Vince Morales Record: 16-11-0

UFC run

Morales debuted in the Octagon in November 2018, dropping a unanimous decision to surging prospect Yadong Song. He answered with a statement, outpointing Aiemann Zahabi by unanimous decision in May 2019 for his first UFC win, before close decision losses to Benito Lopez and, in 2020, a TKO via leg kicks against Chris Gutierrez. The high point of his UFC tenure came across 2021: a unanimous-decision win over Drako Rodriguez at UFC 265, followed by a first-round knockout of veteran Louis Smolka on a thunderous overhand right. Decisions then went against him versus Jonathan Martinez and Miles Johns in 2022.

Regional resurgence and return

Rather than fade out, Morales rebuilt himself on the regional and international scene through 2023 and 2024, reeling off a string of wins that showcased his grappling. He submitted Teruto Ishihara with a D'Arce choke at XMMA 6, decisioned veteran Yuki Motoya at RIZIN 45, and choked out Hunter Azure with a Peruvian necktie. That form earned him another UFC stint, though it has been a difficult one: unanimous-decision losses to Taylor Lapilus, prospect Elijah Smith, blue-chipper Raul Rosas Jr., and most recently Colby Thicknesse in May 2026.

Fighting style

Morales is a true finisher when he is on top of an opponent, with 12 of his 16 wins coming inside the distance – seven by knockout and five by submission. His best work blends concussive power punching, headlined by that overhand right, with a genuinely sneaky submission game built on chokes from a variety of positions. The honest counterpoint is his ledger against the division's elite: many of his losses have come by decision to technically sharp, high-output opponents, which points to the rounds where his volume and takedown defense have come up short. He remains a dangerous, durable veteran who is never out of a fight.

Career highlights

• UFC knockout of Louis Smolka — floored the experienced flyweight/bantamweight veteran with a first-round overhand right in 2021, his signature finish on the sport's biggest stage.
• Front Street Fights featherweight champion — captured a regional title and a reputation as a finisher on the Pacific Northwest circuit before reaching the UFC.
• Submission specialist on the comeback trail — rattled off D'Arce, Peruvian necktie and arm-triangle finishes during his 2023–24 resurgence to fight his way back to the UFC.