Ukrainian UFC women’s flyweight Maryna Moroz didn’t have an easy build-up to her octagon return, but she got the job done.
Moroz picked up a dominant submission win over Mariya Agapova on Saturday at UFC 272 in Las Vegas. Moroz (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) tapped Agapova (10-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) with an arm-triangle choke at the 3:27 mark of Round 2 in what was her first fight since March 2020.
Moroz, who’s from Vilnohirsk, Ukraine, had a very emotional preparation ahead of UFC 272 given the ongoing war being waged by Russia in her country. Moroz, 30, expressed serious concern for her family back home and that her father was building “home grenades” in aiding Ukrainian troops.
In her post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Moroz delivered an emotional speech.
“If you know my country has war right now, and my family is in Ukraine,” Moroz said. “I had a hard week. I worried. I cried because my family right now is in a bad situation. Thank you for everyone who messaged me and supported me because this week was hard for me. I wanted to cry because of this war in my country. Thank you, everyone.”
Powerful words from an emotional Maryna Moroz competing in incredibly tough circumstances
#UFC272 pic.twitter.com/U35HcBvj3C
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) March 6, 2022
With this result, Moroz is now on a three-fight wining streak and undefeated since moving up to 125 pounds. Her last defeat came at strawweight in a decision loss to former Invicta FC champion Angela Hill back in 2018.
You can watch Moroz submission win at UFC 272 in the video below.
LOCKS IN THE SUB
Maryna Moroz with the dominant finish to end it RD 2!
[ #UFC272 | Prelims are LIVE on E+ ] pic.twitter.com/ny7MJXjccI
— UFC (@ufc) March 6, 2022
https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/ufc-272-ukraine-maryna-moroz-victorious-speech-russian-invasion