the way – Paige was not doing very well here. She struggled with Bec’s use of range worse than I thought she would, and insisted on standing and trading without shooting as often as I thought she would. Bec’s strength appeared to play a factor, and Rawlings seemed more than content to counter with her inside strikes when possible, even if it wasn’t the prettiest form. That finish was classic misdirection, and Paige did an excellent job of making sure she had her distance right on to land it. Another highlight reel finish against a legit opponent, and the flashiest win on her record – all of which only bolsters the UFC’s desire to promote her as heavily as they can. You can bet a dollar they will, too.

Jim Miller – Personally, I’m with the crew that thinks Lauzon won that fight. Still, it was a close bout, and I can also see the case for Miller winning despite disagreeing with it. All in all, this wasn’t a robbery, it was a close bout for which any frustration with the end result is justified, but not worth getting enraged over. Miller did a lot better standing than I thought he did, mixing it up with some heavy strikes to the body and making his way in and out as he connected. Miller continues to be game for anything the fight game throws his way.

Sam Alvey – It’s fine to not like Sam Alvey, but you’d better be ready to get some odd looks cast your way if you confess to that in polite company. He defended the takedown threats and didn’t seem to be at the strength …

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