John Moraga

John Anthony Moraga (born March 20, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler who competed as a flyweight. He is best known for his lengthy career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which saw him challenge for the UFC Flyweight Championship in 2013.

Background Moraga was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is of Mexican descent. Moraga attended Maryvale High School and then chose to go to Arizona State University where he was a two-time University Freestyle All-American wrestler for the Sun Devils. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Mixed martial arts career Moraga started his professional career at 2009 in Arizona for the local organization Rage in the Cage. There he achieved an undefeated record of 6–0, until his fight against John Dodson in 2010, in which he lost via unanimous decision. He then won five straight bouts, and was signed by the UFC in 2012.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Moraga was expected his promotional debut against Ian McCall on August 4, 2012 at UFC on Fox 4. However, McCall was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Ulysses Gomez. Moraga won the fight via KO in the first round.

Moraga next faced Chris Cariaso on December 29, 2012 at UFC 155. Moraga was victorious with a third round guillotine choke submission. His victory also earned him Submission of the Night honors.

Moraga was expected to face UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson for the title on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. However, Johnson was forced out of the bout with an injury and Moraga was removed from the event as well.

Moraga eventually faced Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Fox 8 on July 27, 2013. Moraga showed promise in the first round as he landed some good strikes standing. However, the champion began to wear him down with his wrestling. Despite hurting Johnson in the fourth round with a punch, he lost the fight via submission in the fifth round.

Moraga was expected to face Darren Uyenoyama on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9. However, Moraga pulled out of the bout with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alptekin Ozkilic.

Moraga faced Dustin Ortiz on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35. He won the fight via split decision.

A rematch with John Dodson took place on June 7, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 42. He lost the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage between rounds two and three after a knee Dodson threw late in the second round broke Moraga's nose.

Moraga faced Justin Scoggins on September 5, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 50. Moraga defeated Scoggins via submission in the second round, securing a guillotine choke after being taken down.

Moraga was expected to face Jussier Formiga on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. However, Formiga pulled out of the fight on November 21 and was replaced by Willie Gates. Moraga won the fight via submission in the third round.

Moraga faced Joseph Benavidez on May 23, 2015 at UFC 187. Moraga lost the back and forth fight via unanimous decision.

Moraga faced Matheus Nicolau on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale He lost the fight via split decision.

Moraga was expected to face Zach Makovsky on December 10, 2016 at UFC 206. However, Moraga pulled out of the fight in early November citing injury and was replaced by Dustin Ortiz.

Moraga next faced Sergio Pettis on January 15, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 103. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Moraga faced promotional newcomer Ashkan Mokhtarian on June 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110. He won the one-sided fight by unanimous decision.

Moraga faced Magomed Bibulatov on October 7, 2017 at UFC 216. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Moraga faced Wilson Reis on April 14, 2018 at UFC on Fox 29. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Moraga faced Deiveson Figueiredo on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

On February 7, 2019, it was reported that Moraga was released from the UFC, which would be confirmed by then-UFC Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo.

Post-UFC career Moraga was supposed to face Hector Sandoval at ARES 2 on April 3, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed until October 30, 2020, before being cancelled altogether.

Professional boxing career Just before joining ranks of the UFC, Moraga made his professional boxing debut against Jose Marrufo, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

After he was released from the UFC in 2019, he continued with his boxing career by defeating Brandon Foss via technical knockout in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments Amateur wrestling USA Wrestling University Freestyle All-American out of Arizona State University (2006–07) University Freestyle National Championship 133 lb: 6th place out of Arizona State University (2006–07) National Collegiate Athletic Association Pac-10 Conference 125 lb: 4th place out of Arizona State University (2007) Pac-10 Conference 133 lb: 6th place out of Arizona State University (2004)

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Submission of the Night (One time) UFC.com Awards 2012: Ranked #6 Newcomer of the Year Rage in the Cage Rage in the Cage Bantamweight Crown (2012) Trilogy Championship Fighting Trilogy Championship Fighting Bantamweight Champion (2011) Sherdog 2013 All-Violence First Team

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Deiveson Figueiredo TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Win

Wilson Reis Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Magomed Bibulatov KO (punch) UFC 216

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ashkan Mokhtarian Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt

Auckland, New Zealand Loss

Sergio Pettis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Loss

Matheus Nicolau Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joseph Benavidez Decision (unanimous) UFC 187

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Willie Gates Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Justin Scoggins Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Mousasi

Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States Loss

John Dodson TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Dustin Ortiz Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou

Duluth, Georgia, United States Loss

Demetrious Johnson Submission (armbar) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

Chris Cariaso Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 155

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ulysses Gomez KO (elbows and punches) UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Jose Carbajal Decision (unanimous) Cage Rage: On the River 2

Parker, Arizona, United States Win

Maurice Senters Decision (unanimous) Rage in the Cage 160

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Matthew Garcia Submission (armbar) Coalition of Combat: The Bangers Ball

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Freddie Lux Submission (guillotine choke) Trilogy Championship Fighting: Rumble at the Ranch 2

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Nathaniel Baker Submission (armbar) Martinez Brothers Production: Sun City Battle

El Paso, Texas, United States Loss

John Dodson Decision (unanimous) Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Win

Aldo Escudero Decision (unanimous) Rage in the Cage 143

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Travis Halverson Submission (guillotine choke) Rage in the Cage 142

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Pat Donovan Submission (triangle choke) Rage in the Cage 140

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Evan Morton Decision (unanimous) Rage in the Cage 139

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Al Decastro TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 138

Mesa, Arizona, United States Win

Sam Shapiro Decision (unanimous) Rage in the Cage 136

Prescott Valley, Arizona, United States Professional boxing record