Shields' reversals were nice, but only possible because Maia was attempting to actually finish the fight and taking Shields' back for a rear naked choke.
Shields conversely just laid in Maia's guard and kept busy enough to not be stood up.
When Maia was on the bottom, he implemented an open guard to attempt subs from the bottom and sweeps.
When Shields was on the bottom, he implemented a closed guard in order to stall and get the fight stood up.
Either way, I think it's hard to assume this fight would be anything but a grappling war considering the two's credentials. Neither is known for their striking, so I'm not sure why people are complaining.
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