Joseph Morales

Joseph Morales (born August 22, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In his MMA debut at WSOF 16, Joseph defeated Christian Espinosa via unanimous decision. Then he defeated Roque Reyes via TKO in the first round. At WFC 14, Joseph submitted Benji Gomez in the second round via rear naked choke. He also tapped out Gerald Bailey in round one via guillotine choke at GKO 4. Joseph submitted his next two opponents in Sammy Saunders and Gerald Bailey respectively. At GKO 8, he defeated Josh Paiva via unanimous decision, earning him the GKO Flyweight Championship. At CFFC 64 Joseph defeated Sean Santella via TKO in the second round and earned his ticket to the UFC in the process.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Morales made his promotional debut on August 5, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 114, facing Roberto Sanchez. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

On February 3, 2018, Morales faced Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night 125. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Morales faced Eric Shelton on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 139. He lost the fight via split decision.

After losing his last two fights, Morales got released from the UFC in May 2019.

Post-UFC career Morales made his return to mixed martial arts, after a three year absence from the sport, to face Kevin Wirth at Cage Warriors 126 on August 1, 2021. Morales won the fight by unanimous decision.

Morales faced Sidemar Honorio on March 4, 2022, at Cage Warriors 133. He won the bout via split decision.

Morales won the A1C Flyweight Championship on February 3, 2023, submitting Anthony Do in the third round via triangle choke.

The Ultimate Fighter 33 Morales competed in the thirty-third season of The Ultimate Fighter, where he defeated Eduardo Henrique in the quarterfinal via first round submission, and then defeated Imanol Rodriguez in the semi final via split decision.

Morales faced Alibi Idiris in the tournament final on August 16, 2025, at UFC 319. He won the fight via a triangle choke in round two to become The Ultimate Fighter season 33 winner.

Return to UFC Morales faced Matt Schnell on November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264. He won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Morales is scheduled to face former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno on September 12, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 288.

Professional grappling career Morales was booked to compete in the Combat Jiu-Jitsu bantamweight world championship on July 30, 2023.

Championships and achievements Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) The Ultimate Fighter 33 Flyweight Tournament Winner Urijah Faber's A1 Combat A1 Combat Flyweight Championship (One time) Global Knockout GKO Flyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Matt Schnell Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brown

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alibi Idiris Submission (triangle choke) UFC 319

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Anthony Do Submission (triangle choke) Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 8

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Sidemar Honorio Decision (split) Cage Warriors 133

San Diego, California, United States Win

Kevin Wirth Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors 126

San Diego, California, United States Loss

Eric Shelton Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

Deiveson Figueiredo TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders

Belém, Brazil Win

Roberto Sanchez Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Sean Santella TKO (punches) Cage Fury FC 64

San Diego, California, United States Win

Josh Paiva Decision (unanimous) Global Knockout 8

Jackson, California, United States Win

Gerald Bailey Submission (rear-naked choke) Global Knockout 7

Jackson, California, United States Win

Sammy Saunders Submission (triangle choke) Global Knockout 6

Jackson, California, United States Win

Gerald Bailey Submission (rear-naked choke) Global Knockout 4

Jackson, California, United States Win

Benji Gomez Submission (rear-naked choke) West Coast FC 14

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Roque Reyes TKO (punches) West Coast FC 13

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Christian Espinosa Decision (unanimous) WSOF 16

Sacramento, California, United States Mixed martial arts exhibition record Win

Imanol Rodriguez Decision (split)

Win

Eduardo Henrique Submission (rear-naked choke)