What is age but a number for Demian Maia? The 41-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artist returned to the Octagon for the first time in nearly a year in a welterweight bout against the "American Cyborg" Lyman Good at UFC Fight Night 144 in Fortaleza, Brazil.
It was a classic case of a world-class Jiu-Jitsu artist in Maia, whom many consider to be the best ground fighter in the UFC, verse a pure-muscle striker in Good.
In an effort to bring the fight to the ground, Maia went for his signature leg takedown. It was successful enough for Good to lose his balance, allowing Maia to eventually take his back. Clinging to Good's back, Maia eventually got him to submit midway through the first round. Check out the finish below.
With the victory, Maia becomes the fourth fighter in UFC history to reach 20 wins, joining Donald Cerrone (22), Georges St-Pierre (20), and Michael Bisping (20). Maia, who has two more fights left under his UFC contract, mentioned that retirement is a possibility when his contract is up.