Omar Morales
Venezuelan Fighter
Venezuela
Removed from UFC roster
Morales was removed from the UFC roster Monday, according to MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Morales current contract with the UFC has expired, and the promotion has decided not to renew it moving forward. The 37-year-old fighter was 3-4 during his time with the UFC, but he was defeated in each of his last three fights.
Morales current contract with the UFC has expired, and the promotion has decided not to renew it moving forward. The 37-year-old fighter was 3-4 during his time with the UFC, but he was defeated in each of his last three fights.
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Crushing split decision defeat
Morales lost to Chris Duncan via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 28-29) at UFC 286 on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
In a fight which could have legitimately gone either way, the hard-luck loss for Morales may very well result in the end of his time with the company. Each of the first two rounds were close. Morales did a decent job of damaging Duncan at distance, but his poor takedown defense was his ultimate downfall. He allowed Duncan to connect on 5-of-14 takedown attempts, including four in the final round alone. It was a terrible visual for the judges with the fight hanging in the balance. The 37-year-old Venezuelan began his UFC run with back-to-back victories, but he's now lost three in a row and four of five dating back to October 2020. This will be a difficult setback for Morales to overcome.
In a fight which could have legitimately gone either way, the hard-luck loss for Morales may very well result in the end of his time with the company. Each of the first two rounds were close. Morales did a decent job of damaging Duncan at distance, but his poor takedown defense was his ultimate downfall. He allowed Duncan to connect on 5-of-14 takedown attempts, including four in the final round alone. It was a terrible visual for the judges with the fight hanging in the balance. The 37-year-old Venezuelan began his UFC run with back-to-back victories, but he's now lost three in a row and four of five dating back to October 2020. This will be a difficult setback for Morales to overcome.
Books fight with Chris Duncan
Morales is scheduled to face Chris Duncan in a lightweight bout at UFC 286 in London on March 18, Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales, who was forced to withdraw from his last scheduled fight Jan. 14 versus Mateusz Rebecki in Las Vegas due to an unspecified injury, but he'll be healthy enough to return to the Octagon in March as a replacement on the UFC 286 card for Michal Figlak, who withdrew from the matchup with Duncan after recently undergoing knee surgery. The 37-year-old from Venezuela will be looking to end a two-fight losing streak while he takes on Duncan, who is making his promotional debut.
Morales, who was forced to withdraw from his last scheduled fight Jan. 14 versus Mateusz Rebecki in Las Vegas due to an unspecified injury, but he'll be healthy enough to return to the Octagon in March as a replacement on the UFC 286 card for Michal Figlak, who withdrew from the matchup with Duncan after recently undergoing knee surgery. The 37-year-old from Venezuela will be looking to end a two-fight losing streak while he takes on Duncan, who is making his promotional debut.
Drops out Jan. 14
Morales (undisclosed) won't face Mateusz Rebecki at UFC Vegas 67 on Jan. 14 as previously scheduled, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The reason for the absence is unclear, but Morales is now off the card regardless. Nick Fiore is stepping in on short notice and will make his UFC debut against Rebecki.
The reason for the absence is unclear, but Morales is now off the card regardless. Nick Fiore is stepping in on short notice and will make his UFC debut against Rebecki.
Booked for Jan. 14
Morales will take on Mateusz Rebecki at UFC Vegas 67 on Jan. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales will be hoping to bounce back following a loss to Uros Medic by TKO in May. That was his third loss in his last four fights. He needs to end that skid in January or he may not get another shot with the promotion.
Morales will be hoping to bounce back following a loss to Uros Medic by TKO in May. That was his third loss in his last four fights. He needs to end that skid in January or he may not get another shot with the promotion.
Inconsistent ways continue
Morales lost to Uros Medic via TKO (punches) at 3:05 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Morales had never been stopped via strikes prior to this one, but his chin let him down at the worst possible time. Morales lost Round 1, but certainly wasn't overwhelmed by Medic. The script flipped completely in Round 2. He was first floored by a big left hand from his opponent, and after working his way back to his feet, ate another big left which dropped him and forced referee Chris Tognoni to wisely step in and call off the bout. A product of Dana White's Contender Series, Morales began his UFC run with back-to-back unanimous decision wins over Dong Hyun Ma and Gabriel Benitez. He has lost two in a row and three of four since. That, combined with the fact he will be turning 37 years of age this coming September, leaves Morales in an extremely vulnerable position moving forward.
Morales had never been stopped via strikes prior to this one, but his chin let him down at the worst possible time. Morales lost Round 1, but certainly wasn't overwhelmed by Medic. The script flipped completely in Round 2. He was first floored by a big left hand from his opponent, and after working his way back to his feet, ate another big left which dropped him and forced referee Chris Tognoni to wisely step in and call off the bout. A product of Dana White's Contender Series, Morales began his UFC run with back-to-back unanimous decision wins over Dong Hyun Ma and Gabriel Benitez. He has lost two in a row and three of four since. That, combined with the fact he will be turning 37 years of age this coming September, leaves Morales in an extremely vulnerable position moving forward.