Joseph Morales Record: 14-3-0

UFC career

Morales made his promotional debut in August 2017 and seized the moment, submitting undefeated prospect Roberto Sanchez by first-round rear-naked choke to earn a Performance of the Night bonus. The next chapter was harsher: in February 2018 he ran into future champion Deiveson Figueiredo and suffered a second-round TKO, then dropped a split decision to Eric Shelton later that year. Released from the promotion, Morales rebuilt patiently outside the UFC, including a 2023 triangle-choke submission of Anthony Do, before earning his way back. He returned through The Ultimate Fighter 33, beating Imanol Rodriguez in an exhibition bout, then announced his comeback with authority in August 2025 by submitting undefeated Alibi Idiris with a second-round triangle choke at UFC 319. He followed up that November with a first-round guillotine choke of veteran Matt Schnell.

Fighting style

Morales is a grappling-first finisher whose game runs through his submissions: eight of his 14 wins have come by tap, headlined by chokes from the back and a dangerous triangle, with two knockouts and four decisions rounding out a 71 percent finish rate. He blends a wrestling base with sharp transitional grappling, hunting the neck the moment an opponent gives him an opening. His losses reveal the path to beating him — a knockout against the elite power of Figueiredo and a close decision against Shelton — suggesting he is most vulnerable when he cannot drag the fight into his grappling exchanges. When he does, few flyweights are comfortable.

Career highlights

• Performance of the Night debut — submitted unbeaten Roberto Sanchez in his 2017 UFC debut to claim a bonus and a winning start.
• UFC 319 comeback finish — submitted undefeated Alibi Idiris by triangle choke in 2025 to mark his return to the promotion in style.
• Submission specialist — eight of his 14 wins have come by submission, anchoring a 71 percent career finish rate.