Erik Koch defeated Kyle Stewart in his UFC welterweight debut, grinding out the former LFA title challenger to win via unanimous decision.
Back in the WEC, Erik Koch was a standout featherweight. That’s the division he competed at when he first joined the UFC in 2011, as the WEC was brought by Zuffa. On Saturday night at UFC 240, however, Erik Koch will step into the octagon as a welterweight, taking on Kyle Stewart. Stewart, a former LFA title challenger, entered the night off a loss to Chance Rencountre back in January.
Koch himself was going into UFC 240 on a two-fight skid, and just 2-5 in his past seven fights. Which meant that one of these fighters was getting back in the win column. His most recent loss, was to Bobby Green at lightweight back in January of 2018.
Round 1:
The fight starts as both men touch gloves. Stewart threw the first strike, where he landed a kick. Koch pressed early, where he landed a head kick partially and a left hand behind it. . Stewart lands his power shot, with a big right hand. Koch pushed Stewart against the fence. Stewart reversed the position, tried to get a trip takedown but Koch defended. Kyle Stewart then attempted a head kick off the break that missed. Stewart tried to land his own takedown, but Koch managed to defend it. Koch landed a right hand on the exit of the clinch. Stewart returned with his own right hand down the middle. Both men threw in the pocket but majority of the shots missed. Stewart charged forward with his own flurry and then tried to get takedown. Both men stayed upright in the clinch to end the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Koch.
Round 2:
Koch was breathing a little heavy to start the second round. Stewart putting the pressure on early and landed a big right hand which landed clean. Stewart pushes Koch against the fence and is attempting a double leg takedown. Koch attempted a Guillotine choke but Stewart managed to escape. Koch reversed the position on the cage and landed his own takedown. A gruelling fight through eight minutes. Stewart gets up, but Koch manages to drag him down again for a few seconds. Stewart attempted a submission on Koch’s leg but Koch managed to take advantage to get top position. Koch wearing on Stewart against the fence, where he landed strikes as Stewart got back to his feet. Koch controlled position against the cage for the rest of the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Koch.
Round 3:
Koch landed a clean right hand, and tries to clinch Stewart. Stewart managed to frame off to escape the position. However, Koch manages to get control of Stewart’s back against the cage. Stewart gets taken down but managed to get back up. Koch is adamant to clinch Stewart. Stewart tried his own double leg, but Koch defended well and managed to get his own takedown. Koch attempted an arm-triangle choke, but settled for mount. Koch landed strikes in mount to end the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Koch (30-27 Koch).
Official Result: Erik Koch def. Kyle Stewart via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
