UFC 148 results recap: Demian Maia vs Dong Hyun Kim fight review and analysis

A former UFC middleweight title challenger dropped down to 170 pounds last night (July 7, 2012) as Demian Maia took on "The Stun Gun" Dong Hyun Kim on the UFC 148 main card in what expected to be a very interesting back and forth battle.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, within the first minute, the fight was over.

And it was as impossible to predict as anyone could have expected due to a fluke injury to the South Korean striker/grappler.

Demian Maia had looked sluggish in his past two fights, but he came out here channeling the Maia of old.

So what did Maia do which set up the freaky flukey finish? And what happens next for both men?

Follow me after the jump for our Demian Maia vs. Dong Hyun Kim UFC 148 post-fight review and analysis.

From the second the referee motioned both men to start, Maia wasn't messing around. He immediately closed the distance, changed levels and began hunting for a takedown.

Kim fended him off initially, hopping around on one foot, but the second he left his back partially exposed, the Brazilian attacked. Maia had a hook in standing before Kim could realize what was going on and when the South Korean recovered, Maia had a deep body lock and was getting ready to slam him to the ground.

Once Kim hit the canvas on the takedown, something was wrong. Maia passed to mount immediately and dropped a few punches, but the South Korean was already done for. Kim looked to be in extreme agony and Maia, perhaps showing mercy, just got up and walked away from him as the referee stepped in and put a halt to the proceedings.

It would later come out that Kim badly injured a muscle in his core during the takedown.

For Dong Hyun Kim, there's absolutely nothing we can learn from this bout. It was a fluke finish that came out of nowhere. The only thing he could have done better was to defend Maia's takedown attempt better, but even so, who knows how the fight would have turned out.

If the injury isn't severe, I'd like to see Kim step in there against Maia again just to see what would have happened without the fluke. If that's not possible, other intriguing opponents include Charlie Brenneman or T.J. Waldburger.

For Demian Maia, while he didn't get to showcase much, what he did show was a very good sign. He's been taking flack for not properly utilizing his elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills but in this fight, he was working hard for the takedown and he was passing guard and attempting to take Kim's back. It may have been quick, but I liked what I saw. Hopefully, he can continue his success at 170 pounds.

Potential match-ups for Maia include Jon Fitch when he returns from injury, Mike Pyle or perhaps Mike Pierce. He deserves a legit opponent in the top 15 to see where he stands in the division.

So what did you think, Maniacs?

Was this fight to quick to get a real hint on how Maia will fair at 170? Do you think Kim would have stood a chance if he hadn't gotten hurt?

Sound off!

For complete UFC 148 results, including blow-by-blow, fight-by-fight coverage of the entire event as well as immediate post-fight reaction click here, here and here.