Alex Morono

Alex Morono (born August 16, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently fights as a welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2010, Morono has also fought for Legacy Fighting Championship, where he was the Welterweight Champion.

Background
Morono was born and raised in Houston, Texas, alongside three brothers. 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.

Early career
In 2010, Morono began competing in Legacy Fighting Championship amateur series, amassing a record of 3–0–1.

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

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

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. Morono was awarded a split decision victory.

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

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

Morono faced Keita Nakamura on September 23, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami. He lost the fight by split decision.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morono faced Rhys McKee on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

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. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Personal life
Morono and his wife Janice co-own the Gracie Barra The Woodlands gym.

Championships and achievements

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Kenan Song
 * Performance of the Night (one time) vs. Donald Cerrone
 * Legacy Fighting Championship
 * LFC Welterweight Championship (one time)