UFC Boise: Jessica Aguilar earns first UFC win with decision over Jodie Esquibel
Here is how the opening fight on the UFC Boise undercard prelims went between strawweights Jessica Aguilar and Jodie Esquibel went down
On Saturday, July 14, the UFC made it’s first trip to the Potato State and it all got started on the UFC Fight Pass prelims of UFC Boise with Jessica Aguilar and Jodie Esquibel.
The two strawweights were supposed to throw down at UFC Utica in June. Aguilar successfully weighed-in, but was scrapped from the card just hours before the fight.
The reasoning? Chapped lips.
And even though the New York State Athletic Commission got additional medical clearance on the Thursday prior to the Friday fight, they still decided to call it off.
Now one month later in Boise, Aguilar and Esquibel finally threw down on Saturday night in Boise. The fight marked the first in nearly a whole calendar year for Aguilar. The 36-year old American Top Team product came into the night on a two-fight losing streak. She fell to Cortney Casey by decision at UFC 211 and then to Cláudia Gadelha at UFC 190 back on August 2015.
The former World Series of Fighting strawweight champion knew she was going to have her hands full against the Jackson Wink Acadamy trained Esquibel.
Esquibel made her UFC debut in October 2017 when she fought in the co-main event against one of the toughest strawweight scrappers in the world, Karolina Kowalkiewicz. She ultimately fell in a unanimous decision loss and has been itching to get back into the octagon ever since.
Both fighters were looking for their first win in the UFC and here is how it all went down from start to finish.
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Round 1
Esquibel opened up as the Vegas odds winner at -145.
The two come out and touch gloves. Aguilar opens up with some combinations but Esquibel counters with a strong 1-2 of herself. Aguilar pushed up for the clinch at 4:20 and landed some strong knees. Referee Herb Dean issued Aguilar a quick warning and Aguilar landed a brief takedown. But Esquibel got right back up and into the clinch once again.
Aguilar was clearly fighting safe in the clinch and well in control, landing another brief takedown. But midway through the round, Esquibel gained control in the clinch. The two stayed together against the cage and they finally broke to the center with two minutes to go.
Both threw some faint, 1-2 combination punches but none seemed to connect strong enough. But Aguilar with one minute left landed a knee and was leading in the striking department. Esquibel went on the attack with 10 seconds left but didn’t land anything. A strong, efficient round for Aguilar. FanSided scored the round 10-9 Aguilar
Round 2
Aguilar’s coach, in-between rounds, instructed her to start attacking with knees to the body. The round started with another continuation of 1-2 combinations from both fighters, but not landing with authority. Both fighters also took turns pushing forward.
The work rate of Aguilar started to slow down from round one and Esquibel started to gain more confidence in her punches. The round can be described as a classic “back-and-forth” matchup with both fighters pressing forward and Esquibel leading in the strikes department for the round.
Esquibel went for clinch at the end of the round and landed a knee Aguilar, but didn’t seem to bother her too much. FanSided scored the round 10-9 Esquibel
Round 3
Aguilar comes out throwing strong shots and on the attack. Jimmy Smith on the Fight Pass broadcast said, “This could very well be a tie (at this point).” Aguilar came out in the round and landed a left hand but couldn’t follow up with any more punishment.
The same pattern continued into round three with both fighters exchanging attacks and with 1-2 combinations, but not landing with too much force. With 2:20 left in the round, Aguilar was able to initiate the clinch for about 10 seconds, then Esquibel turned around and held Aguilar against the fence.
The two broke to the center and Aguilar landed a counter-knee shot which caught the attention of the Boise crowd. Esquibel landed a counter-right hand shot in a five-second span but was not on the attack. Both fighters sensed the time coming to an end and started throwing punches and kicks. Both fighters raised their hands in victory thinking they did enough to win. FanSided scored the round 10-9 Aguilar
- UFC Boise
- STRAWWEIGHT
- MATCH RESULT
Aguilar VS. Esquibel
UD
5:00
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Jessica Aguilar def. Jodie Esquibel via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)