Joseph Morales
15-2-0
About
Submission specialist and TUF 33 champion making a comeback run in the UFC flyweight division after a three-year absence.
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Joseph 'Bopo' Morales is a 30-year-old American flyweight who started fighting at age 10 as a father-son hobby and has since built a 15-2 record driven by submission expertise. After a promising UFC debut in 2017 (a Performance of the Night submission of Roberto Sanchez), he struggled in early title-contender matchups, losing to future champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Eric Shelton before being released in May 2019. Rather than fade into obscurity, Morales spent three years rebuilding his résumé on the regional circuit, winning the A1 Combat Flyweight Championship and establishing himself as one of the best grapplers at 125 pounds. In 2025, he earned his way back to the UFC the hard way: by winning The Ultimate Fighter season 33 as a 3-to-1 underdog, submitting the previously undefeated Alibi Idiris with a picture-perfect triangle choke in the tournament final at UFC 319.
Morales fights as a submission-first grappler who threatens relentlessly from every position. His record shows 8 wins by submission and 6 first-round finishes, a signature style built on wrestling, positional control, and neck-hunting discipline. He mixes effective body work and clinch striking but wins fights by dragging opponents to the canvas and finding the back or setting up chokes from bottom position, a technical mastery that separates him from brawlers. His recent win over Matt Schnell in November 2025 continued that pattern: a quick guillotine in Round 1 that signaled Morales was serious about his second UFC run.
The appeal of Morales lies in his redemption arc and technical excellence. He represents the grinder who loses early opportunities but claws his way back through grit and skill refinement, earning a second chance and making the most of it. For submission enthusiasts, he is a treat: someone who grinds positional exchanges and capitalizes on even small openings with precision. Trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, Morales has his sights set on a flyweight title and carries himself with genuine humility, expressing gratitude for his return and using his platform to advocate for his home region.
Why fans love Morales
Morales' submission skill and finishing rate (8 subs in 15 wins) make him entertaining for grappling purists. His TUF 33 underdog triumph as a 3-to-1 dog against an undefeated prospect resonated as a David-and-Goliath story. He trains at the respected Team Alpha Male in Sacramento and carries himself with humble gratitude for his second chance.
