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Drops close decision against Benito Lopez
Morales lost to Benito Lopez via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Fresno, Calif.
ANALYSIS
Morales made it through a tough first round. Lopez nearly finished him with a flying knee and a guillotine choke. However, Morales survived and continued to fight. He landed some solid strikes on the feet, but Lopez got the better of the exchanges. Morales made his UFC debut last year, and he has gone 1-3-1 in the UFC with his only win coming against Andre Soukhamthath.
Morales made it through a tough first round. Lopez nearly finished him with a flying knee and a guillotine choke. However, Morales survived and continued to fight. He landed some solid strikes on the feet, but Lopez got the better of the exchanges. Morales made his UFC debut last year, and he has gone 1-3-1 in the UFC with his only win coming against Andre Soukhamthath.
Has zero answers against Brett Johns at UFC Fight Night Glasgow
Morales lost to Brett Johns via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25) at UFC Fight Night on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland
ANALYSIS
Morales took this fight on short notice, and he did not look entirely prepared. He appeared to have no answers for Johns' takedowns, and he could not get up from the bottom. The majority of this fight played out with Morales on his back absorbing punishment. After the loss, he falls to 1-2-1 in his UFC career. He will need to improve and diversify his game to keep his spot in the UFC.
Morales took this fight on short notice, and he did not look entirely prepared. He appeared to have no answers for Johns' takedowns, and he could not get up from the bottom. The majority of this fight played out with Morales on his back absorbing punishment. After the loss, he falls to 1-2-1 in his UFC career. He will need to improve and diversify his game to keep his spot in the UFC.
To fight Brett Johns at UFC Glasgow
Morales will face Brett Johns in a bantamweight fight at UFC Fight Night 113 on July 16 in Glasgow.
ANALYSIS
Morales has stepped in to replace Mitch Gagnon (undisclosed) against Brett Johns. "The Warrior" lands an average 4.22 significant strikes while absorbing 4.02 every minute. However, his 85 percent takedown defense might be a more important statistic to consider in this fight, since his opponent racked up 11 takedowns in his first trip to the Octagon last November. The American is 7-1-1 (1-1-1 UFC).
Morales has stepped in to replace Mitch Gagnon (undisclosed) against Brett Johns. "The Warrior" lands an average 4.22 significant strikes while absorbing 4.02 every minute. However, his 85 percent takedown defense might be a more important statistic to consider in this fight, since his opponent racked up 11 takedowns in his first trip to the Octagon last November. The American is 7-1-1 (1-1-1 UFC).
Earns first UFC win at UFC 209
Morales defeated Andre Soukhamthath via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 209 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Morales certainly looked better than he did in his previous fight against Thomas Almeida in November. Of course, he never should have been fighting someone of Almeida's caliber, but that's a whole different story. Morales allowed Soukhamthath to get back into the fight after he got off to a quick start, but he was able to clamp on a RNC in Round 3 that likely persuaded two of the three judge's to give him the decision. There isn't a whole heck of a lot to see here, but at least Morales now has a UFC win on his resume.
Morales certainly looked better than he did in his previous fight against Thomas Almeida in November. Of course, he never should have been fighting someone of Almeida's caliber, but that's a whole different story. Morales allowed Soukhamthath to get back into the fight after he got off to a quick start, but he was able to clamp on a RNC in Round 3 that likely persuaded two of the three judge's to give him the decision. There isn't a whole heck of a lot to see here, but at least Morales now has a UFC win on his resume.
Suffers first career loss Saturday against Thomas Almeida
Morales lost to Thomas Almeida via TKO (punches) at 1:37 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
The continued incompetence of referee Eduardo Herdy resulted in Morales eating far more punches than he should have. The 25-year-old connected on his fair share of shots in Round 1, but he ate far too many in return. Morales fought Alejandro Perez to a draw in his UFC debut just over two months ago, but he was facing a far better opponent on Saturday. Morales is young enough that it's reasonable to expect improvement from him moving forward, but he's highly unlikely to ever reach the level of a fighter such as Almeida.
The continued incompetence of referee Eduardo Herdy resulted in Morales eating far more punches than he should have. The 25-year-old connected on his fair share of shots in Round 1, but he ate far too many in return. Morales fought Alejandro Perez to a draw in his UFC debut just over two months ago, but he was facing a far better opponent on Saturday. Morales is young enough that it's reasonable to expect improvement from him moving forward, but he's highly unlikely to ever reach the level of a fighter such as Almeida.