Alex Morono
Alexander 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]
| Alex Morono | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 16, 1990 Houston, Texas, United States |
| Other names | The Great White |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) |
| Division | Middleweight Welterweight |
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Team | Gracie Barra The Woodlands (2007–present)[1] Fortis MMA (2018–present)[2] |
| Trainer | Sayif Saud[2] |
| Rank | 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Vinícius "Draculino" Magalhães[3] Black belt in Taekwondo[4] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 33 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 9 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By decision | 6 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background Edit
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 Edit
Early career Edit
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 Edit
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]
Personal life Edit
Morono and his wife Janice co-own the Gracie Barra The Woodlands gym.[56]
Championships and achievements Edit
- Legacy Fighting Championship
- LFC Welterweight Championship (one time)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Kenan Song[27]
- Performance of the Night (one time) vs. Donald Cerrone[43]
Mixed martial arts record Edit
| 33 matches | 23 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 3 |
| By submission | 7 | 0 |
| By decision | 9 | 6 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (illegal bite) | 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 21, 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 | December 2, 2010 | 1 | 0:21 | Laredo, Texas, United States |
See also Edit
References Edit
- ^ "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. 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. from the original on December 20, 2015.
- ^ "Alex Morono Guillotines Derrick Krantz, Grabs Welterweight Championship at Legacy 49". sherdog.com. 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). . 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.
- ^ Alex Morono wants to test Rhys McKee with an ugly, dirty fight. November 1, 2020.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Alex". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-09-04.