Joseph Morales
Bopo
USA
Wins TUF Flyweight Final in Chicago
Morales defeated Alibi Idiris via submission (triangle choke) at 3:04 of Round 2 at UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
Morales was little more than an afterthought for this bout after sneaking through to the flyweight final via split decision. Still, "Bopo" brought his veteran presence on this night, marching his young opponent down and wilting him with body shots. Idiris was finally able to reverse Morales on the ground, but that led to his undoing, as the 30-year-old locked up the choke soon after. Morales' wrestling and BJJ prowess will make him fun to watch at times, but he may struggle against some of the better athletes at this level. Morales improved to 13-2 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Morales was little more than an afterthought for this bout after sneaking through to the flyweight final via split decision. Still, "Bopo" brought his veteran presence on this night, marching his young opponent down and wilting him with body shots. Idiris was finally able to reverse Morales on the ground, but that led to his undoing, as the 30-year-old locked up the choke soon after. Morales' wrestling and BJJ prowess will make him fun to watch at times, but he may struggle against some of the better athletes at this level. Morales improved to 13-2 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
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Back in UFC at TUF Final
Morales will take on Alibi Idiris in the TUF Flyweight Final at UFC 319 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Morales ends up the only representative of Team Sonnen in Saturday's TUF Finals, getting there with a narrow split decision over Imanol Rodriguez in the semifiinal matchup. That fight could have gone either way, but Morales banked the first two frames in the eyes of two of three judges, likely due to his wrestling. Morales does have some UFC experience, but he was cut as part of the flyweight cull following back-to-back-losses in 2018, including one to future champion Deiveson Figueiredo. He now draws Idiris -- an undefeated prospect out of Kazakhstan -- for the chance to become The Ultimate Fighter.
Morales ends up the only representative of Team Sonnen in Saturday's TUF Finals, getting there with a narrow split decision over Imanol Rodriguez in the semifiinal matchup. That fight could have gone either way, but Morales banked the first two frames in the eyes of two of three judges, likely due to his wrestling. Morales does have some UFC experience, but he was cut as part of the flyweight cull following back-to-back-losses in 2018, including one to future champion Deiveson Figueiredo. He now draws Idiris -- an undefeated prospect out of Kazakhstan -- for the chance to become The Ultimate Fighter.
Parts ways with UFC
Morales was released by UFC on Tuesday, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales is one of three recent fighters to be let go by the promotion from the flyweight division. Wilson Reis and Eric Shelton were also cut loose. Morales had lost two straight bouts prior to his release.
Morales is one of three recent fighters to be let go by the promotion from the flyweight division. Wilson Reis and Eric Shelton were also cut loose. Morales had lost two straight bouts prior to his release.
Losing streak hits two after setback in Denver
Morales lost to Eric Shelton via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Denver.
ANALYSIS
Morales looked poor and he didn't fight as well as the 'split decision' term would lead you to believe. He managed to land just 28 total strikes over the course of the 15-minute bout and his takedown defense was non existent. The Team Alpha Male product has now lost back-to-back fights after emerging victorious in his UFC debut in August 2017.
Morales looked poor and he didn't fight as well as the 'split decision' term would lead you to believe. He managed to land just 28 total strikes over the course of the 15-minute bout and his takedown defense was non existent. The Team Alpha Male product has now lost back-to-back fights after emerging victorious in his UFC debut in August 2017.
Fails to get going against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night
Morales lost to Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (punches) at 4:34 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Belem, Brazil
ANALYSIS
This was Morales' second fight in the UFC, but he appeared to be out of his depth. He had a lot of trouble getting anything going. On the feet, his missed the majority of his punches. On the ground, he held his guard well, but he struggled to get back to his feet. In the second round, Figueiredo got the timing of the striking and dropped Morales with punches. The end came shortly after. Morales falls to 1-1 in the UFC and 9-1 as a professional.
This was Morales' second fight in the UFC, but he appeared to be out of his depth. He had a lot of trouble getting anything going. On the feet, his missed the majority of his punches. On the ground, he held his guard well, but he struggled to get back to his feet. In the second round, Figueiredo got the timing of the striking and dropped Morales with punches. The end came shortly after. Morales falls to 1-1 in the UFC and 9-1 as a professional.
Set to meet Deiveson Figueiredo in Brazil
Morales will take on Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night 125 in Belem, Brazil, on February 3, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales recently joined the UFC this past year, and defeated Roberto Sanchez in impressive fashion during his debut. That fight came in early August in Mexico City, and Morales used a rear-naked choke to best Sanchez via submission in Round 1 of the bout. On the other side, Figueiredo comes in with two straight wins following his move to the UFC, as he claimed a split decision victory over Jarred Brooks in a few weeks ago, and a defeat of Marco Beltran via TKO (strikes) in his debut in June.
Morales recently joined the UFC this past year, and defeated Roberto Sanchez in impressive fashion during his debut. That fight came in early August in Mexico City, and Morales used a rear-naked choke to best Sanchez via submission in Round 1 of the bout. On the other side, Figueiredo comes in with two straight wins following his move to the UFC, as he claimed a split decision victory over Jarred Brooks in a few weeks ago, and a defeat of Marco Beltran via TKO (strikes) in his debut in June.