The state of the UFC welterweight division was up for grabs at UFC 214.

Reigning champion Tyron Woodley squared off with challenger Demian Maia in the co-main event Saturday night from Anaheim. The former University of Missouri standout came into the tilt fresh off ending his rivalry with Stephen Thompson and looking to cement a successful championship run as a certified dynasty.

Standing in his way was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace whose penchant from ground fighting and a less than fan-friendly style played a role in his long road to a title opportunity. Nevertheless, Maia kept his nose to the proverbial grindstone, dominated one opponent after the next and seven years following his first crack at gold at UFC 112 in April of 2010.

The bout was figured by many to be a stylistic clash of the highest level and that's what it delivered. Granted, there was nothing remotely pretty or outstanding about it, but the bout was a technical battle all the same.

Woodley stopped Maia's takedowns and landed some power punches in between. The Brazilian had no answer but continued to push the action while the champion was more than happy to coast on landing single shots then circling out.

The St. Louis native took an easy unanimous decision in what was a lackluster fight from start to finish. Hey....Woodley stuffed 23 of Maia's takedowns. That's something.

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