Demian Maia did what he needed to do to return to contention over Dan Miller. But he didn't get a definitive finish.
Both middleweights came into this match off a loss to another top contender. The Brazilian Demian Maia got KTFO'd by Nate Marquardt and Dan Miller lost to Chael Sonnen. Both winners going on to meet higher up on the card.
Maia came out early and took the center of the cage and landed the first hard punch. He then clinched and threatened a takedown via trip. But Miller fought it off. Maia answered with a high kick that landed on breaking. He did it again and then put MIller on his back. But Miller escaped.
Then Maia caught Miller with a nut shot by knee. After the break, Miller came out moving in and out and throwing leg kicks. Maia still managed to connect first on the feet. Miller trying to counter-strike. Then they clinched again and Maia landed a slick trip that Miller quickly stood up and recovered from.
Miller survived the first round and they came out sweaty for round two. Maia connected with several hard shots. Announcer Mike Goldberg credited Maia's training with Wanderlei Silva with his standing dominance. Miller landed to the body. Maia looked like he needed some Rock Star energy drink in mid-round. Maia then landed some hard straight punches. Maia did enough to win the round presumably.
In the third Miller threw off some takedown attempts and even seemed to stun Maia and drop him with a punch. But then Maia got him down with a slick trip and worked him with strikes. Miller escaped to his feet and then stuffed a shot and briefly seems to have a choke. But Maia shrugged that off and soon had Miller on her back. where he worked his opponent. Miller ended the fight on his back, working a butterfly guard and then threatened a triangle that Maia escaped.