LAS VEGAS — Maryna Moroz got a big ovation walking into the arena with her Ukrainian flag and then an even bigger one when she finished her fight.
Moroz, a flyweight, defeated Mariya Agapova via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3 minutes, 27 seconds of the second round Saturday night on the UFC 272 prelims at T-Mobile Arena.
The fight was emotional for Moroz, who was once teammates with Agapova at American Top Team in Florida. The two exchanged harsh words in interviews and on social media in recent months, but those mostly ceased in the past two weeks.
On Feb. 24, Russia invaded Moroz’s home country of Ukraine, and the two nations are at war.
“I have a lot of pressure,” Moroz said in her postfight news conference. “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 has raised awareness about Ukraine on her social media, including selling T-shirts to raise funds. She told ESPN earlier this week that her family owns a farm in Ukraine and has been taking up arms, with her father making Molotov cocktails, in preparation for potential violence. Moroz said her parents are helping to feed soldiers with products from their farm such as cheese.
After her victory, Moroz took the microphone from UFC color commentator Joe Rogan and nearly broke down in tears as she discussed how difficult it has been for her recently.
“Thank you everyone for messaging me, for supporting me,” Moroz said. “This week was hard for me. I am wanting to cry.”
She finished the interview shouting, “Slava Ukraini!” which translates to “glory to Ukraine.”
Moroz (11-3), 30, has won three straight since moving up from strawweight. Because of visa issues, this was her first fight since March 2020.