EDMONTON – Erik Koch beat Kyle Stewart via unanimous decision on Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC 240.
Take a look inside the fight with Koch, who was successful in his welterweight debut after previously competing at lightweight and featherweight in the octagon.
Result: Erik Koch def. Kyle Stewart by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Koch (15-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC), Stewart (11-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Key stat: Koch landed four takedowns; Stewart went 0-for-7 in his takedown attempts.
Koch on the fight’s key moment
“He was definitely a lot more agile. I thought he was going to plot and come forward more. He was definitely not reckless on his feet. I tried to work the body but he was being very evasive. He was putting a lot into staying on his feet, so I knew eventually if I just baited he would eventually tire out and I would eventually get him down, and that’s what happened.”
Koch on fighting at welterweight after late father’s wishes
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world. It’s one of those things that was unexpected, he was super healthy. He joked around with me all time walking around at 195, he was like, ‘Man, you’re going to finish your career at 185.’ That’s craziness, but he always knew I should move up in weight class. … This is important for all of us, especially my mom.
“I train with people who fight at 170 and 185. Cutting weight is dangerous At 145 I used to cut from 185 or sometimes 190, just to get down to 145. I want to Donald Cerrone this. What I mean in if the UFC calls me up on two weeks’ (notice), I want to be like, ‘Yup, I can take it.’ At ’45 I need like three months.”
Koch on what he wants next
“Staying active. That’s all I want. I’m so sick of the layoffs. I was supposed to fight Jose Aldo here way back in the day at ’45. I would need three or four months to make ’45 and I would be lucky not to get injured and my body would get so brittle I would be tearing my knees and breaking my hand. The goal for me right now is just staying active. Nah (no opponent stand outs). Just, whatever. Just fight.”
To hear more from Koch, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
And for complete coverage of UFC 240, check out the MMA Results.
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