Erik Koch

The Phoenix

USA

Suspended 18 months
LightweightOther
June 16, 2021
Koch was suspended 18 months by the USADA for violating the UFC's anti-doping policy, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Koch was let go by the UFC back in December and now the reasoning becomes more clear. The positive test came from a urine sample that was collected back on Oct. 3, 2020. It's not clear what Koch's future holds, but he won't be able to return to any league that recognizes USADA suspensions until April 3, 2022.
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No longer with UFC
LightweightOther
December 23, 2020
Koch is no longer on the UFC roster, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The circumstances surrounding Koch's departure from the promotion aren't clear, but he'll have to search for a new opportunity going forward if he hopes to continue his MMA career. The 32-year-old found success early in his time under the UFC banner, but he's battled various injuries recently.
Uses superior grappling to get win
LightweightOther
July 27, 2019
Koch defeated Kyle Stewart via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 240 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Koch was getting backed up by his opponent quite a bit while the two were in space, but the veteran was able to find the clinch at will and wear on Stewart until he began hitting takedowns with regularity in rounds two and three. It was elementary from there, with Koch floating on top of his opponent while mixing in ground strikes with submission attempts. Once a highly touted prospect, Koch has become something of an afterthought in recent years, but "The Phoenix" is hoping to reinvent himself after winning his debut at welterweight. He moves to 16-6 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Scheduled for UFC Edmonton
LightweightOther
May 28, 2019
Koch will fight Kyle Stewart in a welterweight matchup at UFC Edmonton on July 27.
ANALYSIS
Koch seems to have hit a wall in his career, going home with a loss in three of his last four and five of his last seven bouts, though his last two went the distance. The 30-year-old squares off against Stewart, who has struggled himself with losses in two of his last three, including his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 143. When the Octagon doors close, Koch will be giving up four inches in height and five inches in reach to Stewart, a natural welterweight (Koch appears to be moving up from the 155-pound division).
Struggles continue after loss to Bobby Green Saturday
LightweightOther
January 27, 2018
Koch lost to Bobby Green via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC on FOX 27 on Saturday in Charlotte.
ANALYSIS
Koch looked strong for five minutes before the roof caved in. He matched Green punch for punch in Round 1 and even scored a takedown, but he landed just 35 strikes over the final ten minutes compared to 108 from Green. Koch was visibly exhausted by the time all was said and done, and although he battled until the final bell, New Breed still has just two wins in the last six and a half years. Injuries have played a part in Koch's struggles, but the bottom line is that he just hasn't fought well enough for a guy that has a boatload of natural ability.
Loses lopsided unanimous decision in Oklahoma City
LightweightOther
June 25, 2017
Koch was defeated by Clay Guida via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-26, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night 112 on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
ANALYSIS
In his first fight in over a year, Koch seemed to be affected by ring rust. He seemed hesitant to pull the trigger in the first round, and threw very few combinations. In the second round, he got taken down by Guida, and Guida was in mount for over two minutes. Koch didn't do anything significant to escape the position, but he did survive the round. In the third round "The Carpenter" once again got to mount and finished the fight in that position. Koch's forte is his striking, and he had a hard time getting off with the threat of Guida's takedowns.