Vince Morales
Vandetta
USA
Fourth straight decision loss
Morales lost to Colby Thicknesse via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
Morales is competitive every single time he steps into the Octagon, but he can't seem to get over the hump, with this being his fourth straight unanimous decision defeat. From a numbers standpoint, Vince may have deserved to win this fight. He won the significant strikes battle by a 48-46 count, in addition to landing the only three takedowns of the fight. Ultimately, none of the three judges thought he did enough to win. It's hard to believe Morales is going to stick around given he's 35 years old and sporting a 3-9 record over the course of two separate stints with the company, but there continue to be some encouraging signs.
Morales is competitive every single time he steps into the Octagon, but he can't seem to get over the hump, with this being his fourth straight unanimous decision defeat. From a numbers standpoint, Vince may have deserved to win this fight. He won the significant strikes battle by a 48-46 count, in addition to landing the only three takedowns of the fight. Ultimately, none of the three judges thought he did enough to win. It's hard to believe Morales is going to stick around given he's 35 years old and sporting a 3-9 record over the course of two separate stints with the company, but there continue to be some encouraging signs.
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Set for must-win bout
Morales will face Colby Thicknesse in a bantamweight bout at UFC Perth on May 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales will face an opponent who's been lucky so far in his brief stint with the promotion, as he's 1-1 but could easily hold a 0-2 record. Morales is in dire need of a win in this bout, as he's dropped his last three fights by unanimous decision, and a fourth straight loss would probably result in the release of his contract.
Morales will face an opponent who's been lucky so far in his brief stint with the promotion, as he's 1-1 but could easily hold a 0-2 record. Morales is in dire need of a win in this bout, as he's dropped his last three fights by unanimous decision, and a fourth straight loss would probably result in the release of his contract.
Third straight decision defeat
Morales lost to Raul Rosas via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Mexico City.
ANALYSIS
Morales was competitive and had a chance to win this fight, which is about all you can ask for given the tough opponent he was facing in a hostile environment. Morales was predictably and thoroughly overwhelmed by the grappling game of Rosas, allowing four takedowns and 9:38 worth of control time, but he had a pair of deep submission attempts in Round 3, either of which could have closed the show. Morales has been durable, seeing the final bell in each of his last three fights, but he's lost all three via unanimous decision and is now likely looking at a release.
Morales was competitive and had a chance to win this fight, which is about all you can ask for given the tough opponent he was facing in a hostile environment. Morales was predictably and thoroughly overwhelmed by the grappling game of Rosas, allowing four takedowns and 9:38 worth of control time, but he had a pair of deep submission attempts in Round 3, either of which could have closed the show. Morales has been durable, seeing the final bell in each of his last three fights, but he's lost all three via unanimous decision and is now likely looking at a release.
Booked against Rosas Jr.
Morales will take on Raul Rosas in a bantamweight bout at UFC Mexico on March 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales is in desperate need of a victory. He's lost his last two bouts to drop his UFC record to a dangerous 3-7. He'll need to pull off a victory against a tough opponent in Rosas who, at just 20 years old, is 4-1 in the promotion and has won three straight.
Morales is in desperate need of a victory. He's lost his last two bouts to drop his UFC record to a dangerous 3-7. He'll need to pull off a victory against a tough opponent in Rosas who, at just 20 years old, is 4-1 in the promotion and has won three straight.
Drops decision in Vegas
Morales lost to Elijah Smith via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Considering the youth and athleticism he was giving up to Smith, Morales managed to remain plenty competitive. He worked his way back into the fight in Round 2 following a poor opening frame, but Smith landed a few huge blows in Round 3 and Vince was unable to match. Now 34 years of age, Morales drops to 3-7 over the course of two stints with the company. He has taken on the role of one of the top coaches at Syndicate MMA, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Morales focus more on that side of the sport moving forward.
Considering the youth and athleticism he was giving up to Smith, Morales managed to remain plenty competitive. He worked his way back into the fight in Round 2 following a poor opening frame, but Smith landed a few huge blows in Round 3 and Vince was unable to match. Now 34 years of age, Morales drops to 3-7 over the course of two stints with the company. He has taken on the role of one of the top coaches at Syndicate MMA, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Morales focus more on that side of the sport moving forward.
Gets another fight in February
Morales will take on Elijah Smith in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Vegas 102 on Feb. 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Morales was let go by the company back in 2022 following a two-fight losing streak, and his return effort didn't go much better, as he lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Taylor Lapilus. In what now may be the last chance for the 34-year-old to prove he belongs, Morales will now face a debuting fighter in Smith, who got his contract via a decsion victory on Contender Series back in September.
Morales was let go by the company back in 2022 following a two-fight losing streak, and his return effort didn't go much better, as he lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Taylor Lapilus. In what now may be the last chance for the 34-year-old to prove he belongs, Morales will now face a debuting fighter in Smith, who got his contract via a decsion victory on Contender Series back in September.