UFC 214: Boos rain down as Tyron Woodley scores unanimous-decision victory over Demian Maia at UFC 214

Calvin Kattar, right, goes after Andre Fili in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Calvin Kattar, left, battles Andre Fili in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Calvin Kattar, right, goes after Andre Fili in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Calvin Kattar, right, goes after Andre Fili in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Calvin Kattar reacts after beating Andre Fili in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brian Ortega, right, connects with Renato Moicano in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brian Ortega, right, connects with Renato Moicano in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brian Ortega, right, connects with Renato Moicano in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brian Ortega, right, connects with Renato Moicano in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brian Ortega reacts after beating Renato Moicano via choke in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aljamain Sterling, left, fights Renan Barao in the catchweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aljamain Sterling, left, fights Renan Barao in the catchweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aljamain Sterling, left, fights Renan Barao in the catchweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aljamain Sterling, left, fights Renan Barao in the catchweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aljamain Sterling, left, fights Renan Barao in the catchweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aljamain Sterling reacts after beating Renan Barao in the catchweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ricardo Lamas (red) fights Jason Knight (blue) in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ricardo Lamas (red) fights Jason Knight (blue) in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ricardo Lamas (red) fights Jason Knight (blue) in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ricardo Lamas (red) fights Jason Knight (blue) in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ricardo Lamas (red) fights Jason Knight (blue) in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ricardo Lamas (red) beats Jason Knight (blue) via knock out in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ricardo Lamas reacts after beating Jason Knight via knock out in the featherweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Actor Dwayne Johnson attends the UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Volkan Oezdemir (blue) fights Jimi Manuwa (red) in the light heavyweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Volkan Oezdemir, right, fights Jimi Manuwa (red) in the light heavyweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Volkan Oezdemir (blue) reacts after beating Jimi Manuwa (red) in the light heavyweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Volkan Oezdemir reacts after beating Jimi Manuwa in the light heavyweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Personnel attend Jimi Manuwa after losing to Volkan Oezdemir in the light heavyweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Robbie Lawler (red) fights Donald Cerrone (blue) in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Robbie Lawler (red) fights Donald Cerrone (blue) in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Robbie Lawler (red) fights Donald Cerrone (blue) in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Robbie Lawler (red) fights Donald Cerrone (blue) in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Robbie Lawler (red) fights Donald Cerrone (blue) in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Robbie Lawler (red) fights Donald Cerrone (blue) in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Robbie Lawler, left, beats Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cris Cyborg (red) fights Tonya Evinger (blue) in the women’s featherweight title bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cris Cyborg (red) fights Tonya Evinger (blue) in the women’s featherweight title bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cris Cyborg (red) fights Tonya Evinger (blue) in the women’s featherweight title bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cris Cyborg (red) fights Tonya Evinger (blue) in the women’s featherweight title bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cris Cyborg reacts after beating Tonya Evinger in the women’s featherweight title bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cris Cyborg reacts after beating Tonya Evinger in the women’s featherweight title bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tyron Woodley (left) fights Demian Maia in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tyron Woodley (right) fights Demian Maia in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tyron Woodley (right) fights Demian Maia in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tyron Woodley (left) fights Demian Maia in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tyron Woodley (left) fights Demian Maia in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tyron Woodley reacts after beating Demian Maia in the welterweight bout at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Jones, left, lands a head kick on Daniel Cormier during UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG).
Jon Jones (blue) fights Daniel Cormier (red) during UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday July, 29, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG).

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ANAHEIM — If styles make fights, the fans at UFC 214 saw the co-main event between welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia like a pair of jorts.

In a matchup between a counter-striking champion and an elite grappler, the action wasn’t up to the crowd’s muster, with boos raining down often during Woodley’s unanimous-decision victory over Maia on Saturday night at Honda Center.

The judges scored it 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 for Woodley (17-3-1), who successfully defended his title for the third time since winning it a year ago Sunday.

His last fight — a majority-decision victory in a rematch with Stephen Thompson at UFC 209 in March, was also criticized for lack of action by the fans in Las Vegas.

With Maia regarded as the best grappler in the UFC, Woodley was content to wait to stuff Maia’s takedown attempts and trade punches if Maia came in throwing.

Woodley, with a 91-percent takedown defense rate, denied Maia some 23 times. By the second round, with Woodley sweating, he was able to simply slip his foot or leg away from Maia’s grasp.

After the first minute of the fight, Maia had a sizable welt under his left eye, which might have affected him the remaining 24 minutes.

In the second round, Woodley was more aggressive and threw a right that put Maia’s butt on the canvas. The fans turned on them shortly after that.

By the end of the fight, the boos had turned to “Boring!” chants, fans doing the wave and waving the flashlights on their phones.

Jones reclaims his spot on top

Jon Jones is back to claim what he never lost.

Jones, in his first appearance since April 23, 2016, won back his UFC light heavyweight title with a third-round TKO stoppage of Daniel Cormier.

After a back and forth opening two round, Jones started his path to victory with a head kick that sent Cormier (19-2) staggering around the octagon, eventually falling to the canvas.

Jones (23-1) then pounced on top, landed several unanswered punches, forcing referee John McCarthy to stop the fight.

“It feels unbelievable,” Jones told the crowd. “All the love and support, I know it isn’t easy to root me, but I love you all so much. You guys motivated me to keep fighting.

“I didn’t throw many high kicks and I surprised him with that.”

The end came at 3:01 of the round.

The anticipation filling the arena at the start of the fight and the first round didn’t disappoint. Jones, utilizing his reach advantage was able to keep Cormier at distance for most of the round.

However, Cormier, worked his way in and found success with body kicks and combination punches.

Despite all of their animosity toward each other, Jones and Cormier had only met once in the octagon and that was back at UFC 182, Jan. 3, 2015.

They were scheduled to meet at uFC 200, but that fight was cancelled after Jones tested positive for banned substances.

Jones was stripped of the light heavyweight title in 2015. With the title vacant, Cormier defeated Anthony Rumble Johnson at UFC 187 to become the new champion.

‘Cyborg’ Justino dominant on her way to title

Cris “Cyborg” Justino turned in another dominant performance in her fight against Tonya Evinger for the vacant UFC female featherweight title.

Justino (18-1) had very little resistance from challenger Tonya Evinger, wearing her down leading to a third-round TKO victory to win the title.

The title was vacated after Germaine de Randamie was stripped of her title after she refused to defend her title against Justino.

Justino was initially scheduled to face Megan Anderson, but Anderson was forced out due to an injury.

De Randamie defeated Holly Holm at UFC 208 to become the first UFC female featherweight champion.

Evinger, the Invicta FC 135-pound champion, stepped up to take the fight.

Evinger was able to survive the first round. She was even able to work in a couple of takedowns, but Justino didn’t stay down long.

Once on her feet, Justino kept the pressure on, landing kicks and following with her sharp punches.

The second round, which many didn’t think would happen, had the look of a sparring session as Justino landed her shots at will, constantly backing Evinger up.

In the third round, Justino continued on the attack, sending Evinger back up against the cage. Justino then connected with several knees, sending Evinger down and referee Mike Beltran stepped in to stop the fight at 1:56.

Lawler edges Cerrone

The fans booed the decision. If anything, perhaps it should have been a five-round fight.

Former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler earned the unanimous decision over Donald Cerrone in a highly anticipated battle that had fans cheering and chanting.

All three judges scored it 29-28.

Ranked No. 3, Lawler (28-11, 1 NC), fighting first the first time in 364 days since getting knocked out for the title by Woodley, stormed out early, smothering and pummeling Cerrone.

The second round, which Lawler appeared to take off, was all Cerrone (32-9, 1 NC), who mixed it up with punches, kicks and elbows.

It came down to the final round. In the eyes of all three judges, Lawler appeared to do more damage. Ranked No. 6, Cerrone was smiling as the crowd railed on the decision for Lawler.

Lawler looks to be in the mix for the welterweight title, though the next shot figures to go to former champion Georges St-Pierre.

Oezdemir makes quick work of Manuwa

Volkan Oezdemir has NO TIME for you! #UFC214 pic.twitter.com/Cqt8nxSeQ7

— Jonathan Khamis (@JonathanKhamis) July 30, 2017

Fifth-ranked light heavyweight Volkan Oezedmir just called next.

With all of the attention placed on the light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, Oezdemir showed in his 22 second demolition of third-ranked Jimi Manuwa that he’s not a fighter to overlook.

The fight was the opener of the main card.

Oezdemir initially hurt Manuwa in the clinch with a left hand and continue applying pressure, eventually sending the third-ranked Manuwa crashing to the canvas.

Oezdemir (15-1) has now won five consecutive fights.

This was just the third fight in the UFC for Oezdemir. He made his debut against Ovince St. Preux winning by split decision. In May he scored a first-round knockout of Misha Cirkunov.

Oezdemir said he has his sights set on the winner of the main event.

Manuwa’s two-fight winning streak is halted.

UFC 214: Boos rain down as Tyron Woodley scores unanimous-decision victory over Demian Maia at UFC 214

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