Vince Morales Explained

Vince Morales
Other Names:Vandetta
Birth Date:12 November 1990
Birth Place:Caldwell, Idaho, United States
Fighting Out Of:Ontario, Oregon, United States
Weight Lb:145
Weight Class:Featherweight
Bantamweight
Reach:70 in[1]
Rank:Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Team:Freak-Jitsu (until 2020)[3]
Syndicate MMA (2020–present)[4]
Years Active:2015–present
Mma Kowin:7
Mma Subwin:5
Mma Decwin:4
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Subloss:2
Mma Decloss:5
Sherdog:177019

Vince Morales (born November 12, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division most recently for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional mixed martial artist since 2015, Morales has also competed in Bellator.

Background

Morales grew up in Ontario, Oregon and started wrestling while attending Ontario High School.[5] Despite going winless in wrestling in his freshman year and halfway through the sophomore year, he ended up becoming a state champion in his senior year.[6] Morales attended Boise State University for a spell but dropped out due to family issues.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Morales made his MMA debut at featherweight against Joseph Cleveland on May 15, 2015, at FSF - Front Street Fights 5. He won the fight via submission with a rear-naked choke in the first round.[7]

Following his MMA debut, Morales mainly fought within the Idaho regional MMA circuit, competing within organizations such as King of the Cage and Front Street Fights, wherein he held the organization's featherweight title.[8]

Bellator MMA

Morales made his Bellator debut at featherweight on May 20, 2016, against Hamilton Ash at Bellator 155.[9] He won the fight via knockout with punches in the third round.[10]

Morales faced Justin Hugo at bantamweight on September 21, 2018, at Bellator 205.[11] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[12]

Dana White's Contender Series

Morales faced Domingo Pilarte on July 17, 2018, at Dana White's Contender Series 13. He lost the fight via technical submission via rear-naked choke.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Replacing injured Frankie Saenz on short notice, Morales made his UFC debut at bantamweight on November 24, 2018, against Song Yadong at .[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Morales then faced Aiemann Zahabi on May 4, 2019, at .[16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

Morales next faced Benito Lopez on July 13, 2019, at .[18] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Morales then returned to featherweight and faced Chris Gutiérrez on May 30, 2020, at .[20] He lost the fight via TKO with leg kicks in the second round.[21] Three months after his loss to Gutiérrez, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon which required two surgeries.[22]

Morales returned to bantamweight and faced Drako Rodriguez at UFC 265 on August 7, 2021.[23] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[24]

Morales faced Louis Smolka on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31.[25] He won the fight via knockout out in round one.[26]

Morales, as a replacement for Liudvik Sholinian, was scheduled to face Nathaniel Wood on March 19, 2022, at .[27] In turn, just days before the event, Morales withdrew due to illness,[28] and the pair will be rescheduled for future event.[29]

Morales faced Jonathan Martinez on May 21, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 206.[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

Morales was scheduled to face José Johnson on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215,[32] but Johnson pulled out for undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by Miles Johns on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215.[33] Morales lost the fight via unanimous decision.[34]

It was announced in mid-January that UFC released Morales.[35]

Post UFC career

Morales faced Teruto Ishihara on May 3, 2023, at XMMA 6: Bash at the Beach.[36] [37] He won the bout in the third round, choking out Ishihara via anaconda choke.[38]

Morales faced Yuki Motoya on December 31, 2023 at Rizin 45, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[39]

Morales faced reigning UFL Bantamweight champion Hunter Azure for his title at United Fight League 5 on August 30, 2024. [40] He would win the fight via submission in the third round after submitting Azure with a Peruvian necktie thus becoming the new UFL Bantamweight Champion. [41]

Return to UFC

On short notice and replacing Felipe Lima, Morales made his return to the UFC and faced Taylor Lapilus on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243.[42] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[43]

Personal life

Morales is the cousin of fellow UFC bantamweight fighter Ricky Simón.[44] [45]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|16–8|Taylor Lapilus|Decision (Unanimous)| | |align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Paris, France||-|Win|align=center|16–7|Hunter Azure|Submission (Peruvian necktie)|United Fight League 5||align=center|3|align=center|4:06|Chandler, Arizona, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–7|Luis Guerrero|Submission (brabo choke)|Tuff-N-Uff 137||align=center|2|align=center|4:09|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Win |align=center|14–7|Yuki Motoya|Decision (unanimous)|Rizin 45||align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Saitama, Japan||-|Win|align=center|13–7|Joe Penafiel|TKO (punches)|Front Street Fights 26||align=center|2|align=center|2:19|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–7|Teruto Ishihara|Technical Submission (anaconda choke)|XMMA 6||align=center|3|align=center|1:17|Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States||-|Loss|align=center|11–7|Miles Johns|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00||Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|11–6|Jonathan Martinez|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–5|Louis Smolka|KO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|2:02|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–5|Drako Rodriguez|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 265||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–5|Chris Gutiérrez|TKO (leg kicks)|||align=center|2|align=center|4:27|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–4|Benito Lopez|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sacramento, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–3|Aiemann Zahabi|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Ottawa, Ontario, Canada||-|Loss|align=center|8–3|Song Yadong|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Beijing, China||-|Win|align=center|8–2|Justin Hugo|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 205||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Loss|align=center|7–2|Domingo Pilarte|Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)|Dana White's Contender Series 13||align=center|2|align=center|1:52|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–1|Brandon Hempleman|TKO (punches)|Front Street Fights 15||align=center|2|align=center|2:38|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–1|Rowdy Akers|Submission (arm-triangle choke)|KOTC: Quick Draw||align=center|1|align=center|1:58|Fort Hall, Idaho, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–1|Andrew Cruz|KO (punches)|Front Street Fights 10||align=center|3|align=center|3:07|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–1|Hamilton Ash|KO (punches)|Bellator 155||align=center|3|align=center|2:32|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–1|Patrick Trey Smith|TKO (punches)|Front Street Fights 8||align=center|1|align=center|4:15|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Loss|align=center|2–1|Josh Wick|Submission (armbar)|Front Street Fights 6||align=center|2|align=center|3:26|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Jeremie Montgomery|TKO (punches)|SFL 41: America 5||align=center|1|align=center|2:28|Tacoma, Washington, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Joseph Cleveland|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Front Street Fights 5||align=center|1|align=center|1:51|Boise, Idaho, United States||-

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stats UFC. 2020-06-14. ufcstats.com.
  2. Web site: Vince Morales UFC. September 28, 2024. UFC.com. November 2018 .
  3. We Got Next A Fired Up Danny Sabatello & Victorious Vince Morales. December 9, 2021. Mike Heck.
  4. Vince Morales talks UFC 265, Layoff due to injury & Training at Syndicate MMA. James Lynch. July 21, 2021. YouTube.
  5. Jamahal Hill and Vince Morales. December 7, 2021. Jim Norton. Matt Serra.
  6. Web site: Morales Believes He's Built The Foundation For Octagon Success. May 3, 2019. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Thomas Gerbasi.
  7. News: Setting the Bar featuring Bellator MMA fighters Vince Morales and Jordan Young. Myles Painter. 2018-10-09. MMA UK. 2020-06-14.
  8. News: Todd Carlson discusses Featherweight, Bantamweight for FSF. Todd Carlson. 2017-09-16. CenturyLink Arena Boise. 2020-06-14.
  9. Web site: Bellator 155 fight card finalized for 'Carvalho vs Manhoef' on May 20 in Boise. Steve Juon. 2016-03-25. MMA Mania. 2020-06-14.
  10. Web site: Bellator 155 Results: Carvalho vs. Manhoef. Luke Thomas. 2016-05-20. MMA Fighting. 2020-06-14.
  11. Web site: Latest Bellator 205 fight card, rumors for 'McKee vs Macapa' on Sept. 21 in Boise. Steve Juon. 2018-08-30. MMA Mania. 2020-06-14.
  12. Web site: Bellator 205 Results: McKee vs. Macapa. Bryan Tucker. 2018-09-21. MMA Fighting. 2020-06-14.
  13. Web site: Dana White's Contender Series 13 results: Pilarte among three to earn UFC contract. Eddie Mercado. 2018-07-17. Bloody Elbow. 2020-06-14.
  14. Web site: Mother's battle with cancer fueled MMA dream for UFC Beijing's Vince Morales. Alexander K. Lee. 2018-11-23. MMA Fighting. 2020-06-14.
  15. Web site: UFC Beijing Results: Song Yadong Defeats Vince Morales In Style. Jay Anderson. 2018-11-24. Cageside Press. 2020-06-14.
  16. News: Zahabi is Ready to be back in the Octagon. UFC. E. Spencer Kyte. 2019-04-29. 2020-06-14.
  17. News: UFC Ottawa Results: Vince Morales Narrowly Outpoints Aiemann Zahabi. Davidson Baker. 2019-05-04. Cageside Press. 2020-06-14.
  18. News: UFC Fight Night 155 Preview: The Odds Are Against Team Alpha Male. Forbes. Trent Reinsmith. 2019-07-11. 2020-06-14.
  19. News: UFC Sacramento Results: Benito Lopez Survives Knockdown, Edges Out Vince Morales. Ryan Fortune. 2019-07-13. Cageside Press. 2020-06-14.
  20. News: Chris Gutierrez vs. Vince Morales targeted for May 30 UFC event. Mike Heck. 2020-05-21. MMA Fighting. 2020-06-14.
  21. News: UFC Vegas Results: Chris Gutierrez Chops Down Vince Morales, Earns Leg Kick TKO. Jay Anderson. 2020-05-30. Cageside Press. 2020-06-14.
  22. Web site: Behunin . Alex . Vince Morales interview . Youtube . 4 August 2021 . Alex Behunin . 5 August 2021.
  23. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-05-08. Drako Rodriguez vs. Vince Morales Set For UFC 265. 2021-05-10. Cageside Press. en-US.
  24. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-08-07. UFC 265 Results: Vince Morales Snaps Skid, Defeats Drako Rodriguez. 2021-08-08. Cageside Press. en-US.
  25. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-10-06. Vince Morales vs. Louis Smolka Set For December 4 UFC Event. 2021-10-07. Cageside Press. en-US.
  26. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-12-04. UFC Vegas 44: Vince Morales Stuns Louis Smolka Early. 2021-12-05. Cageside Press. en-US.
  27. Web site: Behunin . Alex . 2022-03-05 . Liudvik Sholinian Out, Vince Morales Will Face Nathaniel Wood At UFC London . 2022-03-07 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  28. Web site: Nathaniel Wood in need of UFC Fight Night 204 opponent after Vince Morales withdraws due to illness. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2022-03-16. 2022-03-16.
  29. Web site: 2022-03-17 . UFC London: No replacement for Nathaniel Wood, bout against Vince Morales to be rescheduled . 2022-03-17 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  30. Web site: Behunin . Alex . 2022-04-16 . Vince Morales vs. Jonathan Martinez Set For May 21 UFC Event . 2022-04-16 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  31. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-05-21 . UFC Vegas 55: Jonathan Martinez Chews Up the Legs of Vince Morales En Route to Decision Win . 2022-05-22 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  32. Web site: Vince Morales set to take on recent Contender Series winner Jose Johnson at UFC Vegas 65. mmamania.com. Drake Riggs. 2022-09-27. 2022-09-27.
  33. Web site: Poli . John Eric . 2022-11-11 . Miles Johns talks short notice opportunity at UFC Vegas 65 . 2022-11-12 . en-US.
  34. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2022-11-19 . UFC Vegas 65: Miles Johns Defeats Vince Morales In Uneventful Bout . 2022-11-19 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  35. Web site: Shelton . Cole . UFC parts ways with 11 fighters BJPenn.com . BJPenn.com . 19 January 2023 . 19 January 2023.
  36. Web site: XMMA – The Future of Fighting . 2023-04-28 . en-CA.
  37. Web site: XMMA 6: Bash at the Beach MMA Event . 2023-04-28 . Tapology . en.
  38. Web site: AlexBehunin . 2023-05-04 . Highlights! Ex-UFC Fighters Shine At XMMA 6 . 2023-05-28 . MMAmania.com . en.
  39. Web site: 格闘技情報を毎日配信！ . eFight 【イーファイト】 . 【RIZIN】元谷友貴、"朝倉海のスパー相手"元UFCモラレスに悔しい判定負け . 2024-02-19 . eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ . 31 December 2023 . ja.
  40. Web site: UFL 5 Weigh in Results | MMA UK . August 30, 2024 .
  41. Web site: UFL 5: Phoenix vs. Vegas Full Results . August 31, 2024 .
  42. Web site: Taylor Lapilus affrontera l'Américain Vince Morales à l'UFC Paris 3. 2024-09-18. 2024-09-18. boxemag.com. Olivier Angelini. fr.
  43. Web site: Taylor Lapilus Puts On Striking Clinic, Earns Decision Over Morales. cagesidepress.com. Eddie Law. 2024-09-28. 2024-09-28.
  44. News: Ricky Simón gave up a lot to fight Urijah Faber at UFC Sacramento. Elias Cepeda. 2019-07-11. Yahoo Sports. 2020-06-14.
  45. Web site: Family first, fighters second: Cousins Vince Morales, Ricky Simon live out dream at UFC Sacramento. Nolan King. 2019-07-10. mmajunkie.com. 2020-06-14.

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