Alex Morono Explained

Alex Morono
Other Names:The Great White
Birth Name:Alexander Quincy Morono[1]
Birth Date:16 August 1990
Birth Place:Houston, Texas, U.S.
Weight:170 lb
Weight Class:Middleweight (2014)
Welterweight
Reach In:73
Stance:Orthodox
Fighting Out Of:Houston, Texas, U.S.
Team:Gracie Barra The Woodlands (2007–present)[2]
Fortis MMA (2018–present)[3]
Trainer:Sayif Saud
Rank:2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Vinícius "Draculino" Magalhães[4]
Black belt in Taekwondo[5]
Years Active:2010–present
Mma Kowin:6
Mma Subwin:7
Mma Decwin:10
Mma Dqwin:1
Mma Koloss:3
Mma Decloss:8
Mma Nc:1
Sherdog:64894

Alexander Quincy Morono (born August 16, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist and boxer who currently fights in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2010, Morono has also fought for Legacy Fighting Championship, where he was the Welterweight Champion.[6]

Background

Morono was born and raised in Houston, Texas, alongside three brothers.[7] 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. 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.[8]

Later that same year, Morono made his professional MMA debut, winning 21 seconds into the first round by armbar.[8]

On December 4, 2015, Morono won the Legacy Fighting Championship Welterweight Championship with a first-round guillotine choke over Derrick Krantz.[9]

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.[6] Morono was awarded a split decision victory.[10]

Morono was expected to face James Moontasri on October 15, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 97.[11] However, the promotion announced on October 6 that they had cancelled the event entirely.[12] [13] In turn, the pairing was quickly rescheduled and eventually took place on December 17, 2016 at UFC on Fox 22.[14] Morono won the fight by unanimous decision.[15]

Morono was expected to face Sheldon Westcott on February 4, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 104.[16] However, Westcott pulled out of the fight in early January and was replaced by Niko Price.[17] He lost the fight via knockout at the end of the second round;[18] however this was later overturned to a no contest after Price tested positive for marijuana.[19]

Morono faced Keita Nakamura on September 23, 2017 at .[20] He lost the fight by split decision.[21]

Morono faced Joshua Burkman on February 18, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 126.[22] He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.[23]

Morono faced Jordan Mein on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30.[24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[25] After the loss, Morono decided to change camps, joining Fortis MMA.

Morono faced Song Kenan on November 24, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 141.[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[27] The win also earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.[28]

Morono faced Zak Ottow on March 9, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 4.[29] He won the fight via verbal submission due to elbow strikes in the first round.[30]

Morono faced Max Griffin on October 12, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 19.[31] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Morono was scheduled to face Dhiego Lima on February 8, 2020 at UFC 247.[33] However on January 22, 2020, Lima was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a neck injury,[34] and he was replaced by Khaos Williams.[35] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[36]

Morono faced Rhys McKee on November 14, 2020 at .[37] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[38]

As the first fight of his new multi-fight contract, Morono faced Anthony Pettis at on December 19, 2020.[39] [40] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[41]

Morono faced Donald Cerrone, replacing Diego Sanchez on May 8, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 24.[42] He won the fight via technical knockout late in the first round.[43] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[44]

Morono faced David Zawada, replacing Sergey Khandozhko, on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191.[45] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[46]

Morono faced Mickey Gall on December 4, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 31.[47] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[48]

Morono faced Matthew Semelsberger on July 30, 2022 at UFC 277.[49] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[50]

Morono faced Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 282 on Saturday, December 10, 2022, replacing an injured Robbie Lawler.[51] He lost the fight via technical knockout.[52]

Morono faced Tim Means on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4.[53] He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.[54]

Morono faced Joaquin Buckley on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229.[55] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[56]

Morono faced Court McGee on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240.[57] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[58]

Morono faced Niko Price in a rematch on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302.[59] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[60]

Morono faced Daniel Rodriguez on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244.[61] He lost the fight by split decision.[62]

Personal life

Morono and his wife Janice co-own the Gracie Barra The Woodlands gym.[63]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|24–11 (1)|Daniel Rodriguez|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Loss|align=center||Niko Price|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 302||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Newark, New Jersey, United States||-|Win|align=center|24–9 (1)|Court McGee|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Loss|align=center|23–9 (1)|Joaquin Buckley|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||- |Win|align=center|23–8 (1)|Tim Means|Submission (guillotine choke)|||align=center|2|align=center|2:09|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States||- |Loss|align=center||Santiago Ponzinibbio|TKO (punches)|UFC 282||align=center|3|align=center|2:29|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|22–7 (1)|Matthew Semelsberger|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 277||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|21–7 (1)|Mickey Gall|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|20–7 (1)|David Zawada|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|19–7 (1)|Donald Cerrone|TKO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|4:40|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|18–7 (1)|Anthony Pettis|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|18–6 (1)|Rhys McKee|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|17–6 (1)|Khaos Williams|KO (punches)|UFC 247||align=center|1|align=center|0:27|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–5 (1)|Max Griffin|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Tampa, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–5 (1)|Zak Ottow|TKO (submission to elbows)|||align=center|1|align=center|3:34|Wichita, Kansas, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–5 (1)|Song Kenan|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Beijing, China||-|Loss|align=center|14–5 (1)|Jordan Mein|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Calgary, Alberta, Canada||-|Win|align=center|14–4 (1)|Josh Burkman|Submission (guillotine choke)|||align=center|1|align=center|2:12|Austin, Texas, United States||-|Loss|align=center|13–4 (1)|Keita Nakamura|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Saitama, Japan||-|NC|align=center|13–3 (1)|Niko Price|NC (overturned)|||align=center|2|align=center|5:00|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–3|James Moontasri|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sacramento, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–3|Kyle Noke|Decision (split)|UFC 195||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–3|Derrick Krantz|Submission (guillotine choke)|Legacy FC 49||align=center|1|align=center|4:29|Bossier City, Louisiana, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–3|Valdir Araújo|KO (punch)|Legacy FC 44||align=center|3|align=center|2:18|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–3|Marcus Andrusia|TKO (punches and elbows)|Legacy FC 42||align=center|1|align=center|3:18|Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States||-|Win|align=center|8–3|Rashid Abdullah|Submission (triangle choke)|Fury Fighting 4||align=center|1|align=center|1:36|Humble, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–3|Larry Hopkins|TKO (punches)|Fury Fighting 2||align=center|1|align=center|0:44|Humble, Texas, United States||-|Loss|align=center|6–3|Diego Henrique da Silva|TKO (punches)|Legacy FC 31||align=center|1|align=center|1:55|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–2|Rashid Abdullah|DQ (biting)|Texas City Throwdown 1||align=center|3|align=center|0:10|Texas City, Texas, United States||-|Loss|align=center|5–2|Rob Wood|Decision (split)|Fury Fighting 1||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Humble, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–1|Brandon Farran|Submission (armbar)|Legacy FC 18||align=center|1|align=center|1:16|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–1|Rashon Lewis|TKO (punches)|Legacy FC 10||align=center|1|align=center|4:02|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–1|Evert Gutierrez|Decision (unanimous)|Legacy FC 8||align=center|3|align=center|3:00|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Loss|align=center|2–1|Jeff Rexroad|Decision (split)|Legacy FC 6||align=center|3|align=center|3:00|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Mark Garcia|Submission (armbar)|Legacy FC 5||align=center|1|align=center|0:41|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Jose Castro|Submission (armbar)|Triple A Promotions: Border Fight Fest 1||align=center|1|align=center|0:21|Laredo, Texas, United States|[64]

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/714198
  2. Web site: Meet Janice Morono of Gracie Barra The Woodlands. February 13, 2020. voyagehouston.com.
  3. Web site: Alex Morono credits Fortis MMA for resurgence, calls out Dhiego Lima after UFC Tampa. Matt Erickson. mmajunkie.com. October 13, 2019.
  4. CIJzFOsJVkk. "Today our Leader and Head coach, Professor @alexmoronomma was presented with the Second Degree on his Black Belt, by the legendary @draculinojj ! (...)". November 28, 2020. June 6, 2021. graciebarrathewoodlandstx.
  5. Web site: Alex Morono UFC. UFC.com. 14 September 2018 . June 6, 2021.
  6. Web site: Welcome to the UFC, Alex Morono . 23 December 2015 . bloodyelbow.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20151226015604/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/12/23/10660236/ufc-195-signs-alex-morono-vs-kyle-noke-welterweight-kelvin-gastelum-injury-mma-news . December 26, 2015 . live .
  7. Web site: UFC on Fox 30's Alex Morono: Coming Full Circle. Dan Kuhl. July 24, 2018. combatpress.com.
  8. Web site: Alex Morono . sherdog.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20151220221624/http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alex-Morono-64894 . December 20, 2015 . live .
  9. Web site: Alex Morono Guillotines Derrick Krantz, Grabs Welterweight Championship at Legacy 49 . sherdog.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20151212083619/http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Alex-Morono-Guillotines-Derrick-Krantz-Grabs-Welterweight-Championship-at-Legacy-49-96705 . December 12, 2015 . live .
  10. Web site: UFC 195 results: Alex Morono upsets 4-1 favorite Kyle Noke on 11 days' notice. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2016-01-02. 2016-01-02. http://mmadecisions.com/decision/6721/Alex-Morono-vs-Kyle-Noke
  11. News: Moontasri vs. Morono, Yang vs. Janes announced for UFC Fight Night 97. themmareport.com. Staff. 2016-09-03. 2016-09-03.
  12. Web site: UFC Fight Night Manila: Lamas vs. Penn to be rescheduled. ufc.com. Staff. 2016-10-06. 2016-10-06.
  13. Web site: After B.J. Penn's withdrawal, UFC cancels next week's UFC Fight Night 97 event in Philippines. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2016-10-06. 2016-10-06.
  14. Web site: James Moontasri vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on Fox 22. whittierdailynews.com. Brian Martin. 2016-10-17. 2016-10-17.
  15. Web site: UFC on FOX 22 results: Alex Morono rallies, finishes in dominant form against James Moontasri. Ben Fowlkes. mmajunkie.com. 2016-12-17. 2016-12-17.
  16. Web site: Alex Morono vs. Sheldon Westcott added to UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2016-12-24. 2016-12-24.
  17. Web site: Niko Price replaces Sheldon Westcott at UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2017-01-24. 2017-01-24.
  18. Web site: UFC Fight Night 104 results: Niko Price puts Alex Morono away with KO at Round 2 buzzer. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. 2017-02-04. 2017-02-04.
  19. News: Three UFC Houston fighters pop for marijuana. Bloody Elbow. 2017-06-17.
  20. Web site: Slew of bouts official for UFC Fight Night 117 in Japan. Dann Stupp. mmajunkie.com. 2017-08-06. 2017-08-06.
  21. News: UFC Fight Night 117 results: Keita Nakamura takes split from Alex Morono in bloody fight. 2017-09-23. MMAjunkie. 2017-09-23. en-US.
  22. News: Joshua Burkman vs. Alex Morono added to UFC Fight Night 126 in Austin. 2018-02-07. MMAjunkie. 2018-02-07. en-US.
  23. News: UFC Fight Night 126 results: Alex Morono taps out Josh Burkman, calls out Diego Sanchez. 2018-02-18. MMAjunkie. 2018-02-19. en-US.
  24. News: UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-04-27. 2018-04-27.
  25. News: UFC on FOX 30 results: Jordan Mein outworks Alex Morono with takedowns for decision. 2018-07-28. MMAjunkie. 2018-07-29. en-US.
  26. News: Thuisfavoriet Kenan Song treft Alex Morono tijdens UFC Beijing. DNA. MMA. 2018-10-19. MMA DNA. 2018-10-19. en-US.
  27. News: UFC Fight Night 141 play-by-play and live results. 2018-11-24. MMAjunkie. 2018-11-24. en-US.
  28. Web site: UFC Beijing Bonuses: Ngannou & Jingliang Bank $50k For Finishes. lowkickmma.com. Jon Fuentes. 2018-11-24. 2018-11-24.
  29. Web site: Welterweightclash tussen Alex Morono en Zak Ottow tijdens UFC Wichita. DNA. MMA. 2 February 2019. en-US. 2019-02-02.
  30. Web site: UFC Wichita Highlights! Morono Scores Vicious TKO Finish Over Ottow. Hiergesell. Dan. 2019-03-09. MMAmania.com. 2019-03-10.
  31. Web site: Max Griffin vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on ESPN+ 19 in Florida. Morgan. John. 2019-08-13. mmajunkie.com. 2019-08-13.
  32. Web site: UFC Tampa Results: Alex Morono Survives Late Push from Max Griffin in Great Fight. Doherty. Dan. 2019-10-12. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-10-13.
  33. Web site: Alex Morono fights in front of his own audience during UFC 247 in Houston against Dhiego Lima. Staff. mmadna.nl. 2019-12-05. 2019-12-05.
  34. Web site: Neck injury forces Dhiego Lima out of UFC 247 fight with Alex Morono. January 22, 2020. mmafighting.com. Guilherme Cruz.
  35. Web site: Kalinn Williams makes UFC debut against Alex Morono during UFC 247 in Houston. 29 January 2020 . mmadna.com. 2020-01-29. nl.
  36. Web site: UFC 247 Results: Kalinn Williams Stuns Crowd With Quick Finish Over Alex Morono. Bitter. Shawn. 2020-02-08. Cageside Press. en-US. 2020-02-09.
  37. Web site: 2020-10-16. Welterweights Rhys McKee, Alex Morono set for UFC on ESPN+ 41 showdown. 2020-10-16. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  38. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2020-11-14. UFC Vegas 14 Results: Alex Morono Overwhelms Rhys McKee. 2020-11-14. Cageside Press. en-US.
  39. Web site: 2020-12-02. Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono Joins UFC Vegas 17. 2020-12-02. Cageside Press. en-US.
  40. Alex Morono Pre Fight Interview. December 17, 2020. YouTube. Randall Folkes.
  41. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2020-12-19. UFC Vegas 17: Anthony Pettis Has Late Surge to Secure Win Over Alex Morono. 2020-12-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  42. Web site: 2021-05-03. Donald Cerrone gets Alex Morono after Diego Sanchez removed from UFC on ESPN 24. 2021-05-04. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  43. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2021-05-08. UFC Vegas 26 Results: Alex Morono Upsets Donald Cerrone in First Round. 2021-05-09. Cageside Press. en-US.
  44. Web site: 2021-05-09. UFC on ESPN 24 bonuses: Gregor Gillespie gets $100,000 because Diego Ferreira missed weight. 2021-05-09. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  45. Web site: 2021-08-26. With Zviad Lazishvili out, Liudvik Sholinian steps in to face Jack Shore at UFC Fight Night 191. 2021-08-28. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  46. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2021-09-04. UFC Vegas 36 Results: Alex Morono Outpoints David Zawada. 2021-09-04. Cageside Press. en-US.
  47. Web site: 2021-11-12. Mickey Gall vs. Alex Morono added to UFC on ESPN 31 in December. 2021-11-13. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  48. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2021-12-04. UFC Vegas 44: Alex Morono Outstrikes Mickey Gall. 2021-12-05. Cageside Press. en-US.
  49. Web site: ATSteveDuncan . 2022-06-25 . Alex Morono vs. Matthew Semelsberger agregado a UFC 277 . 2022-06-27 . MMA.uno . es . 2022-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627065524/https://mma.uno/alex-morono-vs-matthew-semelsberger-agregado-a-ufc-277/ . dead .
  50. Web site: Law . Eddie . 2022-07-30 . UFC 277: Alex Morono Decisions Semelsberger After Wild Third Round . 2022-08-01 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  51. Web site: Santiago Ponzinibbio gets Alex Morono as replacement opponent for UFC 282. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Danny Segura and Mike Bohn. 2022-12-05. 2022-12-06.
  52. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-12-10 . UFC 282: Santiago Ponzinibbio Puts Away Alex Morono in Third Round of Back-and-Forth Affair . 2022-12-11 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  53. Web site: UFC adds Tim Means vs. Alex Morono to May 13 lineup. MMA Junkie. Farah Hannoun and Nolan King. 2023-03-28. 2023-03-28.
  54. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-05-13 . UFC Charlotte: Alex Morono Submits Tim Means with Guillotine in Action-Packed Fight . 2023-05-13 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  55. Web site: 2023-09-10 . Joaquin Buckley vs. Alex Morono added to October UFC Fight Night event . 2023-09-11 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  56. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-10-07 . UFC Vegas 80: Joaquin Buckley Has Career-Best Performance in Win Over Alex Morono . 2023-10-08 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  57. Web site: 2024-02-29 . 'TUF 11' winner Court McGee booked for next UFC fight vs. Alex Morono . 2024-03-02 . Yahoo Sports . en-AU.
  58. Web site: Hester . Bryson . 2024-04-06 . UFC Vegas 90: Alex Morono Decisions TUF Champ Court McGee . 2024-04-06 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  59. Web site: Martin . Damon . 2024-04-18 . UFC 302 adds several fights to Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier card . 2024-05-13 . MMA Fighting . en.
  60. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2024-06-02 . UFC 302: Niko Price Raises Hand Again in Rematch With Alex Morono . 2024-06-02 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  61. Web site: Are there UFC fights tonight? Here's the promotion's upcoming schedule after UFC 306 at Sphere. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. MMA Junkie Staff. 2024-09-21. 2024-09-21.
  62. Web site: UFC Vegas 98: Daniel Rodriguez Captures Split Decision Against Alex Morono. cagesidepress.com. Brett Cagle. 2024-10-12. 2024-10-12.
  63. Alex Morono wants to test Rhys McKee with an ugly, dirty fight . November 1, 2020.
  64. Web site: Sherdog.com. Alex. 2021-09-04. Sherdog.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Alex Morono".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.