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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

  1. ^ "Meet Janice Morono of Gracie Barra The Woodlands". voyagehouston.com. February 13, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Matt Erickson (October 13, 2019). "Alex Morono credits Fortis MMA for resurgence, calls out Dhiego Lima after UFC Tampa". mmajunkie.com.
  3. ^ @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.
  4. ^ a b "Alex Morono | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Welcome to the UFC, Alex Morono". bloodyelbow.com. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Dan Kuhl (July 24, 2018). "UFC on Fox 30's Alex Morono: Coming Full Circle". combatpress.com.
  7. ^ a b "Alex Morono". sherdog.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2015.
  8. ^ "Alex Morono Guillotines Derrick Krantz, Grabs Welterweight Championship at Legacy 49". sherdog.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015.
  9. ^ 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
  10. ^ Staff (2016-09-03). "Moontasri vs. Morono, Yang vs. Janes announced for UFC Fight Night 97". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  11. ^ Staff (2016-10-06). "UFC Fight Night Manila: Lamas vs. Penn to be rescheduled". ufc.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Brian Martin (2016-10-17). "James Moontasri vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on Fox 22". whittierdailynews.com. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Staff (2016-12-24). "Alex Morono vs. Sheldon Westcott added to UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-24.
  16. ^ Staff (2017-01-24). "Niko Price replaces Sheldon Westcott at UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Three UFC Houston fighters pop for marijuana". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  19. ^ Dann Stupp (2017-08-06). "Slew of bouts official for UFC Fight Night 117 in Japan". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
  20. ^ "UFC Fight Night 117 results: Keita Nakamura takes split from Alex Morono in bloody fight". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  21. ^ "Joshua Burkman vs. Alex Morono added to UFC Fight Night 126 in Austin". MMAjunkie. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
  22. ^ "UFC Fight Night 126 results: Alex Morono taps out Josh Burkman, calls out Diego Sanchez". MMAjunkie. 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  23. ^ Staff (2018-04-27). "UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  24. ^ "UFC on FOX 30 results: Jordan Mein outworks Alex Morono with takedowns for decision". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  25. ^ DNA, MMA (2018-10-19). "Thuisfavoriet Kenan Song treft Alex Morono tijdens UFC Beijing". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  26. ^ "UFC Fight Night 141 play-by-play and live results". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  27. ^ a b Jon Fuentes (2018-11-24). "UFC Beijing Bonuses: Ngannou & Jingliang Bank $50k For Finishes". lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  28. ^ DNA, MMA (2 February 2019). "Welterweightclash tussen Alex Morono en Zak Ottow tijdens UFC Wichita". Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  29. ^ Hiergesell, Dan (2019-03-09). "UFC Wichita Highlights! Morono Scores Vicious TKO Finish Over Ottow". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  30. ^ Morgan, John (2019-08-13). "Max Griffin vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on ESPN+ 19 in Florida". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ 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)
  33. ^ Guilherme Cruz (January 22, 2020). "Neck injury forces Dhiego Lima out of UFC 247 fight with Alex Morono". mmafighting.com.
  34. ^ "Kalinn Williams makes UFC debut against Alex Morono during UFC 247 in Houston" (in Dutch). mmadna.com. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  35. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-02-08). "UFC 247 Results: Kalinn Williams Stuns Crowd With Quick Finish Over Alex Morono". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  36. ^ "Welterweights Rhys McKee, Alex Morono set for UFC on ESPN+ 41 showdown". MMA Junkie. 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  37. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-11-14). "UFC Vegas 14 Results: Alex Morono Overwhelms Rhys McKee". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  38. ^ "Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono Joins UFC Vegas 17". Cageside Press. 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  39. ^ Randall Folkes (December 17, 2020). Alex Morono Pre Fight Interview – via YouTube.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "Donald Cerrone gets Alex Morono after Diego Sanchez removed from UFC on ESPN 24". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  42. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-05-08). "UFC Vegas 26 Results: Alex Morono Upsets Donald Cerrone in First Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ "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.
  45. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-09-04). "UFC Vegas 36 Results: Alex Morono Outpoints David Zawada". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  46. ^ "Mickey Gall vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on ESPN 31 in December". MMA Junkie. 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  47. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-12-04). "UFC Vegas 44: Alex Morono Outstrikes Mickey Gall". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  48. ^ 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.
  49. ^ Law, Eddie (2022-07-30). "UFC 277: Alex Morono Decisions Semelsberger After Wild Third Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  50. ^ 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.
  51. ^ 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.
  52. ^ 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.
  53. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-05-13). "UFC Charlotte: Alex Morono Submits Tim Means with Guillotine in Action-Packed Fight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  54. ^ "Joaquin Buckley vs. Alex Morono added to October UFC Fight Night event". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-10. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  55. ^ 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.
  56. ^ "'TUF 11' winner Court McGee booked for next UFC fight vs. Alex Morono". Yahoo Sports. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  57. ^ Hester, Bryson (2024-04-06). "UFC Vegas 90: Alex Morono Decisions TUF Champ Court McGee". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  58. ^ Martin, Damon (2024-04-18). "UFC 302 adds several fights to Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier card". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  59. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-06-02). "UFC 302: Niko Price Raises Hand Again in Rematch With Alex Morono". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  60. ^ Alex Morono wants to test Rhys McKee with an ugly, dirty fight. November 1, 2020.
  61. ^ Sherdog.com. "Alex". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-09-04.

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