UFC 91 featured the return of the briefly retired heavyweight champion Randy Couture, taking on the challenger Brock Lesnar in the first leg of a four-man heavyweight title tournament. The matchup was billed as ‘biggest in UFC history’ and so the undercard of this event was overlooked: the only bout besides the main event to receive any publicity was a #1 contender eliminator between Kenny Florian and Joe Stevenson for a shot at the lightweight title. Three other lightweight bouts took place in the preliminary portion of the event.
Nate Quarry vs. Demian Maia (185 lbs)
The televised card began with a striker vs. grappler matchup, and the grappler Maia wasted no time bringing the fight to the ground. From there he easily passed Quarry’s guard and achieved mount, then back control, and finished with a rear naked choke forcing a tapout less than halfway through the first round.
Fight Grade: 3/5
Aftermath: Maia once again demonstrates impeccable jiu-jitsu, gaining his fourth victory in the UFC. Since there are no clear-cut contenders for Anderson Silva’s middleweight belt, undefeated Maia can make a good case for demanding a title shot. However he instead asks for Michael Bisping in the post-fight interview, stirring up rumors that he may become the coach on the next season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, opposite of Bisping.
Quarry suffers his second loss in the UFC, dashing any hopes of title contendership in the foreseeable future. Perhaps he can take on Kendall Grove in his next bout.
[#1 W145] 
[#5 FW] 
[#6 FW] 
[#1 W105] 
[#16 W105] 
