UFC Fight Night 29: Twitter Reacts to Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields

Jake Shields and Demian Maia required all 25 minutes of the UFC Fight Night 29 main event to determine a winner. While the former, Shields, walked away with the decision win, the judges were not unanimous, and the Brazil crowd disagreed. 

It turns out plenty of people on Twitter also disagreed, while others were eager to defend the decision. But, mostly, people just wanted to talk about the actual grappling between two of the better ground-fighters in MMA. 

Take a look at how Twitter reacted to the evening's main event:

"

I was extremely impressed with Jake Shields tonight. He did some brilliant work against an insanely good grappler. I was not bored.

— Tim B (@TB_Money) October 10, 2013"

Some thought it was the worst of fights, others were enthralled (or at least claimed to be). What'd you think of the contest?

"

That. Was. Awful.

— Evan Shoman (@shomanart) October 10, 2013"

Mr. Shoman did not approve.

"

When I talked to Shields, the thing he was most concerned about was earning a decision in Brazil. Welp, color us both shocked.

— Ryan McKinnell (@RyanMcKinnell) October 10, 2013"

He earned the decision, but just barely. 

"

I thought Demian Maia had this in the bag and we would all be pining for him vs. GSP. Boy was I wrong. Big ups to Mr. Shields.

— Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) October 10, 2013"

After dominating Jon Fitch in his last fight, Maia appeared to be on the brink of a title run at 170. Big step back after tonight. 

"

Shields credits Maia up there with GSP & Dan Henderson as his toughest fights ever. #UFCFightNight29 #UFC #MMA

— Danny Acosta (@AcostaIsLegend) October 10, 2013"

Those two fights also went 25 minutes, though Shields didn't pick up a win against GSP.

"

Taking the Over was cake. Shields by decision at +430 was the icing. Was expecting a coinflip grinder, that's what it was. See you next week

— Fightnomics Reed (@Fightnomics) October 10, 2013"

Seems just about everyone knew this fight was going the distance. The Shields pick was a little tougher.

"

Anyone know the takedown stats for Shields tonight? Because between this and the Woodley fight he's 2-0 despite maybe 0-26 on TD attempts.

— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) October 10, 2013"

Regardless of his struggling takedown offense, Shields still managed to gain top position on the ground early and often against Maia. 

"

Obviously, watching Shields isn't the most thrilling, but I love watching a guy who finds ways to compensate for his shortcomings and get Ws

— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) October 10, 2013"

Shields, never the most gifted athlete to step foot in the cage, can grind with the best of them.