Former strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk is giving credit to Maryna Moroz for her outstanding performanceat UFC 272. For over a year, Moroz and Agapova have argued over disputes that took place when they were training partners, similar to the grudge match between Covington and Masvidal. At UFC 272, Moroz did what she set out to…
At UFC 272, Moroz did what she set out to do that night and left no room to talk. On Saturday, she shut down their rivalry by submitting the “Demonslayer” in the second round of their match.
Maryna Moroz and Mariya Agapova, Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Due to injuries, the Octagon has not seen the Ukrainian fighter for two years, yet she fought like she hasn’t missed a day.
Born in Vil’nohirs’k, Ukraine, Moroz fights while her family is at home. The immense pressure to fight that night, for herself and for her country, is an inspiration to many.
Fellow American Top Team member and decorated UFC fighter Joanna J?drzejczyk showed nothing but respect for Moroz.
“Maryna Moroz was sitting here a minute ago. Guys, she put on a hell of a performance. It’s been two years, she hasn’t fought because of so many injuries. But we all know what’s happening in Ukraine, in Europe, and I think she deserves double bravo or respect (for) how she’s handling all of this. It’s hard. Her family is there, in Ukraine, fighting for life. So this girl has done really big things tonight. So big congrats Maryna. We are very happy for you,” J?drzejczyk stated in a media scrum following UFC 272.
After the impressive win, Moroz was brought to tears in a post-fight interview when explaining the situation in Ukraine.
Moroz fought hard on March 5, and as the only female fighter in the UFC from Ukraine, she has shown how remarkable she truly is.
What are your thoughts on Maryna Moroz’s UFC 272 performance?
UFC women’s flyweight Maryna Moroz says the UFC’s official Russian Instagram account blocked her based on her nationality. While fighting is, in itself, an intense sport with high stakes, not many will have entered a cage in as difficult a scenario as Moroz did this past weekend. With war waging in her native country of…
UFC women’s flyweight Maryna Moroz says the UFC’s official Russian Instagram account blocked her based on her nationality.
While fighting is, in itself, an intense sport with high stakes, not many will have entered a cage in as difficult a scenario as Moroz did this past weekend. With war waging in her native country of Ukraine, “Iron Lady” took to the Octagon at UFC 272 to face Mariya Agapova.
In the context of her fighting career, Moroz’s first-round submission represented victory in her first fight since 2020, extended her win streak to three, and earned bragging rights over her former ATT teammate.
But more importantly, it saw the 30-year-old Ukrainian fight through an immense level of adversity and emotion that few will experience in their lifetime. Ultimately, Moroz proudly held her flag aloft inside the T-Mobile Arena and delivered a victory for her country that comes at a time when so many have experienced personal losses.
The Iron Lady Maryna Moroz makes it ?????-????????!
While her focus has, and will continue to be, directed towards her family in Ukraine, an Eastern European country in the midst of a Russian invasion, it seems the tension between the two nations hasn’t been reserved for solely across the Atlantic in Moroz’s case.
“Yeah (I was happy with my performance). I think people forget about me,” said Moroz. “Because before I win fight, I have records, year 2020 (was my last win). But, you know, you see, Russian Instagram doesn’t post me after my (last fight). He blocked me. But after I give interview, he unblocked, but never posted me, only posted my opponent. It gave me more energy to win this fight.”
While she didn’t provide a name, the “he” she refers to could be the UFC’s Vice President of Russia & CIS, Andre Gromkowski, who frequently posts about the account’s growth across social media.
When asked why she believes the account blocked her, Moroz simply said with a shrug, “Because I’m from Ukraine.”
Moroz Reveals Difficult Pre-Fight Feelings
Following her victory at UFC 272, Moroz was brought to tears as she took the mic in front of the crowd and entire fanbase.
Having addressed the ongoing conflict in her country during fight week and spoken out against the man behind it, “Iron Lady” let her emotions out after what has undoubtedly been a difficult period for the flyweight.
Discussing the pressure she felt as she tried to balance her worries about Ukraine with the preparation for her fight, Moroz further told the media about the nerves she was feeling in the days leading up to the March 5 PPV.
“I had a lot of pressure. I was nervous about the war in Ukraine,” said Moroz. “All this week, I felt nervous, I was crying. But I tried to focus… It was really hard for me because I see in Ukraine how terrible the situation is. But I focused, and I won the fight.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of MMA News or its members. Two days after the invasion, as Russian forces were closing in on his hometown of Irpin, Ukraine, Bellator Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov addressed his Instagram followers. “Probably, many will think that I…
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of MMA News or its members.
Two days after the invasion, as Russian forces were closing in on his hometown of Irpin, Ukraine, Bellator Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov addressed his Instagram followers.
“Probably, many will think that I ran away, I’m hiding or something like that, but this is not so,” said Amosov. “I took my family to the safe zone. Now I have returned and will defend this country as best I can, with what I can.”
Amosov is one of several high profile Ukrainian fighters taking up arms against a Russian invasion that has so far claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians. Boxing greats Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, who are reportedly on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ‘kill list,’ have also vowed to serve on the front lines. So too current boxing stars Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko.
While these men and so many other Ukrainians are risking their lives to defend their homeland, it almost seems trivial to talk about the implications that the Russian invasion may have for MMA. But with much of the West placing economic sanctions on Russia and as the horrors of the war continue to unfold before us, should top promotions like the UFC and Bellator make an ethical decision to ban Russian fighters from competing?
Left: Former heavyweight boxing great and current mayor of Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. Right: Pound-for-pound boxing great Vasyl Lomachenko in the military fatigues of the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defense Battalion.
A War Bleeding Into Global Sport
Last week, Polish-based MMA promotion KSW did just that, making what it termed an “ethically justifiable decision” to cancel Russian fighter Shamil Musaev’s upcoming fight. While this decision must be considered within the context of Poland’s close geopolitical proximity to the war in Ukraine, the ban followed similar actions taken by some of the world’s biggest sporting bodies.
Due to the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, KSW has made a tough, albeit ethically justifiable, decision to cancel Russian fighter Shamil Musaev’s fight, which was scheduled for KSW 68 on March 19th in Radom.
FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has banned Russia from competing at the World Cup, and similar bans have also followed in tennis, hockey, athletics, and F1 racing. Countries, too, have made a point of punishing Russian athletes. Shortly following the invasion of Ukraine, the UK government cancelled visas issued to the men’s basketball team of Belarus, a close Russian ally, banning it from the country.
I have cancelled the visas of the Belarusian Men’s Basketball Team who were due to play in Newcastle tomorrow night.
The UK will not welcome the national sports teams of those countries who are complicit in Putin’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of #Ukraine.
This particular ban could have near-term implications for the UFC, which will hold its first event in the UK since the COVID-19 outbreak two years ago. UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall, set for March 19 in London, will feature four Russian fighters, including heavyweights Shamil Abdurakhimov, Sergei Pavlovich, and headliner Alexander Volkov. Their participation in the card is now in doubt thanks to the UK government’s hardline stance.
UFC President Dana White, whose forehead vein seems to be at bursting point most of the time thanks to the logistical nightmares presented by COVID-19, now has the political ramifications of a European war to factor into his event planning. Not only is the aforementioned Fight Night in doubt, but Petr Yan could also face difficulties entering the US for his long-awaited rematch with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 273 on April 9 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Petr Yan (PHOTO: USA TODAY)
“Like I tell you guys all the time, just when you think the world’s about to get normal again, it gets even nuttier,” White said in an interview with TSN last week. “If Petr Yan cannot get into the country?’ I have no idea what’s going to happen with Russia and all these other things. I don’t know.”
And it’s not only Petr Yan who may face visa challenges. You never know how the US government might treat a fighter like Khamzat Chimaev, who while a naturalized Swede, maintains close ties with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov—a loyal ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Argument Against Banning Russian MMA Fighters
Vladimir Putin, like many strong-man leaders of the former Soviet Union, has a history of fraternizing with some of MMA’s biggest stars. A long-time relationship with Russian heavyweight great Fedor Emelianenko, in between much publicized meetings with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, have all been part of his attempt to “sportswash” the many crimes of his regime.
A ban on Russians competing in the likes of the UFC or Bellator would therefore seem by some an appropriate punitive measure against Putin. But as the Russian military becomes bogged down in an increasingly difficult war, while suffering the dire economic consequences of US-led sanctions, banning Russian fighters—or any of its athletes, for that matter—is highly unlikely to register on Putin’s list of things to worry about, nor factor into his geopolitical decisions going forward. Rather, it will simply punish the fighters.
Regardless of any ethical argument in favor of a ban, the UFC, which under the guise of Dana White has historically been staunchly apolitical, is far from likely to place a ban on Russian fighters. Considering there are 27 Russians currently fighting in the promotion—the third largest national cohort after the US and Brazil—the effect on the UFC’s bottom line would be dire.
The Silence Of Russian Fighters
So, perhaps the ethical responsibility of denouncing the Russian invasion falls upon the nations fighters? Newly-signed Ukrainian UFC light heavyweight Ihor Potiera believes so. Last week, the Contender Series alum called out freshly-minted UFC Hall of Famer Nurmagomedov for remaining silent on the conflict.
“You were loved by millions,” Potiera said in an Instagram story (h/t Bloody Elbow). “You’ve been an example in many martial arts gyms. You started your career in Ukraine. You speak about honor and faith. And now you are silent.”
Khabib, however, isn’t the only Russian MMA fighter to remain silent on the Ukraine war. Thus far, only Petr Yan has made a statement, posting a peace symbol in a since-deleted Instagram story. However, it must be noted that in a country like Russia, no matter how nominally democratic it is, those who voice dissent at a time of war could face severe consequences.
But while the UFC’s Russian fighters have remained silent, those from Ukraine certainly haven’t. And perhaps the most outspoken has been women’s flyweight Maryna Moroz, who following her victory at UFC 272 on Saturday, delivered an emotional speech that showed just how real the conflict is for Ukraine’s fighters.
“My family is in Ukraine,” said Moroz to the Las Vegas crowd. “I had a hard week. I worried, I cried, because my family is right now in a bad situation. Thank you to everyone who messaged me, because this week was hard for me. I want to cry because of this war my country is in.”
Maryna Moroz gave a poignant post-fight interview at UFC 272 last night. The Ukrainian picked up a second-round arm-triangle submission win over Kazakhstan’s Mariya Agapova on the card before emotionally addressing the crowd post-fight. “My family is in Ukraine,” she said. “I had a hard week. I worried, I cried, because my family is right […]
Maryna Moroz gave a poignant post-fight interview at UFC 272 last night.
“My family is in Ukraine,” she said. “I had a hard week. I worried, I cried, because my family is right now in a bad situation.
“Thank you to everyone who messaged me, supported me, because this week was hard for me. I wanted to cry because of this war my country is in.
“I have a lot of pressure. All this week I feel nervous, I cried. I tried to focus. Many people don’t know, but it was really hard for me. I see in Ukraine how terrible the situation is. It was really my heart almost crying. But I did it. I focused and I did fight.”
Moroz says she has already lost some friends in the war and is particularly worried about her mother’s safety.
“I’m nervous about my mother,” Moroz stressed. “I don’t want Russian people to come and kill my family, because many of my friends have died right now.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)
Ukraine flyweight staple, Maryna Moroz made a successful Octagon return for the first time since March 2020 — stopping former American Top Team teammate, the highly-touted, Mariya Agapova with a hugely one-sided second round arm-triangle on the preliminary card of UFC 272. Moroz, who has now managed to land victories in each of her last […]
Ukraine flyweight staple, Maryna Moroz made a successful Octagon return for the first time since March 2020 — stopping former American Top Team teammate, the highly-touted, Mariya Agapova with a hugely one-sided second round arm-triangle on the preliminary card of UFC 272.
Moroz, who has now managed to land victories in each of her last three outings under the promotion’s banner, turned in her sixth professional submission win with her second round stoppage over Agapova.
Grinding on the Kazakh native, Moroz threatened in the opening round with a rear-naked choke, before patiently setting up a second round arm-triangle in the next frame.
Following the victory, an emotional Moroz thanked fans for their support during her training camp and recent weeks, amid the ongoing invasion of her home country, Ukraine, by Russia.
Below, catch the highlights from Maryna Moroz’s impressive submission win over Mariya Agapova
LOCKS IN THE SUB
Maryna Moroz with the dominant finish to end it RD 2!
UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova isn’t planning on fighting on emotion ahead of her grudge match against Maryna Moroz at UFC 272. Agapova and Moroz used to be cordial as teammates at American Top Team in south Florida. But their respect for one another as teammates has fizzled out in recent years. It all started when…
UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova isn’t planning on fighting on emotion ahead of her grudge match against Maryna Moroz at UFC 272.
Agapova and Moroz used to be cordial as teammates at American Top Team in south Florida. But their respect for one another as teammates has fizzled out in recent years.
It all started when Moroz accused Agapova of struggling with drug addiction and jealousy, which allegedly led to her dismissal from ATT. Agapova has since denied Moroz’s claims and called her out following a win over Sabina Mazo last October.
Moroz has also claimed that Agapova attempted to injure her teammates during training. The two flyweights have a score to settle at UFC 272 following their series of back-and-forths.
During a recent interview with The AllStar, Agapova detailed how she plans to not fight on emotion against her ex-teammate turned adversary.
“I think, if I will be affected and mad, that might be her weapon,” Agapova said. “Because she’s purposely trying to drive me crazy. She post a lot of stories; she talking sh*t about me. She’s trying to make me mad because she knows if I get mad I will try to punch her hard and I will waste all my energy, and she will finish me like Shana Dobson. It’s what she wants. That’s why she’s trying to drive me crazy. But I (decided) I’m not going to play this game. I will be calm, cold, like an assassin, and I will open her weak places and hopefully finish her.”
Agapova vs. Moroz isn’t the only matchup between former ATT teammates on the card. The event will be headlined by a welterweight matchup between former friends turned bitter rivals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
Aside from their beef, both Agapova and Moroz need a win to stay in the thick of things in the women’s flyweight division. Both women are coming into the matchup with plenty to prove and with long-term bragging rights on the line.
What is your prediction for Mariya Agapova vs. Maryna Moroz?
Maryna Moroz gave a poignant post-fight interview at UFC 272 last night. The Ukrainian picked up a second-round arm-triangle submission win over Kazakhstan’s Mariya Agapova on the card before emotionally addressing the crowd post-fight. “My family is in Ukraine,” she said. “I had a hard week. I worried, I cried, because my family is right […]
Ukraine flyweight staple, Maryna Moroz made a successful Octagon return for the first time since March 2020 — stopping former American Top Team teammate, the highly-touted, Mariya Agapova with a hugely one-sided second round arm-triangle on the preliminary card of UFC 272. Moroz, who has now managed to land victories in each of her last […]