Bad blood will be settled in the main event later tonight (Sun. June 25, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 112 from inside Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahama when submission ace Michael Chiesa looks to strangle rising prospect Kevin Lee. Prior to that Lightweight headliner, former Welterweight champ Johny Hendricks will look to remain perfect at 185 lbs. opposite Tim Boetsch. There will also be a quality veteran vs. prospect match up in the Strawweight division when Felice Herrig looks to turn away Justine Kish.
Before the top bouts get underway on FS1 starting at 9:00 p.m. ET, UFC Fight Night 112's preliminary action will go down on UFC Fight Pass starting at 5:30 p.m. ET and FS2 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Find out what happened right here as the UFC Fight Night 112 undercard recaps roll in real-time:
Clay Guida vs. Erik Koch
In a bout between two men who had recently moved from Featherweight to Lightweight, both fighters were motivated to go. Clay Guida (32-17) pressured with punches and takedowns, and Erik Koch (15-4) largely let his opponent dictate the first round. His success continued into the second, as Guida stunned the kickboxer with a looping right hand and then scored the first real takedown of the fight. He moved into the mount quickly from there, and Koch held on tight for quite some time, but Guida eventually broke free and reigned punches down on his opponent. Koch was largely saved by the bell, and the pressure was on “New Breed” to land a finish in the final frame. Unfortunately, Guida put him on his back again before long, and once again he dominated from top position.
It was a really stellar return to form from “The Carpenter,” who looked sharp at 155 lbs.
WOW! Devastating ground and pound by @ClayGuida #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/zu1jTKp8CZ
— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 26, 2017
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Vitor Miranda vs. Marvin Vettori
Like a fair amount of the fights, this bout featured a veteran’s return from a lengthy injury layoff, as Vitor Miranda (12-6) competed for the first time in over a year. Meanwhile, Italy’s Marvin Vettori (12-3) was motivated to bounce back from his first UFC loss, and he put a lot of pressure on his older opponent. Miranda kicked well from the outside, but Vettori’s pace, combination striking, and grappling made it very difficult for the Brazilian to really get anything going early on. Vettori’s pace slowed by the start of the second, which allowed Miranda to begin to turn the tide, particularly with his low kicks. A late takedown evened the round up a bit, leaving it largely up in the air with five minutes remaining. The final frame likely stood as Miranda’s best on the feet, as he chased his foe around and chopped him down with lots of kicks, but he nevertheless fell to a late takedown and did little from his back.
All in all, it was an active scrap with solid moments from both men, and Vettori’s unanimous decision victory was well deserved.
Winner by unanimous decision @MarvinVettori!! #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/sSG9WEWWw4
— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 26, 2017
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Carla Esparza vs. Maryna Moroz
Former Strawweight champion Carla Esparza (12-4) looked to bounce back from an ugly loss opposite No. 10 contender Maryna Moroz (8-2). Expectations were low heading into this bout, and frankly, it lived down to them. Esparza and Moroz landed little of significance on the feet, bouncing around and feinting while Moroz yelled with each attempted punch. As is her usual approach, Esparza jammed her opponent up with lots of takedown attempts, eventually getting on top due to solid transitional wrestling and determination. Over and over, Esparza would gain top position and avoid submission attempts, which was enough to win her the decision victory even if very little damage was done by either woman.
At the very least, it was a more clear win than her split decision loss prior, and she did show slight improvement on her feet.
A beautiful takedown by @CarlaEsparza1!! #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/qvLlhG1oBW
— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 25, 2017
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Devin Powell vs. Darell Horcher
Like the Lightweight contest featured on the Fight Pass portion of the card, this bout featured a return from a long injury layoff, as Darell Horcher (13-2) returned to the cage after a year away to face off with Devin Powell (8-3). Horcher, to his credit, showed little signs of ring rust, stalking his opponent into the fence and landing a big takedown early on. The takedown came to Horcher without much difficulty in the second as well, but this time he put some heavy punches on Powell before dragging him to the mat. Powell played for submissions from his back and threatened with the occasional kimura, but it turned out to be a poor decision that allowed Horcher to maintain top position without having to work all that hard. Powell had one real chance to turn things around and force a finish when he jumped on a series of front chokes, but Horcher remained composed and worked out of the submissions. His durability and early work scored him the success return to the cage and split decision victory.
Victory via split decision! @HorcherMMA battles adversity and gets the W! #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/bYeEb2uWjV
— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 25, 2017
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Jared Gordon vs. Michael Quinones
In a Featherweight style clash of wrestler and kickboxer, Jared Gordon (13-1) and Michael Quinnones (8-2) faced off. The pair of debuting athletes put on fun fight, but it was Gordon who found success early. Working past his opponent’s kicks with counter punches and takedowns, Gordon was able to find more consistent success. His success built upon itself, as the wrestling wore Quinones down, allowing Gordon to drop heavy ground strikes and punish his opponent’s attempts to work back to his feet. Quinones inexperience on the mat became apparent, as Gordon utterly controlled and battered his opponent until the referee called a stop near the end of the second round. It should be noted that Gordon missed weight ahead of this contest, which did little to affect his energy but puts something of an asterisk next to an otherwise stellar win.
RELENTLESS!! @JFlashGordonMMA finishes Quinones by TKO #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/fJe3naL8bC
— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 25, 2017
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Tony Martin vs. Johnny Case
Lightweight Johnny Case (22-6) returned to the cage after a lengthy layoff with a sharp first round. Moving well, Case landed long jabs and good kicks, avoiding a good deal of Tony Martin’s (12-3) punches. Martin rebounded in the second round, however, gaining a better understanding of his opponent’s movement and cracking him with counter punches. By the end of the second, Case’s face was bloodied up. It was up in the air heading into the third round, and the two traded lots of shots. The fight was very competitive throughout, but Martin secured his win in the final 20 seconds by landing a big takedown and tight kimura attempt. All three judges awarded him the decision victory, giving him the second and third rounds.
What a combo by @TMartinMMA, STUNS Johnny Case! #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/bZVmmdG1xY
— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 25, 2017
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Josh Stansbury vs. Jeremy Kimball
Jeremy Kimball (15-6) opened the night with some heat, dispatching of Josh Stansbury (8-4) in just 81 seconds. Stansbury came out aggressive and looked to land a takedown along the fence, but ultimately Kimball defended and returned to the center of the cage. From there, Kimball stepped to Stansbury with a 1-2 that landed flush, angling off and landing again on his wounded foe. Stansbury fell to the mat, and Kimball followed up for the quick finish.
AND THATS IT!!!! @JeremyKimball1 finishes in the first! #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/zNuy3B0JRl
— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 25, 2017
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