Chris Weidman vs. Demian Maia

The eighth bout of UFC on FOX 2 and the first to air on the network-televised main card featured middleweights Demian Maia and Chris Weidman facing off. Maia had initially been slated to fight Michael Bisping, yet Bisping was moved to the evening's co-main event due to an injury to Mark Munoz. Weidman took the fight on just 11 days notice.

The fighters began cautiously until Weidman launched an overhand right and Maia tripped to the ground. Maia threw a good knee in the clinch and the pace of the action picked up. Maia landed a nice left hand but then ate a knee as he ducked down for a takedown. The pair exchanged low kicks and with a minute remaining Weidman changed levels for a takedown. Maia got his legs free and was back to his feet. Weidman landed a nice right hand as the round came to an end.

Weidman landed trip takedown early in the second round into side mount but Maia was quickly back up. Weidman landed a few solid body shots and was the more comfortable looking fighter standing. Maia landed a few nice shots and looked much better in the final minute of the round. Weidman scored one more takedown at the end of the round and looked to put a guillotine choke on Maia as the horn sounded.

A tired-looking Weidman landed a good low kick to start the third and pulled Maia down against the fence. Maia reversed off of his back and pushed back to his feet. Both fighters threw but looked exhausted, and Maia dove forward for a takedown that Weidman sprawled out of. Blood trickled from Maia's right eye and neither fighter could do much as the clocked ticked away.

The judges scored the bout 29-28 Weidman, 29-28 Maia, and 29-28 Weidman, the winner via split decision.