Alex Morono
Born (1990-08-16) August 16, 1990
Houston, Texas, United States
Other namesThe Great White
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Reach73 in (185 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofHouston, Texas, United States
TeamGracie Barra The Woodlands (2007–present)[1]
Fortis MMA (2018–present)[2]
TrainerSayif Saud[2]
Rank2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Vinícius "Draculino" Magalhães[3]
Black belt in Taekwondo[4]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total33
Wins23
By knockout6
By submission7
By decision9
By disqualification1
Losses9
By knockout3
By decision6
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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]

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.

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]

Personal life

Morono and his wife Janice co-own the Gracie Barra The Woodlands gym.[56]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
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

[57]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Meet Janice Morono of Gracie Barra The Woodlands". voyagehouston.com. February 13, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "Alex Morono | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Welcome to the UFC, Alex Morono". bloodyelbow.com. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Dan Kuhl (July 24, 2018). "UFC on Fox 30's Alex Morono: Coming Full Circle". combatpress.com.
  7. 1 2 "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. 1 2 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. 1 2 "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. ↑ Alex Morono wants to test Rhys McKee with an ugly, dirty fight. November 1, 2020.
  57. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Alex". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
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