Alex Morono

Alexander Quincy Morono (born August 16, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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.

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

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 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. 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.

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

Morono faced Carlos Leal Miranda on March 8, 2025, at UFC 313. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Morono faced Daniil Donchenko on February 7, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 266. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On February 10, 2026, following his fourth consecutive loss, it was reported that Morono was removed from the UFC roster.

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

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (one time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Daniil Donchenko Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Carlos Leal TKO (punches) UFC 313

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Daniel Rodriguez Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Niko Price Decision (unanimous) UFC 302

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Court McGee Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joaquin Buckley Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tim Means Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Loss

Santiago Ponzinibbio TKO (punches) UFC 282

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Matthew Semelsberger Decision (unanimous) UFC 277

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Mickey Gall Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

David Zawada Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Donald Cerrone TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Anthony Pettis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rhys McKee Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Khaos Williams KO (punches) UFC 247

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Max Griffin Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Zak Ottow TKO (submission to elbows) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos

Wichita, Kansas, United States Win

Song Kenan Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2

Beijing, China Loss

Jordan Mein Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Josh Burkman Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros

Austin, Texas, United States Loss

Keita Nakamura Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami

Saitama, Japan NC

Niko Price NC (overturned) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie

Houston, Texas, United States Win

James Moontasri Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Kyle Noke Decision (split) UFC 195

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Derrick Krantz Submission (guillotine choke) Legacy FC 49

Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Win

Valdir Araújo KO (punch) Legacy FC 44

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Marcus Andrusia TKO (punches and elbows) Legacy FC 42

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Rashid Abdullah Submission (triangle choke) Fury Fighting 4

Humble, Texas, United States Win

Larry Hopkins TKO (punches) Fury Fighting 2

Humble, Texas, United States Loss

Diego Henrique da Silva TKO (punches) Legacy FC 31

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Rashid Abdullah DQ (biting) Texas City Throwdown 1

Texas City, Texas, United States Loss

Rob Wood Decision (split) Fury Fighting 1

Humble, Texas, United States Win

Brandon Farran Submission (armbar) Legacy FC 18

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Rashon Lewis TKO (punches) Legacy FC 10

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Evert Gutierrez Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 8

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Jeff Rexroad Decision (split) Legacy FC 6

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Mark Garcia Submission (armbar) Legacy FC 5

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Jose Castro Submission (armbar) Triple A Promotions: Border Fight Fest 1

Laredo, Texas, United States