UFC Oklahoma City went down Sunday from the state capitol, and after the UFC Fight Pass Prelims concluded, it was time for a four-pack of fights on Fox Sports 2. The UFC Fight Night 112 Fox Sports 2 prelims were capped by fan favorite Clay Guida taking on former featherweight standout Erik Koch. That was far from the only action on the FS2 portion of the card, however.
In a key women’s strawweight bout, former 115lb champ Carla Esparza returned to take on Maryna Moroz. Moroz entered the night on a two fight win streak, and with a nearly flawless record outside her lone loss to Valerie Letourneau.
Check back throughout the event for the FS2 Preliminary results and a full recap!
Devin Powell vs. Darrell Horcher
A lightweight bout opened the card, with Devin Powell light on his feet and threatening with high kicks early. Horcher was soon looking to catch those, but wound up taking a pair of hard kicks on his right knee that quickly showed some color. Powell would then look to take the fight down, but Horcher was able to roll through and wind up on top. He went to work from half guard, landing significant ground and pound. Powell went with the flow, connecting with some strikes from the bottom, but was unable to get off his back before the round came to a close.
In the second, after some early exchanges, the pair clinched, with Powell landing a leg kick on the exit. Powell then ate a short left and found himself in Horcher’s standing guillotine attempt. Powell kept his cool and changed positions to escape the choke attempt, but he was opened up and dropped moments later. Horcher followed him to the mat, working in Powell’s guard. Horcher managed to trap an arm of Powell, and used his other hand to land a number of strikes from the top, mixing in elbows. In short, it was all Horcher in round two.
Round three begged the question, just what if any was Powell’s path to victory? With his corner telling him he needed a finish, the question was where, as he had to that point been outclassed both on the feet and on the ground.
Leg kicks from Horcher took Powell off balance, and Horcher began to put a little more behind his punches and Powell simply wasn’t threatening. Power finally, desperately pushed Horcher up against the cage wall, but Horcher was able to reverse, snake his hands around Powell’s legs, and work for the takedown. Powell, despite being taken down, saw his best moment of the fight as he managed to threaten with an anaconda choke, however Horcher was able to transition out. Powell, now on top with the reversal, looked for a D’arce choke, then dropped elbows to the head.
It wasn’t enough in the end however, as Darrell Horcher would go on to win via decision.
Darrell Horcher def. Devin Powell by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Carla Esparza vs. Maryna Moroz
Former champ Carla Esparza took on the “other” Iron Lady in the second fight of the UFC Oklahoma City Fox Sports 2 prelims. Knowing Esparza, the takedown would be inevitable, the question was, could Moroz defend or at least get back to her feet quickly?
Esparza flashed some solid combos early on in the first round, with Moroz countering and constantly moving side to side in an attempt to keep her opponent guessing. That combined with her jab turned the affair into a waiting game early, as the former champion was unable to commit to the takedown. When a single leg attempt finally did come midway through the round, Moroz was easily able to pull her leg free. A later takedown, however, was unavoidable, though Moroz tried to defend using a guillotine. Moroz couldn’t hold on, however, and as Esparza broke free, she looked to land short punches and elbows while Moroz attacked from the bottom with a number of elbows of her own.
While Esparza’s take down game was slow to get going, she was still finding some success on the feet early in the second, and mixed in a superman punch that landed clean. Moroz continued to counter, and was able to stuff the next takedown attempt. However, a later shot in was too powerful for Moroz to defend, and Esparza went to work within her opponent’s guard. As Moroz worked back to her feet, she did eat a number of shots, but managed to stay standing til the bell. The second round belonged to Esparza however.
In the third, Esparza’s game plan was clearly winning her the fight, and the question became whether Moroz could adjust hers. Moroz began pressing the action a little more, and was able to stuff an early shot by Esparza. A low blow briefly broke up the action, after which Moroz connected with one of her better punches in the fight. Esparza then landed another takedown, and with Moroz controlling her wrists from the bottom, used shoulder strikes to keep the ref from standing them up. That only lasted so long, however.
Once they eventually were stood up, there was just over a minute remaining in the third and final frame. Moroz continued to press, but Esparza quickly changed levels and dragged her opponent down. Take downs in the end made the difference.
Carla Esparza def. Maryna Moroz by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Vitor Miranda vs. Marvin Vettori
Middleweights were up next. Amazingly, Vettori is a former welterweight, while Miranda competed at heavyweight on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil. Vettori used constant boxing pressure to control Miranda and connect a number of times early. Miranda threw a number of high kicks, but Vettori was controlling the fight. A flying knee against the cage and a barrage of punches added emphasis to that. Miranda survived, but before long he’d been taken down and pressed up against the fence by Vettori.
Round two saw the action slow, which allowed Miranda some time to regroup. Vettori attempted to change levels and secure a double leg, but couldn’t finish. He did, however, start to turn things up a few minutes later, throwing a body kick that landed clean, and showing fast hands. Miranda answered with a hard leg kick, but he seemed unable to put anything together, and found himself bloodied as the round wore on. Vettori managed to add a pair of takedowns towards the end of the frame, likely putting him well ahead on the scorecards.
Vitor Miranda likely needed a finish to stave off a loss, and with Vettori starting to fatigue, there was a chance. However, it was Vettori who connected early and often in the round. Miranda landed with a knee, and Vettori responded in kind. A sharp high kick by Miranda missed. Vettori would continue to control throughout the round, and with a minute to go land a takedown alongside the cage. He would pass into half guard, leaving Miranda nowhere to go. That would take us to the end, and it went to the judges.
Marvin Vettori def. Vitor Miranda by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Clay Guida vs. Erik Koch
Clay Guida returned to lightweight in the featured prelim fight at UFC Oklahoma City. Koch held the center to start. Guida, as was expected, stayed busy, always moving. A few early exchanges didn’t phase either man. At the midway mark of the first Guida shot in and pressed Koch against the fence, but Koch was able to defend. Guida, however, continued to grind him out, then finally dumped him, though Koch was right back to his feet. He managed to reverse, and that nearly took us to round’s end — when Koch caught and stunned him with a high kick.
In the second, Guida connected with an overhand right then rushed in and took Koch to the ground. From the top, he worked to control and while Koch displayed good wrist control Guida used shoulder strikes t score. Breaking free of Koch’s grip he then moved to side control briefly, then gained mount with half the round remaining. Koch was able to survive quite a while, but it was not a comfortable position to be in. Towards the end of the round Guida finally managed to open up and really rain some fire, but Koch managed to continue defending, and survived to see the third.
The third saw Guida in control once more. Once he got the fight to the ground, those patented Guida shoulder strikes came out again. Koch once again found himself mounted and unable to escape for a good part of the round. Guida stayed active, and Koch proved to be a tough, wiley customer, yet ultimately it was all Clay Guida in the third. The fight, like all the Fox Sports 2 prelims, went to the scorecards, but it was never a question as to who won.
Clay Guida def. Erik Koch by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-26, 30-27)
UFC Oklahoma City Fox Sports 2 Preliminary Card Results
Clay Guida def. Erik Koch by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-26, 30-27)
Marvin Vettori def. Vitor Miranda by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Carla Esparza def. Maryna Moroz by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Darrell Horcher def. Devin Powell by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
