UFC Utica: Rivera vs. Moraes Fight Pass Prelims Results and Recap

By
Jay Anderson
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Jessica Aguilar UFC
Jessica Aguilar Credit: Gleidson Venga/Sherdog.com

The UFC Utica early prelims on Fight Pass featured the debut of ‘Shorty Torres,’ plus a strawweight scrap between Jessica Aguilar and Jodie Esquibel.

The UFC returned to action with a rare Friday night show to kick off the month of June. Going down in Utica, New York at the Adirondack Bank Center, UFC Fight Night 131, as UFC Utica was formally known, boasted a grudge match in the main event. That bout saw bantamweights Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes throw down, following a co-main event lightweight scrap between Vinc Pichel and Gregor Gillespie.

Yet before all that action unfolded, a trio of fights kicked off the entertainment on UFC Fight Pass. The streaming service saw flyweights, bantamweights, and women’s strawweights throw down, with the featured fight being the 115lb tilt between Jessica Aguilar and Jodie Esquibel.

Opening up the UFC Fight Pass action was Jarred Brooks vs. Jose Torres. While ‘The Monkey God’ had proved formidable thus far in his career, making his debut was Titan FC’s “champ champ” Jose Torres. Also known as ‘Shorty,’ the debut of Torres was long overdue, and he held the potential to shake things up at 125lbs.

Check back come fight time — that’s 6:30 PM ET — for full results and a recap of all the early action.

Jessica Aguilar vs. Jodie Esquibel

At the last moment, the NYSAC deemed Jessica Aguilar unfit to compete, meaning her fight against Jodie Esquibel was pulled from UFC Utica. Be sure to check out the full story.

Jarred Brooks vs. Jose Torres

After walking out to “Duel of the Fates” from John Williams’ Star Wars score (one of the few bright spots of the prequel films), ‘The Monkey God’ went right to work. Throwing a spinning back fist early, off a fake, Brooks wouldn’t connect. Yet just a few moments later, Brooks spun the opposite direction, and this time caught Torres. On the ground, Brooks unloaded knee after knee to the shoulder of Torres while trapping the promotional newcomer in a front head lock. Torres would eventually escape, only for Brooks to climb his back and look for a choke until round’s end.

In round two, a spinning attack by Brooks was avoided by Torres, who was then able to cinch his arms around his opponent’s waist, taking the back. The round was a much more successful affair for Torres, but Brooks was still in control. However, a double leg attempt led to a slam for Brooks, who hoisted Torres up over his shoulder. Torres nearly slipped off, and Brooks looked to get air on the slam — only to essentially knock himself out on the landing! Brooks was out of it; Torres swarmed, and captured the win.

Jose Torres def. Jarred Brooks by TKO, Round 2, 2:55

Johnny Eduardo vs. Nathaniel Wood

In bantamweight action, newcomer Nathaniel Wood held the center of the cage early, pressing the action. He caught a Johnny Eduardo kick, but couldn’t throw him off balance for a takedown. Instead, he fired off some leg kicks of his own; Eduardo countered with a punch. Near the midway point, Wood threw a left, only to eat a blow to the side of the head from Eduardo. That rocked Wood! He recovered quickly, however, at least seemingly. However moments later Eduardo tagged his opponent with another, and began unloading with combinations. Big, clubbing right hands and short lefts were landing for Eduardo. He clearly had an opening, but took his foot off the gas, allowing Wood to recover.

Round two started with Eduardo looking very loose. However, as the pair went to the mat, Nathaniel Wood went to work on the D’Arce choke. Given it was Eduardo initiating the takedown, it was a costly mistake for the Brazilian. Wood had the choke it, applied more and more pressure, and forced the tap!

Nathaniel Wood def. Johnny Eduardo by submission (D’Arce choke), Round 2, 2:18

UFC Utica Fight Pass Preliminary Results:

Jessica Aguilar vs. Jodie Esquibel – bout cancelled
Nathaniel Wood def. Johnny Eduardo by submission (D’Arce choke), Round 2, 2:18
Jose Torres def. Jarred Brooks by TKO, Round 2, 2:55

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