Alex Morono
American mixed martial artist
Alex Morono (born August 16, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently fights as a welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship .[4] A professional competitor since 2010, Morono has also fought for Legacy Fighting Championship , where he was the Welterweight Champion.[5]
Background
Morono was born and raised in Houston, Texas , alongside three brothers.[6] Alex's parents bought him a membership to LA Boxing gym where he began training in 2007, eventually noticing a jiu-jitsu class in the premises. He went on to join the class and was instantly hooked to the discipline.[6] Morono also holds a professional kickboxing record of 1–0. Morono also cited The Matrix as inspiration for getting into MMA.[citation needed ]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
In 2010, Morono began competing in Legacy Fighting Championship amateur series, amassing a record of 3–0–1.[7]
Later that same year, Morono made his professional MMA debut, winning 21 seconds into the first round by armbar.[7]
On December 4, 2015, Morono won the Legacy Fighting Championship Welterweight Championship with a first-round guillotine choke over Derrick Krantz .[8]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Morono stepped in on just over a week's notice to face Kyle Noke replacing an injured Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 195 .[5] Morono was awarded a split decision victory.[9]
Morono was expected to face James Moontasri on October 15, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 97 .[10] However, the promotion announced on October 6 that they had cancelled the event entirely.[11] [12] In turn, the pairing was quickly rescheduled and eventually took place on December 17, 2016 at UFC on Fox 22 .[13] Morono won the fight by unanimous decision.[14]
Morono was expected to face Sheldon Westcott on February 4, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 104 .[15] However, Westcott pulled out of the fight in early January and was replaced by Niko Price .[16] He lost the fight via knockout at the end of the second round;[17] however this was later overturned to a no contest after Price tested positive for marijuana.[18]
Morono faced Keita Nakamura on September 23, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami .[19] He lost the fight by split decision.[20]
Morono faced Joshua Burkman on February 18, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 126 .[21] He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.[22]
Morono faced Jordan Mein on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30 .[23] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[24] After the loss, Morono decided to change camps, joining Fortis MMA.[2]
Morono faced Song Kenan on November 24, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 141 .[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26] The win also earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.[27]
Morono faced Zak Ottow on March 9, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 4 .[28] He won the fight via verbal submission due to elbow strikes in the first round.[29]
Morono faced Max Griffin on October 12, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 19 .[30] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[31]
Morono was scheduled to face Dhiego Lima on February 8, 2020 at UFC 247 .[32] However on January 22, 2020, Lima was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a neck injury,[33] and he was replaced by Khaos Williams .[34] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[35]
Morono faced Rhys McKee on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos .[36] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[37]
As the first fight of his new multi-fight contract, Morono faced Anthony Pettis at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal on December 19, 2020.[38] [39] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[40]
Morono faced Donald Cerrone , replacing Diego Sanchez on May 8, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 24 .[41] He won the fight via technical knockout late in the first round.[42] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[43]
Morono faced David Zawada , replacing Sergey Khandozhko , on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191 .[44] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[45]
Morono faced Mickey Gall on December 4, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 31 .[46] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[47]
Morono faced Matthew Semelsberger on July 30, 2022 at UFC 277 .[48] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[49]
Morono faced Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 282 on Saturday, December 10, 2022, replacing an injured Robbie Lawler .[50] He lost the fight via technical knockout.[51]
Morono faced Tim Means on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4 .[52] He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.[53]
Morono faced Joaquin Buckley on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229 .[54] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[55]
Morono faced Court McGee on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240 .[56] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[57]
Morono faced Niko Price in a rematch on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302 .[58] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[59]
Personal life
Morono and his wife Janice co-own the Gracie Barra The Woodlands gym.[60]
Championships and achievements
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
35 matches
24 wins
10 losses
By knockout
6
3
By submission
7
0
By decision
10
7
By disqualification
1
0
No contests
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
24–10 (1)
Niko Price
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 302
June 1, 2024
3
5:00
Newark, New Jersey , United States
Win
24–9 (1)
Court McGee
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2
April 6, 2024
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
23–9 (1)
Joaquin Buckley
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green
October 7, 2023
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
23–8 (1)
Tim Means
Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida
May 13, 2023
2
2:09
Charlotte, North Carolina , United States
Loss
22–8 (1)
Santiago Ponzinibbio
TKO (punches)
UFC 282
December 10, 2022
3
2:29
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (180 lb) bout.
Win
22–7 (1)
Matthew Semelsberger
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 277
July 30, 2022
3
5:00
Dallas, Texas , United States
Win
21–7 (1)
Mickey Gall
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo
December 4, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
20–7 (1)
David Zawada
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till
September 4, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
19–7 (1)
Donald Cerrone
TKO (punches)
UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson
May 8, 2021
1
4:40
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
18–7 (1)
Anthony Pettis
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal
December 19, 2020
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
18–6 (1)
Rhys McKee
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos
November 14, 2020
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
17–6 (1)
Khaos Williams
KO (punches)
UFC 247
February 8, 2020
1
0:27
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
17–5 (1)
Max Griffin
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson
October 12, 2019
3
5:00
Tampa, Florida , United States
Win
16–5 (1)
Zak Ottow
TKO (submission to elbows)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos
March 9, 2019
1
3:34
Wichita, Kansas , United States
Win
15–5 (1)
Song Kenan
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2
November 24, 2018
3
5:00
Beijing , China
Fight of the Night.
Loss
14–5 (1)
Jordan Mein
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2
July 28, 2018
3
5:00
Calgary, Alberta , Canada
Win
14–4 (1)
Josh Burkman
Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros
February 18, 2018
1
2:12
Austin, Texas , United States
Loss
13–4 (1)
Keita Nakamura
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami
September 23, 2017
3
5:00
Saitama , Japan
NC
13–3 (1)
Niko Price
NC (overturned)
UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie
February 4, 2017
2
5:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Originally a KO (punch) win for Price; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana.
Win
13–3
James Moontasri
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson
December 17, 2016
3
5:00
Sacramento, California , United States
Win
12–3
Kyle Noke
Decision (split)
UFC 195
January 2, 2016
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
11–3
Derrick Krantz
Submission (guillotine choke)
Legacy FC 49
December 4, 2015
1
4:29
Bossier City, Louisiana , United States
Won the LFC Welterweight Championship.
Win
10–3
Valdir Araújo
KO (punch)
Legacy FC 44
August 28, 2015
3
2:18
Houston, Texas , United States
Return to Welterweight.
Win
9–3
Marcus Andrusia
TKO (punches and elbows)
Legacy FC 42
June 26, 2015
1
3:18
Lake Charles, Louisiana , United States
Catchweight (180 lb) bout.
Win
8–3
Rashid Abdullah
Submission (triangle choke)
Fury Fighting 4
February 13, 2015
1
1:36
Humble, Texas , United States
Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Win
7–3
Larry Hopkins
TKO (punches)
Fury Fighting 2
October 24, 2014
1
0:44
Humble, Texas , United States
Middleweight debut.
Loss
6–3
Diego Henrique da Silva
TKO (punches)
Legacy FC 31
June 13, 2014
1
1:55
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
6–2
Rashid Abdullah
DQ (biting)
Texas City Throwdown 1
March 14, 2014
3
0:10
Texas City, Texas , United States
Loss
5–2
Rob Wood
Decision (split)
Fury Fighting 1
November 1, 2013
3
5:00
Humble, Texas , United States
Win
5–1
Brandon Farran
Submission (armbar)
Legacy FC 18
March 1, 2013
1
1:16
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
4–1
Rashon Lewis
TKO (punches)
Legacy FC 10
February 24, 2012
1
4:02
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
3–1
Evert Gutierrez
Decision (unanimous)
Legacy FC 8
September 16, 2011
3
3:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Loss
2–1
Jeff Rexroad
Decision (split)
Legacy FC 6
April 9, 2011
3
3:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
2–0
Mark Garcia
Submission (armbar)
Legacy FC 5
January 29, 2011
1
0:41
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
1–0
Jose Castro
Submission (armbar)
Triple A Promotions: Border Fight Fest 1
December 2, 2010
1
0:21
Laredo, Texas , United States
[61]
See also
References
^ "Meet Janice Morono of Gracie Barra The Woodlands" . voyagehouston.com . February 13, 2020.
^ a b c Matt Erickson (October 13, 2019). "Alex Morono credits Fortis MMA for resurgence, calls out Dhiego Lima after UFC Tampa" . mmajunkie.com.
^ @graciebarrathewoodlandstx (November 28, 2020). " "Today our Leader and Head coach, Professor @alexmoronomma was presented with the Second Degree on his Black Belt, by the legendary @draculinojj ! (...)" " . Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Instagram .
^ a b "Alex Morono | UFC" . UFC.com . Retrieved June 6, 2021 .
^ a b "Welcome to the UFC, Alex Morono" . bloodyelbow.com. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015.
^ a b Dan Kuhl (July 24, 2018). "UFC on Fox 30's Alex Morono: Coming Full Circle" . combatpress.com .
^ a b "Alex Morono" . sherdog.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2015.
^ "Alex Morono Guillotines Derrick Krantz, Grabs Welterweight Championship at Legacy 49" . sherdog.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015.
^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-01-02). "UFC 195 results: Alex Morono upsets 4-1 favorite Kyle Noke on 11 days' notice" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-02 . http://mmadecisions.com/decision/6721/Alex-Morono-vs-Kyle-Noke
^ Staff (2016-09-03). "Moontasri vs. Morono, Yang vs. Janes announced for UFC Fight Night 97" . themmareport.com. Retrieved 2016-09-03 .
^ Staff (2016-10-06). "UFC Fight Night Manila: Lamas vs. Penn to be rescheduled" . ufc.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06 .
^ Staff (2016-10-06). "After B.J. Penn's withdrawal, UFC cancels next week's UFC Fight Night 97 event in Philippines" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06 .
^ Brian Martin (2016-10-17). "James Moontasri vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on Fox 22" . whittierdailynews.com. Retrieved 2016-10-17 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-12-17). "UFC on FOX 22 results: Alex Morono rallies, finishes in dominant form against James Moontasri" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2016-12-17 .
^ Staff (2016-12-24). "Alex Morono vs. Sheldon Westcott added to UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-24 .
^ Staff (2017-01-24). "Niko Price replaces Sheldon Westcott at UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-24 .
^ Steven Marrocco (2017-02-04). "UFC Fight Night 104 results: Niko Price puts Alex Morono away with KO at Round 2 buzzer" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-04 .
^ "Three UFC Houston fighters pop for marijuana" . Bloody Elbow . Retrieved 2017-06-17 .
^ Dann Stupp (2017-08-06). "Slew of bouts official for UFC Fight Night 117 in Japan" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-08-06 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 117 results: Keita Nakamura takes split from Alex Morono in bloody fight" . MMAjunkie . 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-09-23 .
^ "Joshua Burkman vs. Alex Morono added to UFC Fight Night 126 in Austin" . MMAjunkie . 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2018-02-07 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 126 results: Alex Morono taps out Josh Burkman, calls out Diego Sanchez" . MMAjunkie . 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2018-02-19 .
^ Staff (2018-04-27). "UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2018-04-27 .
^ "UFC on FOX 30 results: Jordan Mein outworks Alex Morono with takedowns for decision" . MMAjunkie . 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-07-29 .
^ DNA, MMA (2018-10-19). "Thuisfavoriet Kenan Song treft Alex Morono tijdens UFC Beijing" . MMA DNA . Retrieved 2018-10-19 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 141 play-by-play and live results" . MMAjunkie . 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-24 .
^ a b Jon Fuentes (2018-11-24). "UFC Beijing Bonuses: Ngannou & Jingliang Bank $50k For Finishes" . lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 2018-11-24 .
^ DNA, MMA (2 February 2019). "Welterweightclash tussen Alex Morono en Zak Ottow tijdens UFC Wichita" . Retrieved 2019-02-02 .
^ Hiergesell, Dan (2019-03-09). "UFC Wichita Highlights! Morono Scores Vicious TKO Finish Over Ottow" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved 2019-03-10 .
^ Morgan, John (2019-08-13). "Max Griffin vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on ESPN+ 19 in Florida" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2019-08-13 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2019-10-12). "UFC Tampa Results: Alex Morono Survives Late Push from Max Griffin in Great Fight" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2019-10-13 .
^ Staff (2019-12-05). "Alex Morono fights in front of his own audience during UFC 247 in Houston against Dhiego Lima" . mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-12-05 . (in Dutch)
^ Guilherme Cruz (January 22, 2020). "Neck injury forces Dhiego Lima out of UFC 247 fight with Alex Morono" . mmafighting.com.
^ "Kalinn Williams makes UFC debut against Alex Morono during UFC 247 in Houston" (in Dutch). mmadna.com. Retrieved 2020-01-29 .
^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-02-08). "UFC 247 Results: Kalinn Williams Stuns Crowd With Quick Finish Over Alex Morono" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-02-09 .
^ "Welterweights Rhys McKee, Alex Morono set for UFC on ESPN+ 41 showdown" . MMA Junkie . 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2020-10-16 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2020-11-14). "UFC Vegas 14 Results: Alex Morono Overwhelms Rhys McKee" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-11-14 .
^ "Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono Joins UFC Vegas 17" . Cageside Press . 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2020-12-02 .
^ Randall Folkes (December 17, 2020). Alex Morono Pre Fight Interview – via YouTube.
^ Anderson, Jay (2020-12-19). "UFC Vegas 17: Anthony Pettis Has Late Surge to Secure Win Over Alex Morono" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-12-20 .
^ "Donald Cerrone gets Alex Morono after Diego Sanchez removed from UFC on ESPN 24" . MMA Junkie . 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-04 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2021-05-08). "UFC Vegas 26 Results: Alex Morono Upsets Donald Cerrone in First Round" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-05-09 .
^ a b "UFC on ESPN 24 bonuses: Gregor Gillespie gets $100,000 because Diego Ferreira missed weight" . MMA Junkie . 2021-05-09. Retrieved 2021-05-09 .
^ "With Zviad Lazishvili out, Liudvik Sholinian steps in to face Jack Shore at UFC Fight Night 191" . MMA Junkie . 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2021-08-28 .
^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-09-04). "UFC Vegas 36 Results: Alex Morono Outpoints David Zawada" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-09-04 .
^ "Mickey Gall vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on ESPN 31 in December" . MMA Junkie . 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2021-11-13 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2021-12-04). "UFC Vegas 44: Alex Morono Outstrikes Mickey Gall" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-12-05 .
^ ATSteveDuncan (2022-06-25). "Alex Morono vs. Matthew Semelsberger agregado a UFC 277" . MMA.uno (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2022-06-27 .
^ Law, Eddie (2022-07-30). "UFC 277: Alex Morono Decisions Semelsberger After Wild Third Round" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-08-01 .
^ Danny Segura and Mike Bohn (2022-12-05). "Santiago Ponzinibbio gets Alex Morono as replacement opponent for UFC 282" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-12-06 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2022-12-10). "UFC 282: Santiago Ponzinibbio Puts Away Alex Morono in Third Round of Back-and-Forth Affair" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-12-11 .
^ Farah Hannoun and Nolan King (2023-03-28). "UFC adds Tim Means vs. Alex Morono to May 13 lineup" . MMA Junkie . Retrieved 2023-03-28 .
^ Dewar, Val (2023-05-13). "UFC Charlotte: Alex Morono Submits Tim Means with Guillotine in Action-Packed Fight" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-05-13 .
^ "Joaquin Buckley vs. Alex Morono added to October UFC Fight Night event" . MMA Junkie . 2023-09-10. Retrieved 2023-09-11 .
^ Dewar, Val (2023-10-07). "UFC Vegas 80: Joaquin Buckley Has Career-Best Performance in Win Over Alex Morono" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-10-08 .
^ " 'TUF 11' winner Court McGee booked for next UFC fight vs. Alex Morono" . Yahoo Sports . 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-03-02 .
^ Hester, Bryson (2024-04-06). "UFC Vegas 90: Alex Morono Decisions TUF Champ Court McGee" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-04-06 .
^ Martin, Damon (2024-04-18). "UFC 302 adds several fights to Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier card" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2024-05-13 .
^ Dewar, Val (2024-06-02). "UFC 302: Niko Price Raises Hand Again in Rematch With Alex Morono" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-06-02 .
^ Alex Morono wants to test Rhys McKee with an ugly, dirty fight . November 1, 2020.
^ Sherdog.com. "Alex" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2021-09-04 .
External links