vs
-290 +290
UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2 · Apr 06, 2024 · Welterweight · Completed
Prev Fight UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2 Next Fight
Age 35
Height 5' 11"
Reach 72.0"
Weight 170 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Age 41
Height 5' 11"
Reach 75.0"
Weight 170 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Career Averages - Alex Morono
4.9 SLpM
39.0% Str. Acc.
4.88 SApM
55.0% Str. Def.
0.32 TD Avg
24.0% TD Acc.
47.0% TD Def.
0.3 Sub. Avg
Career Averages - Court McGee
4.5 SLpM
36.0% Str. Acc.
3.65 SApM
60.0% Str. Def.
1.78 TD Avg
24.0% TD Acc.
70.0% TD Def.
0.5 Sub. Avg
Alex Morono
Moneyline
BetWay -290
KO/TKO
FanDuel +190
Submission
BetRivers +600
Decision
BetWay +200
Court McGee
Moneyline
Caesars +290
KO/TKO
DraftKings +1800
Submission
DraftKings +2000
Decision
FanDuel +420
Alex Morono - Fight History
Decision R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira · Feb 07, 2026
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Alex Morono 0 40 of 146 27% 48 of 154 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Daniil Donchenko 1 100 of 162 61% 134 of 214 0 of 0 --- 0 0 2:20
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Alex Morono 0 16 of 38 42% 22 of 44 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Daniil Donchenko 1 39 of 59 66% 70 of 108 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:44
2 Alex Morono 0 6 of 43 13% 7 of 44 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Daniil Donchenko 0 27 of 40 67% 30 of 43 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:35
3 Alex Morono 0 18 of 65 27% 19 of 66 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Daniil Donchenko 0 34 of 63 53% 34 of 63 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Alex Morono 40 of 146 27% 37 of 138 2 of 7 1 of 1 36 of 137 4 of 9 0 of 0
Daniil Donchenko 100 of 162 61% 45 of 99 21 of 28 34 of 35 82 of 134 7 of 11 11 of 17
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Alex Morono 16 of 38 42% 13 of 33 2 of 4 1 of 1 14 of 35 2 of 3 0 of 0
Daniil Donchenko 39 of 59 66% 23 of 42 8 of 9 8 of 8 25 of 37 3 of 5 11 of 17
2 Alex Morono 6 of 43 13% 6 of 42 0 of 1 0 of 0 5 of 39 1 of 4 0 of 0
Daniil Donchenko 27 of 40 67% 9 of 18 7 of 10 11 of 12 24 of 37 3 of 3 0 of 0
3 Alex Morono 18 of 65 27% 18 of 63 0 of 2 0 of 0 17 of 63 1 of 2 0 of 0
Daniil Donchenko 34 of 63 53% 13 of 39 6 of 9 15 of 15 33 of 60 1 of 3 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Daniil Donchenko vs. Alex Morono
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Donchenko (-550); Morono (+425)

Round 1
There is no glove touch in sight, as Morono instead leaps to engage and blasts Donchenko in the face with a huge right hand. Donchenko gathers his thoughts and starts chopping Morono’s lead leg down like a tree, aiming at Morono’s knee brace with both feet. Donchenko hurls a heavy punch salvo and kicks Morono’s leg out beneath him, and Morono scrambles upright and puts his back to the fence as the charging Donchenko clinches him. Donchenko rifles off a short elbow on the inside, and Morono retaliates with a strong right hand to break off. Donchenko hacks at the front leg with a kick, and he dances away from kicks including a wheel kick. Donchenko jabs to set up a left hand and an uppercut, snapping Morono’s head back like a Pez dispenser. Morono toughs it out, and Donchenko bears down on him with hurled fists. Donchenko’s aggression puts them into another clinch, and he looks for an elbow but can only graze the side. He lifts Morono off the ground with a knee, and just misses with an elbow on the break.
Donchenko stomp-kicks the front leg and chambers a kick on the side, and Morono counters and opens a cut on the bridge of Donchenko’s nose. Morono attempts an intercepting front kick, and Donchenko hammers him with a low kick that makes Morono hop around in pain. Donchenko reaches out with his fingers extended, and Peterson calls time to tell him to stop that. They get back to it, and Donchenko loads up on a huge right hand that staggers “The Great White.” Morono tries to step into the pocket to trade it out, and he narrowly evades a left hook that would knock out a mongoose. Donchenko blasts Morono with a pair of huge punches, knocking Morono to the mat, and he drops down vicious ground-and-pound. Several elbows land to the back of Morono’s head while Donchenko is unleashing a fury, and Morono turns over and gets his face sliced open with ground strikes from the Ukrainian. Donchenko lowers himself into the guard, and Morono threatens with an armbar from his back to give him space to turn over. When Morono gets to his knees, Donchenko pounds away with right hands. Morono survives the onslaught and works his way up, and he smashes Donchenko in the face with a shocking right hand. Morono might be out on his feet but he is still swinging, and he nails Donchenko with an elbow right before the break.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Donchenko
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-8 Donchenko
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Donchenko

Round 2
Morono watches the replay between rounds and laughs at his spinning attempt. The second round kicks off with Morono coming out gingerly, and it takes one kick from Donchenko to knock him to the mat. Donchenko allows him to stand back up, blood trickling down Morono’s left nostril, and Morono obliges him. Morono loads up with a fiery right hand that Donchenko ducks before seeing coming, and he tries to evade a left hook but gets caught cleanly. Rather than keep swinging, Donchenko presses the Houston native to the fence for a few seconds, with Morono looking for an attack on the break. Donchenko leans back to watch a high kick whiz past him, and he blasts the front leg of Morono and nearly takes him down again. Morono takes a kick on the inside, and he hurls a right hand forward but has nothing on his plant leg. Donchenko circles and kicks at the leg a few times, and he ducks into an uppercut and makes a face to show that he did not get hurt from it. Donchenko fakes a takedown and a high kick, and he settles for a body shot when Morono is escaping. Donchenko slaps a kick to the inside of Morono’s leg, and Morono hobbles around and takes another body shot before just avoiding a spinning elbow.
Morono sticks out straight punches, both nostrils now leaking, and Donchenko targets the left leg and hurts it badly. Morono can barely put weight on it, and he tries to slug it out but Donchenko takes the blows on the chin and keeps pushing. Donchenko goes to the body with a kick, and Morono switches stances a few times to remove his bum wheel from the equation. They both spin with back elbows at the same time and clash like Beyblades, and a low kick from Donchenko leads to another spin that busts Morono’s nose open much further. Donchenko hacks at the lead leg with two more kicks, the second of which checked, and Morono presses forward and swings with reckless abandon. Donchenko presses on Morono, and he elbows him on the break. Morono bounces off the wall and gets his leg kicked out, and Donchenko walks off as the round wraps.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Donchenko
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Donchenko
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Donchenko

Round 3
Morono admits to his corner that the leg kicks hurt a great deal, profanity redacted because this is family programming. The Texan opens up after taking serious damage the last 10 minutes behind his jab, and Donchenko targets the front leg several times in hopes of taking any momentum out of Morono. Morono surges forward, leaning back to avoid a spin as he backs Donchenko to the wall. Morono tries his own spin that bounces off the guard, and he ducks a pair of haymakers but cannot get out of the way of another calf kick. Donchenko kicks the inside and out, working the body and head, attacking any spot that is open. Morono takes another kick and limps around, and he loads up on a huge right hand that Donchenko easily ducks. Morono doubles up on a jab, and his follow-up right goes wide. He checks a kick, but still does not like the impact of the blow. Donchenko kicks him twice and then avoids a wheel kick, and Morono pushes off his face to protect himself from subsequent swings.
Donchenko jabs a front kick to the body and follows it with a left hand, and he circles away and just avoids an elbow from up close. The Ukrainian mixes in punches with low kicks, keeping his guard up to defend the eventual counters. Morono’s jabs have opened up the cut on Donchenko’s nose, and Donchenko bends over and seems to allow Morono to wrap him up and knee him in the face. Donchenko beans Morono behind the ear, and Morono takes it flush and bounces off the fencing when absorbing another. Morono partially checks a low kick, and he splits the guard with a left and a right. Donchenko stares at him, hands down, and unleashes a heavy leg kick. Donchenko wraps a right hand around the guard, and sends Morono spinning to his knees with a left. The Texan climbs back up and presses the action, jabbing to set up his right. Donchenko showboats and laughs at him when Morono lands, and he points to the ground to initiate a torrid brawl. Donchenko knocks Morono off his feet in the ensuing melee, and he is kicked in the chest to back him off right before the third round is over.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Donchenko (30-26 Donchenko)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Donchenko (30-26 Donchenko)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Donchenko (30-26 Donchenko)

The Official Result
Daniil Donchenko def. Alex Morono via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Feb 1, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

Angelo picks Daniil Donchenko despite believing Alex Morono is the better fighter skill-for-skill. He explains that Morono is a 'moron' who will stand and trade instead of using his high-level jiu-jitsu. Donchenko hits hard and Morono is on a three-fight skid. He thinks Morono has the easiest path to victory by grappling but won't do it, so he picks Donchenko.

"Denil Donenko is the pick. I I I He just hits too hard and Alex is going to stand there and try to go slike with him. It's just dumb."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Feb 1, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

Big Brady picks Daniil Donchenko, praising his aggressive style and dangerous striking. He questions Alex Morono's commitment to fighting, noting he has other pursuits and has looked poor in recent fights. He expects Donchenko to pressure and finish Morono early, similar to Carlos Liao's win over Morono.

by first round knockout
"I like Donchenko. I like Donchenko by first round knockout. I think he runs through Alex Morono."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Feb 4, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

Cody agrees, highlighting Donchenko's power and Morono's chin issues. He notes Donchenko's tendency to gas but expects an early finish. Cody suggests betting Donchenko live after the first round if he doesn't finish, but overall picks Donchenko.

"Donchenko is just highly aggressive and sits down on his punches and you know, maybe he can topple him over."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Feb 6, 2026 (1 day before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Morono is a subpar athlete who has lost his speed and durability. He notes that Donchenko is young and technical, and that Morono's wins were over past-prime fighters. Connor concludes that Donchenko will win purely based on age and physical decline.

Morono opened at +385, currently +525; Donchenko opened at -500, currently -725
"So it makes perfect sense to then match him up with Daniil Donchenko right now. And that's definitely a fight I have to think about hard to figure out how it's going to go."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Feb 1, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

Lucrative James picks Daniil Donchenko to win by TKO in round two or three. He trusts Donchenko's youth, physicality, and improvement, while noting that Morono is aging and has a questionable chin. James expects Morono to start well but fade as the fight progresses.

TKO in round 2 or 3
"I'm trusting Donenko. I'm trusting in his youth, physicality, power, durability, upside. and I'm trusting in his improvement upside to get the job done. I think be a TKO in round two or round three."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Feb 3, 2026 (4 days before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

The host picks Donchenko by first-round knockout, calling it a horrible stylistic matchup for Morono. He highlights Donchenko's Muay Thai, especially his elbows and knees, and his aggressive pressure. He notes Morono's chin is fading and he struggles with cardio, making him vulnerable to an early finish.

round 1 knockout
"So once again, give me Denil Donenko round one knockout."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Feb 4, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

Paul picks Daniil Donchenko, citing his power and aggression. He notes Morono's recent losses and declining durability. Paul expects Donchenko to finish early but warns about his cardio if it goes past the first round. He suggests betting Donchenko but not at heavy favorite odds.

"It's got to be Don Shenko favorite status on this side."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Feb 7, 2026 (fight day)
Daniil Donchenko

The host picks Daniil Donchenko over Alex Morono. He is very confident, predicting a first-round TKO. He notes Donchenko's aggressive style, elbows, body work, and low kicks. He thinks Morono can take a beating but Donchenko's cutting shots and pressure will overwhelm him early.

first round TKO
"I'm going to go with Danil Donchenko getting a first round TKO over Alex Morono all day long."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Feb 6, 2026 (1 day before fight)
Daniil Donchenko

Zane picks Donchenko based on age and decline of Morono. He notes that Morono is slower and more fragile, and that Donchenko is a young, technical, and violent fighter who can execute at multiple levels. Zane believes Donchenko will simply wreck Morono, as Morono has lost to late-career Niko Price and is past his prime.

Morono opened at +385, currently +525; Donchenko opened at -500, currently -725
"So Donchenko is just going to wreck him. Yeah. That's it. It's just going to go out there and wreck him."
LOSS vs Carlos Leal
KO R1 4:16 · UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev · Mar 08, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Alex Morono 0 40 of 95 42% 41 of 96 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:20
Carlos Leal 0 79 of 120 65% 81 of 123 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Alex Morono 0 40 of 95 42% 41 of 96 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:20
Carlos Leal 0 79 of 120 65% 81 of 123 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Alex Morono 40 of 95 42% 32 of 82 4 of 9 4 of 4 35 of 87 5 of 8 0 of 0
Carlos Leal 79 of 120 65% 49 of 89 28 of 29 2 of 2 54 of 91 25 of 29 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Alex Morono 40 of 95 42% 32 of 82 4 of 9 4 of 4 35 of 87 5 of 8 0 of 0
Carlos Leal 79 of 120 65% 49 of 89 28 of 29 2 of 2 54 of 91 25 of 29 0 of 0
Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira · Oct 12, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Daniel Rodriguez 0 123 of 257 47% 126 of 260 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:56
Alex Morono 0 74 of 257 28% 91 of 276 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Daniel Rodriguez 0 25 of 56 44% 25 of 56 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Alex Morono 0 31 of 81 38% 31 of 81 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Daniel Rodriguez 0 44 of 99 44% 44 of 99 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Alex Morono 0 23 of 91 25% 23 of 91 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Daniel Rodriguez 0 54 of 102 52% 57 of 105 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:56
Alex Morono 0 20 of 85 23% 37 of 104 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Daniel Rodriguez 123 of 257 47% 44 of 153 56 of 80 23 of 24 117 of 251 6 of 6 0 of 0
Alex Morono 74 of 257 28% 58 of 228 9 of 21 7 of 8 74 of 256 0 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Daniel Rodriguez 25 of 56 44% 7 of 32 11 of 17 7 of 7 25 of 56 0 of 0 0 of 0
Alex Morono 31 of 81 38% 20 of 67 5 of 8 6 of 6 31 of 81 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Daniel Rodriguez 44 of 99 44% 19 of 65 18 of 27 7 of 7 44 of 99 0 of 0 0 of 0
Alex Morono 23 of 91 25% 20 of 83 2 of 7 1 of 1 23 of 91 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Daniel Rodriguez 54 of 102 52% 18 of 56 27 of 36 9 of 10 48 of 96 6 of 6 0 of 0
Alex Morono 20 of 85 23% 18 of 78 2 of 6 0 of 1 20 of 84 0 of 1 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Oct 6, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Daniel Rodriguez

Angelo makes a low-confidence pick for Daniel Rodriguez, citing Alex Morono's unreliability. He notes that Morono is the overall better fighter but can never be trusted. Angelo suggests a plus 3.5 bet on Morono instead, as he believes Morono can win at least one round. He does not bet the moneyline on either fighter.

Considering plus 3.5 bet on Alex Morono if plus money
"The wildly low confidence pick will be Daniel because you just cannot trust Alex morono."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Oct 10, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Daniel Rodriguez

Big Brady picks Daniel Rodriguez to win by decision, but notes he needs to see the weigh-ins to confirm. He criticizes Morono's awful performance against Niko Price, where he was gassed after one minute, and notes Morono is on short notice again. He thinks Rodriguez is the better striker and less washed, though both are declining. If Morono looks bad on the scale, Brady would change his pick to a knockout. He expects a decision but is open to a finish if Morono looks terrible.

Rodriguez by decision; if Morono looks awful, change to knockout
"I'm picking D Rod regardless I think he's the better Striker quicker harder hitter and looks less less washed"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Oct 10, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Daniel Rodriguez

Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Rodriguez is a technical brawler who throws combinations and sets up shots, while Morono is a bad athlete who relies on game planning. He points out that Morono's jab is his best weapon but Rodriguez hits harder and is more durable. Connor expects Rodriguez to win a competitive fight.

Same odds commentary.
"Got to go with d rod agreed. But I like the fight a lot because oh, yeah the fight that morono will hang in he will keep it competitive."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Lean picked Oct 8, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Daniel Rodriguez

Daniel notes that Rodriguez has declined significantly in speed and reflexes, as seen in the Kelvin Gastelum fight, but he still has a speed advantage over Morono, who has never been fast. He thinks Rodriguez's jab and straight punches will get there first against Morono's wild overhands. However, he is not confident and expects the fight to be closer than the odds suggest.

"Sure, pure pick I'll go with D Rod because historically he does have a big speed advantage... but there's a potential this fight plays out closer than the line indicates."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Oct 11, 2024 (1 day before fight)
Daniel Rodriguez

Rodriguez is more well-rounded and technical than Morono. Morono uses footwork but will struggle with Rodriguez's counters and straight shots down the pipe. Rodriguez will walk Morono down, land big strikes, and win on the scorecards.

"I think Rodriguez will do a good job in terms of walking Morono down landing his big strikes and winning this fight on the scorecards"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Oct 8, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Daniel Rodriguez

The MMA Guru picks Daniel Rodriguez, criticizing Alex Morono for lacking talent, athleticism, and fast-twitch fibers. He praises Rodriguez's crisp, technical boxing and power, and expects a TKO in the second round. He dismisses Morono's grappling and overall game, calling him a 'flabby soft no Talent having hard worker'.

TKO second round
"I'm going to go with D Rod getting this one done way crisper boxing way more technical boxing way Slicker boxing way more power I'm going to say D Rod gets this one done by TKO second round"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Oct 10, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Daniel Rodriguez

Zane picks Rodriguez because he believes Rodriguez's power and durability will be too much for Morono. He notes that Morono often struggles against athletic fighters with power, and Rodriguez, despite being messy, has the tools to outwork and hurt Morono. Zane thinks Morono may have moments but will eventually get cracked.

Rodriguez opened at -190, now -201; Morono opened at +167, now +176.
"I'm still inclined to take rodriguez. It just feels like to me i've seen too many times where morono can get into a fight like this where you're like oh, yeah. No, you've got the right idea to hang with …"
LOSS vs Niko Price
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier · Jun 01, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Niko Price 0 108 of 224 48% 138 of 259 5 of 5 100% 0 1 3:37
Alex Morono 0 96 of 210 45% 111 of 225 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:56
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Niko Price 0 16 of 51 31% 21 of 58 1 of 1 100% 0 1 1:10
Alex Morono 0 34 of 72 47% 40 of 78 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:29
2 Niko Price 0 34 of 65 52% 50 of 83 3 of 3 100% 0 0 2:04
Alex Morono 0 21 of 43 48% 30 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:27
3 Niko Price 0 58 of 108 53% 67 of 118 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:23
Alex Morono 0 41 of 95 43% 41 of 95 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Niko Price 108 of 224 48% 78 of 181 24 of 33 6 of 10 78 of 182 9 of 19 21 of 23
Alex Morono 96 of 210 45% 74 of 184 13 of 15 9 of 11 91 of 204 2 of 3 3 of 3
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Niko Price 16 of 51 31% 12 of 45 4 of 5 0 of 1 14 of 47 0 of 2 2 of 2
Alex Morono 34 of 72 47% 26 of 63 4 of 4 4 of 5 32 of 70 0 of 0 2 of 2
2 Niko Price 34 of 65 52% 22 of 48 8 of 12 4 of 5 16 of 44 3 of 5 15 of 16
Alex Morono 21 of 43 48% 19 of 40 1 of 2 1 of 1 20 of 42 0 of 0 1 of 1
3 Niko Price 58 of 108 53% 44 of 88 12 of 16 2 of 4 48 of 91 6 of 12 4 of 5
Alex Morono 41 of 95 43% 29 of 81 8 of 9 4 of 5 39 of 92 2 of 3 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked May 26, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Angelo picks Alex Morono, ignoring their first fight because it was a while ago and both have evolved. He believes Morono is the more technical striker and better grappler, and that his awkward striking will avoid Niko Price's power. He notes Price is always dangerous but thinks Morono's well-roundedness will prevail.

"I think morono is just the better fighter I think he's the more technical Striker he certainly is the better Grappler"
BI
Big Brady Expert Lean picked May 31, 2024 (1 day before fight)
Alex Morono

Big Brady thinks this fight ends inside the distance with someone getting knocked out. He leans toward Alex Morono getting the knockout, citing Niko Price's shot durability and recent KO loss to Robbie Lawler. He compares it to Morono's KO of Donald Cerrone. However, he notes Price has power and a 90% finish rate, so he will play both sides. He considers Price a live dog at 7,300.

fight doesn't go to decision (-200), Alex Morono wins by knockout
"I think it's probably is marona going out there and getting The Knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked May 29, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Niko Price

Cody leans toward Price, noting his volume and power. He acknowledges Price's durability is questionable but believes Morono's low volume and lack of power make Price live. Cody mentions Price's previous KO of Morono in 2017 and thinks Price can do it again. He warns that Morono may wait for a perfect shot, but Price's pressure could overwhelm him.

"I'm gonna go with the Niko Price direction too... Price has got sickening volume... Morono is not that guy."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Hesitant picked May 28, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Niko Price

Daniel recalls Morono's struggle against Court McGee and notes Price's power. He thinks it's a dog or pass situation and picks Price to win again.

"I'm gonna go Nico price here to beat him a second time"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked May 27, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Alex Morono

The host expects a repeat of their first fight, where Morono dominated before getting caught. Price's chin is compromised after recent knockouts, and his confidence is low. Morono's stick-and-move style, power, and defensive jiu-jitsu should allow him to land big shots and finish Price, likely by knockout in the second round.

round 2 knockout
"I think we'll see morono capitalize on that... I think it's ultimately going to be a big shot on the chin that puts Nico price out here so give me Alex morono second round knockout."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked May 29, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Niko Price

Paul leans toward Price, despite acknowledging Price's durability may be fading. He notes Price has sickening volume and power, and Morono's recent performance against Court McGee was poor. Paul thinks Price can outwork Morono and possibly land a KO. He mentions Price's power is the last thing to go and that Morono may be over the hill.

"Everything in my being I know Niko Price is kind of washed but it's like how does Alex Morono lose fights? He gets knocked out... I'm tempted."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked May 27, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Alex Morono

The MMA Guru picks Alex Morono, citing Niko Price's recent chin issues and inactivity. He notes that Price has lost his last two by TKO and looked scripted against Lawler. Morono has been more active and consistent, though he didn't look great in his last fight. He predicts Morono by decision, possibly TKO.

Morono by decision
"I'm going to go with Alex morono here um morono by decision TKO maybe but I'll say decision"
WIN vs Court McGee
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2 · Apr 06, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Alex Morono 0 60 of 160 37% 78 of 184 1 of 6 16% 0 0 3:20
Court McGee 0 38 of 141 26% 42 of 149 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Alex Morono 0 22 of 52 42% 22 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Court McGee 0 12 of 50 24% 12 of 50 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Alex Morono 0 20 of 41 48% 36 of 61 0 of 2 0% 0 0 3:12
Court McGee 0 9 of 28 32% 12 of 34 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
3 Alex Morono 0 18 of 67 26% 20 of 71 1 of 4 25% 0 0 0:08
Court McGee 0 17 of 63 26% 18 of 65 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Alex Morono 60 of 160 37% 14 of 73 29 of 55 17 of 32 52 of 148 0 of 1 8 of 11
Court McGee 38 of 141 26% 26 of 118 9 of 18 3 of 5 38 of 139 0 of 2 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Alex Morono 22 of 52 42% 3 of 16 13 of 25 6 of 11 22 of 52 0 of 0 0 of 0
Court McGee 12 of 50 24% 8 of 42 2 of 6 2 of 2 12 of 50 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Alex Morono 20 of 41 48% 7 of 21 8 of 12 5 of 8 12 of 30 0 of 1 8 of 10
Court McGee 9 of 28 32% 6 of 25 3 of 3 0 of 0 9 of 28 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Alex Morono 18 of 67 26% 4 of 36 8 of 18 6 of 13 18 of 66 0 of 0 0 of 1
Court McGee 17 of 63 26% 12 of 51 4 of 9 1 of 3 17 of 61 0 of 2 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Mar 31, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Angelo picks Alex Morono because he believes Morono is a step ahead everywhere in this fight and could potentially finish an aging Court McGee. He notes that McGee relied on his work ethic and chin, but at 39, that chin is gone and hard work alone won't get wins. Morono is somewhat unreliable himself, but Angelo thinks he should be good here.

"Morono is going to be the pick"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Apr 4, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Big Brady picks Alex Morono to win by decision. He notes that Morono is six years younger, has better striking volume, and good jiu-jitsu. He believes Court McGee's durability is waning after recent knockouts, but doesn't expect a finish. He thinks Morono will be better wherever the fight goes.

win by decision
"I'm taking morono here I'm taking morono to win this fight by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Cody agrees, noting McGee's recent knockout losses to Matt Brown and Jeremiah Wells. He thinks Morono's volume and speed will be too much, and that McGee's pressure game won't work against a more technical striker. Cody also mentions Morono's competitive fight with Joaquin Buckley has aged well.

"morona kills him... I think it's Justified Chuck on Alex morono"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Apr 4, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Alex Morono to finish Court McGee in the first round. He compares McGee to past veterans Morono has stopped, like Josh Burkman and Tim Means, noting McGee is 40 and slow. Vreeland believes Morono's speed, power, and vicious intent will overwhelm McGee, and even if taken down, Morono can pop back up. He predicts a first-round knockout or submission.

first round finish
"I actually think Alex Morano gets a first round finish man."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Morono is younger, more durable, and has better striking volume and power. McGee's chin is fading after recent knockouts. Morono's defensive grappling should be enough to keep the fight standing, where he can land damaging combinations. Expect a finish in the second or third round.

Morono by KO/TKO or submission (club and sub)
"I think he knocks out or clubs and Subs McGee at some point in this matchup early going should be a little bit grindy a little bit close but as this fight starts to wear on is and as morono …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Paul is confident in Morono, citing McGee's age, declining durability, and recent knockout losses. He notes McGee's wins are over one-dimensional grapplers, while Morono has better footwork, volume, and takedown defense. Paul thinks Morono will outwork McGee and possibly knock him out, as McGee's durability is gone.

by KO
"morona kills him... don't mind Alex morono knockout one"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Apr 2, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Alex Morono

The host picks Morono based on output and commitment. He notes Morono looked amazing against Buckley and is better than Ventre. He criticizes McGee's recent losses to Matt Brown and Jeremiah Wells. He predicts neither will get a KO or dominate grappling, so Morono's higher volume will win a decision.

"I'm going to go Alex morono more committed to the game more volume on the feet and I doubt either of them get a KO over over each other"
LOSS vs Joaquin Buckley
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–26) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green · Oct 07, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Joaquin Buckley 0 40 of 141 28% 54 of 161 1 of 2 50% 0 0 0:13
Alex Morono 0 68 of 176 38% 77 of 186 2 of 4 50% 0 0 2:21
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Joaquin Buckley 0 12 of 33 36% 12 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Alex Morono 0 10 of 41 24% 14 of 45 2 of 4 50% 0 0 0:35
2 Joaquin Buckley 0 15 of 52 28% 25 of 62 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Alex Morono 0 18 of 45 40% 18 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:27
3 Joaquin Buckley 0 13 of 56 23% 17 of 64 1 of 2 50% 0 0 0:13
Alex Morono 0 40 of 90 44% 45 of 96 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:19
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Joaquin Buckley 40 of 141 28% 29 of 122 10 of 17 1 of 2 37 of 133 3 of 8 0 of 0
Alex Morono 68 of 176 38% 41 of 134 24 of 36 3 of 6 55 of 141 2 of 9 11 of 26
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Joaquin Buckley 12 of 33 36% 9 of 29 3 of 4 0 of 0 12 of 31 0 of 2 0 of 0
Alex Morono 10 of 41 24% 6 of 32 2 of 6 2 of 3 10 of 41 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Joaquin Buckley 15 of 52 28% 11 of 44 3 of 6 1 of 2 15 of 51 0 of 1 0 of 0
Alex Morono 18 of 45 40% 10 of 31 8 of 13 0 of 1 17 of 41 1 of 4 0 of 0
3 Joaquin Buckley 13 of 56 23% 9 of 49 4 of 7 0 of 0 10 of 51 3 of 5 0 of 0
Alex Morono 40 of 90 44% 25 of 71 14 of 17 1 of 2 28 of 59 1 of 5 11 of 26
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Joaquin Buckley vs. Alex Morono
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buckley (-175), Morono (+145)

Round 1
From one action fight to the next we go, as exciting welterweights Morono (23-8, 1 NC; 12-5, 1 NC UFC) and Buckley (16-6, 6-4 UFC) toe the line in search of another highlight-reel finish. Referee Kerry Hatley will have his hands full, as the match could take place anywhere and end in the blink of an eye. Buckley dances his way to the cage with Beyonce playing, while Morono goes hard with Prong. There is no glove touch to start the fight, and instead Buckley charges like a bull, throwing fists. He ends up grabbing hold of Morono’s legs. Morono pulls his limbs out and returns to striking range, and the welterweights calm down and proceed to measure one another with single blows. Buckley lands a body kick, and Morono splits the guard with a right hand. Morono ducks away from a haymaker and counters with a right hand. Morono catches his man with a right, and Buckley loads up with a right in response to put his man on rubber legs. Morono shakes out the cobwebs and bounces off the fencing, and he chambers a right hand that just misses the forehead. Buckley springs into action with an uppercut, and he spins with a back kick that ends up getting crowded by the Texan. Morono drives a straight right hand after following a jab, and the power punch in response from Buckley grazes off the side of his noggin. Buckley blitzes with a few punches, and Morono is able to parry or avoid them all. A second surge from “New Mansa” also misses the mark each and every time, but Morono does not make him pay for these reckless attacks and instead allows Buckley to hit air. Buckley leaps at him with a knee extended, but Morono is nowhere to be found. Morono hand-fights until putting a right hand on the jaw, and Buckley races after him and tags him right back. Buckley attempts to spin, and Morono’s safe distance disallows it from succeeding. From out of nowhere, Buckley runs at his foe and lifts him off the ground with a double. Morono hits his back and defends with an armbar, and Buckley wriggles his arm out and backs off to escape the guard before upkicks or other submission attempts find him. Buckley lifts him up again, and Morono latches onto a guillotine choke. Buckley ends up slamming Morono down hard to break up the submission, and the energetic round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley

Round 2
At the beginning of the round, Buckley is not quite as wild as before, instead lining up a head kick. The Texan counters him with a picture-perfect right hand that sends Buckley flying, and Buckley scrambles back to his feet. Morono allows him to reset so that he can further trade with his opponent, and Buckley aims a few strikes to the body. Morono looks for a high kick that is feet away from the target, and he leans back from a pair of looping hooks that whiz at him. Buckley lumbers forward and suddenly unloads a few huge hooks, and Morono is out of range in time. Morono aims a front kick down the middle when he expected Buckley will come at him, but Buckley does not bite. Buckley kicks the body, and Morono responds with a kick that slaps him in the posterior and makes Buckley grin. Buckley explodes into a combination that is largely blocked and defended by the Fortis MMA fighter, and when he backs off to measure his man, he drills Morono in the ribs with a stern kick. Morono flicks out a number of jabs, and he leans and ducks a punch so that he can catch Buckley with a right hook on the side of the head. Morono measures and releases a head kick that pounds into the guard, and Buckley kicks him in the body again. Buckley tries to corner his foe with a flurry of punches, but Morono will not have it and backs Buckley off. Buckley whiffs on a kick but lands with a body shot, and he ducks a spinning back fist just in the nick of time. Morono strings a few punches together, gets clipped, and responds with a right. Buckley continues to target the body and head indiscriminately in attacks, keeping Morono guessing and not allowing a pattern to emerge. Buckley digs a left to the body and aims a right over the top, but it is a charging left hook when Morono dodges him that catches Morono. Buckley rushes at his man to jam him up against the fencing, and they trade knees before separating at the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley

Round 3
The welterweights meet in the middle, and Buckley leads the dance with a series of punches. Commentator Daniel Cormier starts barking when saying that the fighters “need to bring the dog out,” and Buckley lashes out with power strikes that finally find their home cleanly. A left hand from “New Mansa” busts Morono’s lip, and blood immediately trickles out of his mouth. Morono aims counters, but Buckley appears slightly fresher and able to beat his foe to the punch. Buckley runs forward with a looping left hook, and he slams his right fist into the body. Morono backs him off with a front kick, and the kick rams into his cup. Buckley waves off Hatley and does not want to allow Morono to recover. Morono eats several clean shots, and he is taking damage and trying to back off to survive. Buckley lays into him with a number of unanswered body shots and a few to the head, and Morono hits nothing but air when he replies with a right hand. Buckley spins with a wheel kick, and Morono tackles him to the ground. Buckley bursts back to his feet after only a few seconds on his back, and he smashes Morono in the face with a left hand. Buckley hammers his foe with a number of punches to the body and head, and Morono is leaning against the fence and struggling to stay on his feet. Morono shoots desperately for a takedown, and it is a feeble attempt as he falls to his knees. Buckley lets him stand up so that he can punch the Texan in the face again and again. Morono takes a deep breath and starts firing back, but it is a takedown shot that he goes for a full-throated effort. Buckley stonewalls him and pushes Morono to his back, and he lowers himself into the guard to drop down some heavy ground-and-pound. Morono maintains a high guard, and Buckley opens up with several right hands until Morono adjusts. Buckley keeps tightly pressed to “The Great White” to not allow Morono to latch on with a submission, and he sneaks in some ground strikes when he finds openings. Buckley stands up, and lets Morono up with 15 seconds to spare. Morono meanders forward, and he throws everything into one final right hand that ultimately misses and sends him toppling to the mat. Morono rolls to his back, and Buckley returns to the guard to do a little more damage before the final horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Buckley (30-26 Buckley)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (30-27 Buckley)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (30-27 Buckley)

The Official Result
Joaquin Buckley def. Alex Morono via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Sep 29, 2023 (8 days before fight)
Joaquin Buckley

Angelo picks Joaquin Buckley because he is the much better striker with more power, speed, and technique. He notes that Alex Morono is well-rounded and underrated but has low takedown accuracy (20%), so he cannot trust him to wrestle. Buckley has decent takedown defense and has faced good wrestlers. Angelo plans to avoid betting on this fight.

"waim Buckley is going to be the pick he's the more dangerous Striker decent takedown defense"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Oct 3, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Joaquin Buckley

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley, emphasizing Buckley's significant power advantage over Alex Morono. He notes that Morono is more of a decision fighter and has been hurt more often recently. He expects the fight to stay standing and that Buckley will eventually land a big shot, predicting a third-round knockout.

third round knockout for Joaquin Buckley
"give me Buckley to win this fight I'll take Buckley to win this fight by third round knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Oct 4, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Joaquin Buckley

Cody picks Buckley, citing his speed, athleticism, and ability to land the more impactful strikes. He notes that Morono has taken a lot of damage recently and may be hesitant. Buckley's takedowns and movement should allow him to win rounds, though Cody acknowledges Buckley's history of getting knocked out.

"I am gonna go yokine Buckley... I recognize this as live Underdog potential... but ultimately I do think that Buckley's... rounding out his game"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Oct 4, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Joaquin Buckley

Daniel Levi picks Joaquin Buckley, citing his superior speed, athleticism, and hand speed. He notes that both fighters have suspect chins but Buckley is the better athlete and is dropping to his proper weight class at 170. He expects Buckley's speed and explosiveness to be the difference, though he acknowledges a chance someone gets knocked out.

"I'm going with Buckley in this fight and I do think there's a chance someone hits the deck here"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Oct 7, 2023 (fight day)
Joaquin Buckley

Lucrative James picks Buckley by knockout in round two or three. He thinks Morono will be winning early but Buckley will figure out his awkwardness and land heavy shots. He compares it to the Ponzinibbio fight where Morono kept getting caught. He likes over 1.5 rounds as well.

over 1.5 rounds
"I think Buckley's gonna get around two or three knockout"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Oct 6, 2023 (1 day before fight)
Joaquin Buckley

Buckley has the power and agility to catch Morono in pocket exchanges. Morono is durable but leaves openings and has been knocked out before. Buckley should land a big shot and finish him. Morono may win minutes but Buckley's power is the difference. Expect a knockout victory for Buckley.

knockout
"I think Buckley catches him and I think Buckley puts him away give me Buckley by knock out"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Oct 4, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Joaquin Buckley

Paul picks Buckley, expecting a close fight that goes to decision with Buckley landing the more damaging strikes. He notes that both fighters are similar in size, which favors Buckley. Paul mentions that Morono has a questionable chin but hasn't been knocked out recently, so he leans toward Buckley by decision.

Buckley by decision, Over 36.5 significant strikes for Buckley
"Buckley's a pick for me as well... if I was chasing a prop it would probably be Buckley by decision"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Oct 1, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Joaquin Buckley

The MMA Guru picks Joaquin Buckley over Alex Morono, predicting a TKO in the second round. He believes Buckley's intention to take Morono's head off will be the difference, as Morono tries to outpoint to a decision. He notes Morono was doing well against Ponzinibbio until he got knocked out in round three, and that Morono's wins haven't aged well. He also mentions Buckley's size and reach advantage.

TKO second round
"I'm going Joaquin Buckley over Alex morono"
WIN vs Tim Means
Submission (guillotine choke) R2 2:09 · UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida · May 13, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Alex Morono 0 40 of 87 45% 45 of 92 2 of 2 100% 0 0 0:46
Tim Means 0 33 of 92 35% 42 of 102 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Alex Morono 0 32 of 64 50% 34 of 66 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:27
Tim Means 0 18 of 58 31% 27 of 68 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Alex Morono 0 8 of 23 34% 11 of 26 2 of 2 100% 0 0 0:19
Tim Means 0 15 of 34 44% 15 of 34 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Alex Morono 40 of 87 45% 16 of 52 18 of 29 6 of 6 30 of 74 10 of 13 0 of 0
Tim Means 33 of 92 35% 29 of 86 4 of 6 0 of 0 31 of 86 2 of 6 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Alex Morono 32 of 64 50% 10 of 32 16 of 26 6 of 6 23 of 52 9 of 12 0 of 0
Tim Means 18 of 58 31% 16 of 55 2 of 3 0 of 0 16 of 52 2 of 6 0 of 0
2 Alex Morono 8 of 23 34% 6 of 20 2 of 3 0 of 0 7 of 22 1 of 1 0 of 0
Tim Means 15 of 34 44% 13 of 31 2 of 3 0 of 0 15 of 34 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked May 7, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Angelo leans on Morono, noting his clean striking and recent improvements. He says Tim Means is gritty and well-rounded, and that unless you're ranked or dangerous, you shouldn't be a 2-to-1 favorite over Means. He calls it a close fight and is not betting on it.

"I am gonna lean on him for the pick here but holy crap is this a close fight"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked May 8, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Big Brady is a huge Tim Means fan but has serious concerns about Means' durability at 39 years old and after 48 fights. He notes Means has been getting dropped and finished recently, and questions his focus as he seems more into coaching. Brady compares this to the Morono vs. Cerrone fight, predicting Morono will land a big shot, swarm, and finish Means. He picks Morono by second-round knockout and suggests Means may retire after this fight.

second round knockout
"give me Alex marona to win this fight I'll say he wins this fight by second round knockout I think he knocks out Tim Means on Saturday"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked May 10, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Cody picks Morono, citing Tim Means' age (39) and 50 pro fights, leading to durability and speed decline. He notes Means' tendency to gas after the first round and Morono's volume and pressure. He expects Morono to chew away at Means and possibly get a late stoppage. He acknowledges Means' skill but believes his best days are behind him.

"I'm just doubting it on a personal level so we'll take Alex morono to get the job done which pains me because we've been doing this show for like nine years and we've been covering Tim Means fights pretty much …"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked May 11, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Connor picks Morono, agreeing that Means is past his prime and gets hurt too often. He highlights Morono's lateral movement, jab, and counter-punching, which will frustrate Means. He thinks Means will have moments but ultimately lose a decision or get dropped.

"I got to take Morono, even if it's by decision, I think it's much more likely that Tim Means gets dropped in a couple of rounds."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Lean picked May 11, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Daniel Levi picks Alex Morono but with low confidence, citing Tim Means' age (39-40) and declining durability as the deciding factor. He notes that statistically, Means is competitive and would be a live dog if younger, but Means' recent fights show he can't take damage like before. Levi expects a competitive fight but favors Morono's unorthodox style and durability. He passes on betting due to the price, calling it a dog-or-pass situation.

pass on betting at -225; fight could go to decision or be a war
"I'm gonna pick Alex Morano but it's not a confident pick and it's not something I'm interested it's a dog or pass situation"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked May 8, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Morono's pressure, pace, and volume will be too much for Means, who has diminished durability at 39. Means is the better technical striker but can't take shots like before. Morono will march forward, land big shots, and likely find a knockout or submission. Means may have moments but Morono's relentless style will overwhelm him.

inside the distance, TKO
"gimme Alex morono inside the distance I'm gonna call it via TKO"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked May 10, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Paul agrees with Cody, picking Morono. He notes that Means gasses after 6-7 minutes and lacks a grappling game. He mentions that Morono might mix in takedowns and fish for a submission, and that the market has moved on that prop. He sees Morono as the rightful favorite.

submission prop (market moved from 9-1 to 6.5-1)
"my biggest struggle yeah I just I just can't get behind the dirty bird at this point he seems to really absolutely guess about six seven minutes into every single fight"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked May 9, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Alex Morono

The MMA Guru picks Alex Morono, noting that he had a full training camp and has better hand speed and cardio. He believes Tim Means has slowed down and will struggle with Morono's pace. He predicts a dominant decision or a late finish.

dominant decision win 30-27
"Alex morono I think is going to win this matchup... I see him getting finished on the feet maybe as the fight goes on or maybe there'll be a dominant decision win for morono here 30 27."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked May 11, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Zane picks Morono, citing Tim Means' age (39) and tendency to get hurt now. He notes that Means' pressure-counter style leaves him vulnerable, and Morono's awkward but effective striking, good footwork, and jab will cause problems. He thinks Morono will land a big counter and potentially drop Means, though a decision is likely.

"I got to take Morono, even if it's by decision, I think it's much more likely that Tim Means gets dropped in a couple of rounds."
KO (punches) R3 2:29 · UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev · Dec 10, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Santiago Ponzinibbio 1 66 of 155 42% 66 of 155 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:01
Alex Morono 1 38 of 131 29% 38 of 131 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:08
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Santiago Ponzinibbio 0 22 of 42 52% 22 of 42 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Alex Morono 1 17 of 55 30% 17 of 55 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:08
2 Santiago Ponzinibbio 0 26 of 73 35% 26 of 73 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Alex Morono 0 13 of 50 26% 13 of 50 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Santiago Ponzinibbio 1 18 of 40 45% 18 of 40 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Alex Morono 0 8 of 26 30% 8 of 26 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Santiago Ponzinibbio 66 of 155 42% 31 of 99 26 of 47 9 of 9 65 of 153 0 of 0 1 of 2
Alex Morono 38 of 131 29% 34 of 120 4 of 11 0 of 0 34 of 124 0 of 0 4 of 7
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Santiago Ponzinibbio 22 of 42 52% 6 of 19 11 of 18 5 of 5 22 of 42 0 of 0 0 of 0
Alex Morono 17 of 55 30% 14 of 51 3 of 4 0 of 0 13 of 48 0 of 0 4 of 7
2 Santiago Ponzinibbio 26 of 73 35% 12 of 48 12 of 23 2 of 2 26 of 73 0 of 0 0 of 0
Alex Morono 13 of 50 26% 12 of 45 1 of 5 0 of 0 13 of 50 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Santiago Ponzinibbio 18 of 40 45% 13 of 32 3 of 6 2 of 2 17 of 38 0 of 0 1 of 2
Alex Morono 8 of 26 30% 8 of 24 0 of 2 0 of 0 8 of 26 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Dec 4, 2022 (6 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Angelo picks Ponzinibbio, noting his clean striking, range control, and volume. He warns that Ponzinibbio must avoid Lawler's power and treat him with respect. He believes Ponzinibbio can get a finish if he maintains a high pace like Barbarena did. He acknowledges Lawler is dangerous even at 40 but thinks Ponzinibbio's technical approach will win.

"ponzanibio is the pick but avoid the power do what you do stay technical use the range pour on some volume"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Dec 7, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Big Brady picks Santiago Ponzinibbio, but is not confident in the price. He notes Ponzinibbio has lost a step but still competes at a high level, while Morono is a short-notice replacement. He expects a close fight that goes to decision, with Ponzinibbio outpointing Morono.

Ponzinibbio wins by decision; fight goes to decision
"I'm gonna take pawns and maybe to win I'm gonna take him to win by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Dec 7, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Cody picks Ponzinibbio, citing his volume striking, footwork, and ability to absorb damage. He notes Ponzinibbio has been competitive against high-level guys despite recent split decision losses. He thinks Morono is a 50/50 fighter who fights to his opponent's level and is taking the fight on short notice. He expects Ponzinibbio to win by decision.

Ponzinibbio by decision
"I would have to say that pausing Ebu just goes there and works morono over... I do have him winning by decision more specifically"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Dec 8, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Connor picks Ponzinibbio, citing his full camp, powerful straight punches, and low kicks. He notes Morono is a short-notice replacement and lacks the athleticism to handle Ponzinibbio's sustained offense. Connor believes Ponzinibbio's persistence and power will overwhelm Morono, who tends to put himself in danger.

Odds: Morono opened +220, dropped to +151; Ponzinibbio opened -260, now -182.
"I still think I'm going to have to take him for having a full camp. Ponsinibio style doesn't really change ever from opponent to opponent."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Hesitant picked Dec 6, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Daniel Levi picks Santiago Ponzinibbio but with low confidence due to Ponzinibbio's diminished form after a health scare. He praises Ponzinibbio's prime style: stalking footwork, calf kicks, and a beautiful straight right. However, he notes Ponzinibbio is a step slower now and has gone 1-3 in his last four. Levi acknowledges Morono's toughness and awkward brawling style, but believes Ponzinibbio's cleaner striking and experience should carry him. He warns not to be surprised if Morono wins.

"I still think he gets it done but you just can't act surprised if he doesn't"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Dec 9, 2022 (1 day before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Lock likes Ponzinibbio to win, believing he will torch Morono from the jump and eventually knock him out. He sees Morono as a plodding forward fighter whose durability holds up some nights but not against Ponzinibbio's striking. From a long-term perspective, he thinks Ponzinibbio will get a decent bump but will lose against higher-level competition. He recommends a pump and dump on Ponzinibbio this weekend.

pump and dump on PredictionStrike
"pumping up this weekend on panzanibio I'd say I don't mind it I don't mind that one bit"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Dec 7, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Paul agrees with Cody, picking Ponzinibbio. He notes that Ponzinibbio has been preparing for this fight for a long time while Morono is on short notice. He thinks the minus 180 line is fair and is surprised it's not higher given the circumstances. He sees Ponzinibbio's experience and preparation as key factors.

"I'm with you I'm gonna take uh ponzanibio as well minus 180 seems relatively Fair too to be perfectly honest so I'm a little bit surprised by that number particularly with Alex morono coming in on short notice"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Dec 5, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

The MMA Guru picks Santiago Ponzinibbio over Robbie Lawler (note: transcript says Lawler but fight is Ponzinibbio vs Morono; likely error). He believes Ponzinibbio will jab Lawler's face off and win by TKO in round two or three. He criticizes Lawler's age and recent performances, and thinks Ponzinibbio's range striking will be too much.

"I'm gonna be going with Santiago ponz nibio over Robbie Lawler"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Dec 8, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Zane picks Ponzinibbio, emphasizing his ability to rally back in fights and his power. He notes Morono's grit but says Ponzinibbio's sustained offense and punching power are a level above Morono's recent opponents. Zane is concerned about Morono's short notice but trusts Ponzinibbio's experience.

Odds: Morono opened +220, now +151; Ponzinibbio opened -260, now -182.
"I'm going to pick Santiago Ponson to be out here. I just think that despite even beyond the short notice Ponson to be Oh getting put away early by Legion, the longest concern, but the way he's rallied back against …"
Court McGee - Fight History
LOSS vs Michael Chiesa
Decision R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Usman vs. Buckley · Jun 14, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Michael Chiesa 0 72 of 160 45% 81 of 169 0 of 2 0% 0 0 1:32
Court McGee 0 39 of 145 26% 51 of 158 0 of 6 0% 0 0 0:45
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Michael Chiesa 0 15 of 45 33% 15 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Court McGee 0 10 of 41 24% 11 of 42 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
2 Michael Chiesa 0 24 of 57 42% 25 of 58 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:21
Court McGee 0 17 of 58 29% 20 of 62 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:00
3 Michael Chiesa 0 33 of 58 56% 41 of 66 0 of 2 0% 0 0 1:11
Court McGee 0 12 of 46 26% 20 of 54 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:45
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Michael Chiesa 72 of 160 45% 47 of 128 25 of 32 0 of 0 52 of 132 20 of 28 0 of 0
Court McGee 39 of 145 26% 9 of 95 16 of 29 14 of 21 36 of 140 3 of 5 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Michael Chiesa 15 of 45 33% 15 of 41 0 of 4 0 of 0 15 of 43 0 of 2 0 of 0
Court McGee 10 of 41 24% 2 of 27 6 of 9 2 of 5 9 of 39 1 of 2 0 of 0
2 Michael Chiesa 24 of 57 42% 20 of 53 4 of 4 0 of 0 21 of 53 3 of 4 0 of 0
Court McGee 17 of 58 29% 4 of 39 4 of 9 9 of 10 16 of 56 1 of 2 0 of 0
3 Michael Chiesa 33 of 58 56% 12 of 34 21 of 24 0 of 0 16 of 36 17 of 22 0 of 0
Court McGee 12 of 46 26% 3 of 29 6 of 11 3 of 6 11 of 45 1 of 1 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Jun 8, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Court McGee

Angelo leans Court McGee because he is all-in on fighting while Chiesa has outside distractions. He notes that McGee looked great in his last fight and is durable. He believes whoever gets the first takedown wins, and McGee is strong enough to avoid submissions.

plus three and a half
"I'm going to go out on a limb and I'm going to pick him here."
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Jun 10, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Michael Chiesa

Big Brady picks Michael Chiesa by decision but is hesitant, noting that Court McGee has great takedown defense and has fought tough grapplers. He believes Chiesa has a little left in the tank while McGee is older and has been knocked out recently. He expects a competitive fight despite the wide line.

"I'm going to go Kesa here to win by decision but I just feel like it could be a little bit more competitive than the massive favorite line does indicate."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Jun 13, 2025 (1 day before fight)
Michael Chiesa

Connor believes Chiesa is a much higher-level fighter than McGee, with more dynamic offense and a variety of ways to finish. He expects Chiesa to use his speed and size advantage to outscramble McGee, despite Chiesa's susceptibility to submissions. Connor notes that McGee's submission threat is low, as he hasn't submitted anyone since 2010.

"I expect that he will just be physically overpowering and obviously faster and bigger than court McGee."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Jun 12, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Michael Chiesa

Chiesa's superior grappling will keep McGee in bad spots, likely snatching the back and grinding out a decision win.

"I have to lean with Kiesta here as I think his grappling will be superior..."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jun 13, 2025 (1 day before fight)
Michael Chiesa

The Guru picks Michael Chiesa by submission, noting Chiesa has been given favorable matchups recently (Tony Ferguson, Max Griffin). He expects Chiesa to take McGee down and get a submission in the first or second round, citing McGee's age (mid-40s) and Chiesa's back-take game.

Michael Chiesa by submission, round 1 or 2
"I'm going to take Michael Kasa to win this fight by submission. Um, I don't know who Michael Kasa has been nice to behind the scenes in the UFC to be getting all of these types of matchups when it …"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Jun 13, 2025 (1 day before fight)
Michael Chiesa

Zane agrees that Chiesa should win, citing that Chiesa has beaten a much higher level of opponent throughout his career. He notes that McGee is a slow, loopy striker who can be outwrestled by a faster, more dynamic fighter like Chiesa. Zane thinks Chiesa's wrestling and scrambling will be key.

"It's just, he's beat a higher level of opponent his whole career."
WIN vs Tim Means
Submission (neck crank) R1 3:19 · UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. · Oct 05, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Court McGee 0 14 of 24 58% 19 of 35 1 of 1 100% 1 0 1:58
Tim Means 0 5 of 13 38% 12 of 20 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Court McGee 0 14 of 24 58% 19 of 35 1 of 1 100% 1 0 1:58
Tim Means 0 5 of 13 38% 12 of 20 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Court McGee 14 of 24 58% 9 of 18 3 of 4 2 of 2 14 of 22 0 of 2 0 of 0
Tim Means 5 of 13 38% 2 of 9 2 of 3 1 of 1 5 of 13 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Court McGee 14 of 24 58% 9 of 18 3 of 4 2 of 2 14 of 22 0 of 2 0 of 0
Tim Means 5 of 13 38% 2 of 9 2 of 3 1 of 1 5 of 13 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Sep 29, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Court McGee

Angelo picks Court McGee, believing the fight is 50-50 and McGee's wrestling and pressure can be the difference. He notes Tim Means is a 2-to-1 favorite, which he considers unjustified given both fighters are old and worn. He placed a small bet on McGee at +195.

Bet 0.25 units on Court McGee at +195
"I'm leaning court court is going to be the pick... I threw a quarter of a unit on him at plus 195"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Oct 3, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Tim Means

Big Brady is hesitant on this fight, noting that both fighters are veterans and he doesn't trust either. He leans towards Tim Means because he believes Means still has a little left in the tank, while Court McGee hasn't had a finish since 2010 and has been losing to lower-level competition. He expects McGee to attempt takedowns but thinks Means will do better work on the feet and win a decision.

"I just feel like Tim Means is has just a little little bit left in the gas tank at at this at this point of time so I think it's going to be close it's probably going to be greasy …"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Oct 2, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Cody picks McGee, citing his home-field advantage in Utah and cardio. He notes Means' tendency to gas and get submitted. He believes McGee can outlast Means and possibly win by submission.

Court McGee by submission
"it's me and mgee as well brother"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Lean picked Oct 4, 2024 (1 day before fight)
Tim Means

Connor picks Means based on sentiment, acknowledging it's not a sound analysis. He notes that Means is old and has lost speed, but Court McGee is not a powerful striker and Means' craft might be enough. He wants Means to go out on a win.

"I'm going to pick Tim Means simply because I adore him. And I would like this to be his last fight. And I would like him to go out on a win."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Oct 1, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Tim Means

Daniel Vreeland picks Tim Means, citing his slick striking and improved wrestling. He notes that Court McGee has slowed down drastically and was nearly beaten by Alex Morono. Vreeland expects Means to knock out McGee, though he is hesitant to lay heavy chalk on a fighter who has lost four of his last five.

"I like the Slicker striking style of Tim me his wrestling's gotten a lot better I think he's got a good chance to come out here and knock out Court McGee"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Oct 4, 2024 (1 day before fight)
Tim Means

The host believes Tim Means is the better overall fighter and will utilize his clinch with knees and elbows, as well as distance striking with kicks and long-range weapons, to pick apart Court McGee. He expects Means to win on the scorecards, noting that McGee lacks significant knockout power.

"I do think that means is the better overall fighter in this spot and I don't think he'll have too much knockout power to worry about on the McGee side"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Oct 2, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Paul picks McGee, emphasizing his durability and wrestling. He thinks McGee can mix in takedowns and control the fight. He sees value at plus 170 and expects a close decision or late finish.

"McGee for me"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Oct 1, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Court McGee

The MMA Guru picks Court McGee over Tim Means, citing McGee's training at altitude in Utah as a key advantage. He notes both fighters are past their prime but believes McGee is less finishable and will employ a boring cage control game, failing takedowns but winning the pressure game. He predicts a decision victory for McGee, as neither fighter is likely to finish early.

"I'm going to say Court McGee wins this one by decision and I'm pretty confident in it."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked Oct 4, 2024 (1 day before fight)
Tim Means

Zane also picks Means for sentimental reasons, calling himself a long-time Dirty Bird fan. He acknowledges that Means has lost a step but notes that McGee is not a dangerous striker and Means' experience might carry him. He admits it's not a pick based on sound analysis.

"I'm going to rise with Tim Means just for us. Long time Dirty Bird fans."
LOSS vs Alex Morono
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2 · Apr 06, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Alex Morono 0 60 of 160 37% 78 of 184 1 of 6 16% 0 0 3:20
Court McGee 0 38 of 141 26% 42 of 149 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Alex Morono 0 22 of 52 42% 22 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Court McGee 0 12 of 50 24% 12 of 50 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Alex Morono 0 20 of 41 48% 36 of 61 0 of 2 0% 0 0 3:12
Court McGee 0 9 of 28 32% 12 of 34 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
3 Alex Morono 0 18 of 67 26% 20 of 71 1 of 4 25% 0 0 0:08
Court McGee 0 17 of 63 26% 18 of 65 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Alex Morono 60 of 160 37% 14 of 73 29 of 55 17 of 32 52 of 148 0 of 1 8 of 11
Court McGee 38 of 141 26% 26 of 118 9 of 18 3 of 5 38 of 139 0 of 2 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Alex Morono 22 of 52 42% 3 of 16 13 of 25 6 of 11 22 of 52 0 of 0 0 of 0
Court McGee 12 of 50 24% 8 of 42 2 of 6 2 of 2 12 of 50 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Alex Morono 20 of 41 48% 7 of 21 8 of 12 5 of 8 12 of 30 0 of 1 8 of 10
Court McGee 9 of 28 32% 6 of 25 3 of 3 0 of 0 9 of 28 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Alex Morono 18 of 67 26% 4 of 36 8 of 18 6 of 13 18 of 66 0 of 0 0 of 1
Court McGee 17 of 63 26% 12 of 51 4 of 9 1 of 3 17 of 61 0 of 2 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Mar 31, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Angelo picks Alex Morono because he believes Morono is a step ahead everywhere in this fight and could potentially finish an aging Court McGee. He notes that McGee relied on his work ethic and chin, but at 39, that chin is gone and hard work alone won't get wins. Morono is somewhat unreliable himself, but Angelo thinks he should be good here.

"Morono is going to be the pick"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Apr 4, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Big Brady picks Alex Morono to win by decision. He notes that Morono is six years younger, has better striking volume, and good jiu-jitsu. He believes Court McGee's durability is waning after recent knockouts, but doesn't expect a finish. He thinks Morono will be better wherever the fight goes.

win by decision
"I'm taking morono here I'm taking morono to win this fight by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Cody agrees, noting McGee's recent knockout losses to Matt Brown and Jeremiah Wells. He thinks Morono's volume and speed will be too much, and that McGee's pressure game won't work against a more technical striker. Cody also mentions Morono's competitive fight with Joaquin Buckley has aged well.

"morona kills him... I think it's Justified Chuck on Alex morono"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Apr 4, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Alex Morono to finish Court McGee in the first round. He compares McGee to past veterans Morono has stopped, like Josh Burkman and Tim Means, noting McGee is 40 and slow. Vreeland believes Morono's speed, power, and vicious intent will overwhelm McGee, and even if taken down, Morono can pop back up. He predicts a first-round knockout or submission.

first round finish
"I actually think Alex Morano gets a first round finish man."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Morono is younger, more durable, and has better striking volume and power. McGee's chin is fading after recent knockouts. Morono's defensive grappling should be enough to keep the fight standing, where he can land damaging combinations. Expect a finish in the second or third round.

Morono by KO/TKO or submission (club and sub)
"I think he knocks out or clubs and Subs McGee at some point in this matchup early going should be a little bit grindy a little bit close but as this fight starts to wear on is and as morono …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Paul is confident in Morono, citing McGee's age, declining durability, and recent knockout losses. He notes McGee's wins are over one-dimensional grapplers, while Morono has better footwork, volume, and takedown defense. Paul thinks Morono will outwork McGee and possibly knock him out, as McGee's durability is gone.

by KO
"morona kills him... don't mind Alex morono knockout one"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Apr 2, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Alex Morono

The host picks Morono based on output and commitment. He notes Morono looked amazing against Buckley and is better than Ventre. He criticizes McGee's recent losses to Matt Brown and Jeremiah Wells. He predicts neither will get a KO or dominate grappling, so Morono's higher volume will win a decision.

"I'm going to go Alex morono more committed to the game more volume on the feet and I doubt either of them get a KO over over each other"
LOSS vs Matt Brown
KO (punch) R1 4:09 · UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida · May 13, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Matt Brown 1 11 of 15 73% 22 of 26 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Court McGee 0 8 of 31 25% 17 of 48 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:57
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Matt Brown 1 11 of 15 73% 22 of 26 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Court McGee 0 8 of 31 25% 17 of 48 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:57
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Matt Brown 11 of 15 73% 2 of 4 3 of 4 6 of 7 10 of 14 1 of 1 0 of 0
Court McGee 8 of 31 25% 2 of 21 2 of 5 4 of 5 6 of 29 2 of 2 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Matt Brown 11 of 15 73% 2 of 4 3 of 4 6 of 7 10 of 14 1 of 1 0 of 0
Court McGee 8 of 31 25% 2 of 21 2 of 5 4 of 5 6 of 29 2 of 2 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked May 7, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Matt Brown

Angelo picks Matt Brown, saying he thinks Brown will be the more durable of the two. He notes Court McGee is coming off a bad knockout loss and his chin is a question. He acknowledges the line movement tracker shows McGee went from +140 to -180 favorite, and that trend has been 7-1, but he goes against it. He is not betting on this fight.

"I'm still going to lean Matt Brown I'm gonna go against that Trend there but no bet absolutely no bet"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked May 8, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Court McGee

Big Brady picks Court McGee but expresses distrust after McGee's fight against Condit where he didn't attempt a single takedown. He believes if McGee uses the right game plan—wrestling and taking down Matt Brown—he should win easily. Brady notes Brown is 42 with poor takedown defense and cardio, and McGee has better cardio and wrestling. He predicts a third-round submission, but says he can't fully trust McGee after the Condit fight.

third round submission
"I'll say he does do that I'll say he goes out there takes down Matt Brown rents the repeat and grinds this guy across three rounds maybe even a late finish could be on the table here"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked May 10, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Cody picks McGee, citing his better gas tank and durability. He notes that Brown's chin and reflexes have declined with age, and that McGee's kickboxing is good enough to compete. He expects McGee to wrestle and control the fight, especially in later rounds. He mentions the 'died and came back' theory for cardio.

"I got to go with the durability and the cardio which both still favor Court McGee so I too will take Court McGee but uh it's an old man Legends fight which I am so down for"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Lean picked May 11, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Court McGee

Connor leans toward Court McGee, acknowledging that Matt Brown could knock him out early but that McGee's durability and pace are likely to carry him. He notes that Brown's endurance has declined and that McGee's grinding style is antithetical to Brown's current capabilities. Connor expects McGee to win by decision, as Brown's recent fights show he fades.

"I think I just have to lean McGee, like sure. Matt Brown could knock him out in the first round, right?"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Lean picked May 11, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Matt Brown

Daniel Levi picks Matt Brown, admitting bias as he will attend the fight and is a fan. He believes Brown is historically the better fighter, having reached number five in the welterweight rankings, while McGee never cracked the top 15. However, he acknowledges Brown's age (42) and cardio issues, which could allow McGee to push the pace and mix in takedowns. Levi hopes Brown gets a knockout to tie the UFC record, but notes the pick is not based on a betting edge.

Brown by KO to tie UFC knockout record; no bet placed
"I'm gonna pick Matt Brown uh just because historically speaking I think he wins this fight"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked May 8, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Court McGee

McGee has a cardio and pace advantage over the aging Brown. He will tie Brown up, use footwork to avoid big shots, and weaponize his cardio to take over in the later rounds. Brown has slowed down in recent fights and his wrestling may not be effective against McGee. McGee will grind out a decision victory.

"I think Court McGee will do a good job of tying him up using his but you know footwork and bicycle to get out of the way of these big shots of Matt Brown"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked May 10, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Paul picks McGee, emphasizing his wrestling and cardio advantage. He notes that McGee can make the fight easy by sticking to takedowns and controlling Brown. He added McGee to a chalk parlay. He acknowledges the possibility of a 'gentleman's agreement' striking affair but believes McGee's grappling is the key.

added to parlay with Garry and Ulberg
"I think Court McGee can make this fight very easy on himself by sticking to the wrestling getting up in Matt Brown's face and getting takedowns and securing them and holding in position"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked May 9, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Matt Brown

The MMA Guru picks Matt Brown, citing his better recent performances and the fact that Court McGee is coming off a brutal KO loss. He believes Brown's toughness and aggression will be too much, predicting a KO in the second or third round.

KO in the second or third round
"I'm actually going to pick Matt Brown by KO in the second or third round here against Court mcgear"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked May 11, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Court McGee

Zane picks Court McGee because he believes McGee's pace and grinding style will overwhelm Matt Brown, who fades as fights progress. He notes that Brown is still dangerous early but lacks the endurance to keep up with McGee's constant pressure and wrestling. Zane expects McGee to win a decision, as Brown's recent losses show he slows down significantly.

"I guess I'll take court McGee just cause one round of chance from exactly."
LOSS vs Jeremiah Wells
KO (punch) R1 1:34 · UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett · Jun 18, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Jeremiah Wells 0 3 of 8 37% 3 of 8 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Court McGee 1 7 of 16 43% 7 of 16 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Jeremiah Wells 0 3 of 8 37% 3 of 8 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Court McGee 1 7 of 16 43% 7 of 16 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Jeremiah Wells 3 of 8 37% 0 of 4 2 of 3 1 of 1 3 of 8 0 of 0 0 of 0
Court McGee 7 of 16 43% 7 of 16 0 of 0 0 of 0 5 of 14 0 of 0 2 of 2
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Jeremiah Wells 3 of 8 37% 0 of 4 2 of 3 1 of 1 3 of 8 0 of 0 0 of 0
Court McGee 7 of 16 43% 7 of 16 0 of 0 0 of 0 5 of 14 0 of 0 2 of 2
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Court McGee vs. Jeremiah Wells
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: McGee (-120), Wells (+100)

Round 1
Even though UFC experience and fight mileage both weigh heavily on “The Crusher” McGee (21-10, 10-9 UFC), he will come into this matchup on his first UFC win streak since 2013. The Utah native will clock in only two years the elder of Wells (10-2-1, 2-0 UFC), who surges into this contest on the heels of four finishes in two rounds or less. Referee Herb Dean might have his hands full for this one, as Wells is darting back and forth and does not engage to touch gloves. Instead, Wells shifts laterally back and forth, and McGee reaches out towards him with a jab to the chest. Wells keeps his range and switches stances constantly, lulling McGee into a rhythm. “The Crusher” simply remains calm and lands a heavy leg kick, and he blocks high when Wells crashes towards him with punches. Wells throws himself off-balance when swinging at him, and McGee blocks the blows and splits the guard with a one-two in response. Wells jumps forward to attack, and he pushes out a jab and a right that comes up short.
The Pennsylvania follows up with a left hook that connects right on the button, and McGee is out cold as he falls with his limbs frozen in rigor mortis down to the canvas. The back of McGee’s head collides with the mat, and when it does, Wells follows him down with two brutal punches, which are all that land until Dean can sprint across the cage to break them up and pull Wells off.
There’s something in the water here today in Austin, as Wells practically did the unthinkable by cleanly knocking McGee all the way out.

The Official Result
Jeremiah Wells def. Court McGee R1 1:34 via KO (Punch)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jun 12, 2022 (6 days before fight)
Court McGee

Angelo picks Court McGee, noting his recent grappling resurgence and dominant wins over Claudio Silva and Ramiz Brahimaj. He believes McGee's takedowns and control will lead to another decision win. He acknowledges Jeremiah Wells' danger but thinks McGee's durability and cardio will prevail.

"i think i'm going court mcgee here because if he comes forward the way he did against ramis he can have success with the takedowns and the control to win another decision"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jun 15, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Big Brady picks Court McGee to win by decision. He believes McGee is the more experienced fighter with better volume and technical striking, and has shown improved wrestling. He notes Wells has power but lacks volume and cardio, and McGee is extremely durable with only one finish loss. He thinks McGee will be the minute winner on the feet and can handle Wells' grappling.

decision
"I think court mcgee is the rightful favor i think he's fought the much better competition by a mile he's the more experienced fighter by mile"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jun 15, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Cody picks McGee, citing his durability, wrestling, and experience. He thinks Wells will come out hot but fade, and McGee will grind him down in rounds 2 and 3. He suggests McGee by decision as a prop.

Court McGee by decision
"i think court mcgee's uh i think i think he's gonna be my rightful selection"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jun 16, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Jeremiah Wells

Daniel Levi is confident in Jeremiah Wells as an underdog, citing Wells' athleticism, power, and black belt jiu-jitsu. He notes Court McGee is 37 and has lost five of his last eight, while Wells is younger and hungrier. Levi likes that Wells is getting plus money and believes he will be too fast and strong for McGee. He is considering a bet on Wells.

underdog shot; Wells +105; considering a bet
"i like jeremiah wells here as an underdog shot and i think he comes out here and takes care of the guy we all respect"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jun 15, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Paul agrees with McGee, noting Wells' one-dimensional style and McGee's takedown ability. He thinks McGee can survive the early storm and take over. He suggests waiting to see how round one goes before betting.

"i think court mcgee's uh he's live"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jun 13, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Jeremiah Wells

The MMA Guru picks Jeremiah Wells to win by KO, noting that Court McGee is 37 and has taken a lot of damage. He believes Wells is a freak athlete with explosive power and good grappling, as shown against Blood Diamond. He predicts Wells will catch McGee with a straight right and finish him in the first round.

first round ko
"jeremiah wells is going to get this one done i reckon he's going to get it done by ko here... first round ko for jeremiah wells with a straight right hand"
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze · Jan 15, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Court McGee 1 54 of 91 59% 76 of 113 5 of 11 45% 1 0 10:57
Ramiz Brahimaj 0 32 of 62 51% 35 of 65 1 of 3 33% 1 0 0:30
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Court McGee 1 30 of 51 58% 42 of 63 2 of 4 50% 0 0 2:58
Ramiz Brahimaj 0 15 of 33 45% 17 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Court McGee 0 21 of 37 56% 24 of 40 2 of 5 40% 0 0 3:11
Ramiz Brahimaj 0 14 of 25 56% 15 of 26 1 of 3 33% 0 0 0:30
3 Court McGee 0 3 of 3 100% 10 of 10 1 of 2 50% 1 0 4:48
Ramiz Brahimaj 0 3 of 4 75% 3 of 4 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Court McGee 54 of 91 59% 30 of 63 17 of 21 7 of 7 46 of 81 4 of 6 4 of 4
Ramiz Brahimaj 32 of 62 51% 21 of 51 10 of 10 1 of 1 25 of 53 7 of 9 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Court McGee 30 of 51 58% 13 of 31 13 of 16 4 of 4 28 of 48 1 of 2 1 of 1
Ramiz Brahimaj 15 of 33 45% 11 of 29 4 of 4 0 of 0 13 of 30 2 of 3 0 of 0
2 Court McGee 21 of 37 56% 16 of 31 3 of 4 2 of 2 15 of 30 3 of 4 3 of 3
Ramiz Brahimaj 14 of 25 56% 9 of 20 5 of 5 0 of 0 10 of 20 4 of 5 0 of 0
3 Court McGee 3 of 3 100% 1 of 1 1 of 1 1 of 1 3 of 3 0 of 0 0 of 0
Ramiz Brahimaj 3 of 4 75% 1 of 2 1 of 1 1 of 1 2 of 3 1 of 1 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jan 13, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Ramiz Brahimaj

Angelo picks Brahimaj, citing his world-class jiu-jitsu and the blueprint from Sean Brady's win over McGee. He notes Brahimaj's tendency to strike instead of grapple but expects him to stick to grappling here. He believes Brahimaj will get takedowns and control McGee to a decision win, as McGee is incredibly tough to finish.

"i expect the exact same thing for rami's brahimage i think he will grapple in this fight i think he'll get some takedowns and i think he'll have solid top pressure"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jan 10, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Court McGee

Big Brady highlights that Brahimaj has a 100% submission rate but has never been past the first round, while McGee has never been submitted in 30 fights. He expects Brahimaj to slow down after the first round, allowing McGee's cardio and striking to take over. He picks McGee by decision, noting McGee's takedown defense and ability to get back up.

"i'm going to take court megiddo in i'm going to take court mcgee to win by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jan 12, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ramiz Brahimaj

Cody picks Brahimaj, emphasizing his youth, athleticism, and grappling. He notes McGee's skills are outdated and his takedown defense is poor. He expects Brahimaj to win via decision, possibly with a submission attempt. He mentions McGee's cardio but doubts it will be enough.

Brahimaj by decision
"decision victory for ramis brahimaj and honestly the straight-up money line is uh not too bad"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jan 13, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Ramiz Brahimaj

Daniel Levi picks Ramiz Brahimaj, citing youth and momentum. He notes that Brahimaj is a beast on the mat when fresh, but has cardio and plan B concerns. Levi believes Brahimaj can finish Court McGee, who is 37 and has shown signs of slowing. He argues that McGee's recent wins are over older opponents and that Brahimaj's talent will shine. Levi expects a statement finish from Brahimaj.

finish
"i'm going to go with ron means to to get a finisher"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jan 9, 2022 (6 days before fight)
Court McGee

The host favors Court McGee due to his veteran savvy, cardio, and takedown defense. He notes Brahimaj's all-offense style and suspect cardio, expecting McGee to weather an early storm and take over in later rounds. The host highlights McGee's never-submitted record and ability to get back to his feet. He predicts a decision win for McGee, possibly with a late finish if Brahimaj gasses.

Live betting opportunity on McGee after round 1 mentioned.
"official prediction here is going to be court mcgee via decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jan 12, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ramiz Brahimaj

Paul leans toward Brahimaj, noting his youth, athleticism, and grappling. He expects Brahimaj to take McGee down and control him. He questions if Brahimaj can maintain pace for three rounds but thinks his submission threat will be enough. He mentions McGee's durability and cardio as potential factors.

"i'm kind of with you i'll lean towards rami's probably maj to get the job done"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jan 10, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Ramiz Brahimaj

The MMA Guru picks Ramiz Brahimaj to win, noting that he is younger, trains at a good gym, and has more finishing ability. He was initially tempted by Court McGee as an underdog but realized Brahimaj is actually the underdog. He trusts Brahimaj's grappling and striking in the early rounds, and believes his desire to return after the ear injury shows dedication. He acknowledges McGee's pressure and toughness could be a factor in later rounds, but thinks Brahimaj will win the early rounds enough to take a decision or finish.

Brahimaj is an underdog.
"i think ram is brahimage is going to win this one very good in the early rounds"
Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 29–27) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt · May 22, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Court McGee 0 37 of 74 50% 110 of 157 3 of 5 60% 1 0 8:03
Cláudio Silva 0 21 of 56 37% 81 of 126 1 of 10 10% 0 0 1:48
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Court McGee 0 10 of 30 33% 29 of 50 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:51
Cláudio Silva 0 6 of 24 25% 13 of 33 0 of 5 0% 0 0 1:09
2 Court McGee 0 16 of 25 64% 36 of 48 0 of 1 0% 1 0 3:35
Cláudio Silva 0 3 of 11 27% 15 of 25 1 of 3 33% 0 0 0:22
3 Court McGee 0 11 of 19 57% 45 of 59 2 of 3 66% 0 0 3:37
Cláudio Silva 0 12 of 21 57% 53 of 68 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:17
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Court McGee 37 of 74 50% 22 of 53 9 of 14 6 of 7 23 of 58 2 of 3 12 of 13
Cláudio Silva 21 of 56 37% 8 of 36 9 of 15 4 of 5 19 of 52 2 of 4 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Court McGee 10 of 30 33% 4 of 19 3 of 7 3 of 4 10 of 30 0 of 0 0 of 0
Cláudio Silva 6 of 24 25% 2 of 16 1 of 4 3 of 4 6 of 23 0 of 1 0 of 0
2 Court McGee 16 of 25 64% 13 of 22 2 of 2 1 of 1 6 of 13 1 of 2 9 of 10
Cláudio Silva 3 of 11 27% 1 of 8 2 of 3 0 of 0 2 of 10 1 of 1 0 of 0
3 Court McGee 11 of 19 57% 5 of 12 4 of 5 2 of 2 7 of 15 1 of 1 3 of 3
Cláudio Silva 12 of 21 57% 5 of 12 6 of 8 1 of 1 11 of 19 1 of 2 0 of 0
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked May 18, 2021 (4 days before fight)
Court McGee

Big Brady picks McGee, expecting him to survive Silva's dangerous first round and take over in rounds 2 and 3 due to superior cardio and output. He notes Silva's cardio fades, McGee's never been submitted, and his takedown defense and get-up game are solid. He predicts a 29-28 decision or late finish.

McGee by decision or late finish
"i will take court mckee to survive that first round not get submitted"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked May 19, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Cody Saftic picks Court McGee, expressing frustration with Cláudio Silva's ugly style but acknowledging Silva's ability to win. He believes McGee's cardio and durability will allow him to survive Silva's early takedowns and win the later rounds. Saftic notes that Silva has poor striking and takedowns, and that McGee is a good gatekeeper who should be able to sprawl and brawl. He suggests a live bet on McGee if Silva wins the first round.

live bet McGee
"i'm gonna go with court mcgee uh but there's not a whole lot of guys in the ufc i would bet court mcgee over at this point"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked May 20, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Cláudio Silva

Daniel Levi picks Cláudio Silva, citing Silva's aggression, opportunistic style, and world-class jiu-jitsu. He notes that Court McGee's style hasn't evolved, he's been getting dropped in fights, and he's 3-7 in his last 10. He predicts Silva will take McGee down and submit him, possibly becoming the first man to submit McGee. He also thinks Silva could win a decision if it goes three rounds.

first round submission
"i personally think claudio is going to take him down one time and the fight's going to be over shortly after but if it becomes a three-round war i also take lajo there as well but i'm going to say …"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked May 19, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Matt picks Court McGee by decision, but with very low confidence, calling it a stay-away fight. He notes McGee has looked past his prime, while Silva has a poor gas tank. He thinks McGee can nullify Silva's takedowns and pick him apart on the feet as Silva fades. However, he acknowledges Silva's elite jiu-jitsu is a threat, and McGee has never been submitted. He mentions a possible third-round finish for McGee at +1600 but is not confident.

Court McGee round 3 (+1600)
"i'll go core mcgee i think he ends up staying away from the takedowns and just picks apart claudio silva"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked May 19, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

Paul Shaughnessy agrees with McGee, noting that Silva is frustrating to watch and that McGee has better cardio and durability. He believes McGee will win the second and third rounds after surviving Silva's early grappling. He mentions that Silva's wins are often close decisions and that McGee is the logical choice.

"for that reason i gotta go with court mcgee am i super pumped up about that no um but to me it's the logical and it's the right choice"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Hesitant picked May 22, 2021 (fight day)
Cláudio Silva

The MMA Guru predicts Cláudio Silva will win by split decision in a very close fight. He expects McGee to outstrike Silva on the feet, but Silva will time takedowns and have close submission attempts that sway the rounds in his favor. He compares it to the Bobby Green vs Thiago Moises fight, but with Silva winning this time.

"i'm going to be going with claudio silva by split decision"
LOSS vs Carlos Condit
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana · Oct 04, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Carlos Condit 1 88 of 230 38% 88 of 230 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Court McGee 0 84 of 182 46% 84 of 182 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Carlos Condit 1 15 of 38 39% 15 of 38 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Court McGee 0 31 of 63 49% 31 of 63 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Carlos Condit 0 30 of 71 42% 30 of 71 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Court McGee 0 26 of 56 46% 26 of 56 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Carlos Condit 0 43 of 121 35% 43 of 121 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Court McGee 0 27 of 63 42% 27 of 63 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Carlos Condit 88 of 230 38% 50 of 173 17 of 34 21 of 23 87 of 228 0 of 0 1 of 2
Court McGee 84 of 182 46% 9 of 73 28 of 51 47 of 58 84 of 182 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Carlos Condit 15 of 38 39% 5 of 19 4 of 12 6 of 7 15 of 38 0 of 0 0 of 0
Court McGee 31 of 63 49% 3 of 22 11 of 17 17 of 24 31 of 63 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Carlos Condit 30 of 71 42% 17 of 54 7 of 11 6 of 6 30 of 71 0 of 0 0 of 0
Court McGee 26 of 56 46% 3 of 19 6 of 17 17 of 20 26 of 56 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Carlos Condit 43 of 121 35% 28 of 100 6 of 11 9 of 10 42 of 119 0 of 0 1 of 2
Court McGee 27 of 63 42% 3 of 32 11 of 17 13 of 14 27 of 63 0 of 0 0 of 0
BI
Big Brady Expert Lean picked Sep 30, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Court McGee

Big Brady picks Court McGee to win by decision. He notes McGee's clear path to victory via takedowns, as Condit has poor takedown defense. He thinks Condit's only chance is a submission off his back, but McGee has never been submitted.

"give me court mcgee to win a pretty pretty ugly decision here"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Lean picked Oct 2, 2020 (2 days before fight)
Carlos Condit

Daniel leans with Condit, reasoning that McGee's training camp was subpar (mainly drilling with his 13-year-old son) and that Condit has had moments of success against higher-level competition. He acknowledges Condit's five-fight losing streak but thinks this is a winnable fight, predicting a split decision. He notes that McGee's takedowns could be a factor but Condit might capitalize on submissions.

Condit by split decision; mentions McGee's camp issues; notes Condit's submission threat off his back
"i think conde might actually this is the one fight con that can win ben saunders beat this guy so i'm gonna go with carlos conde via split decision"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked Oct 1, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Court McGee

The host leans toward Court McGee due to Condit's poor takedown defense and McGee's durability, but he is not confident enough to bet at -135. He predicts a decision win for McGee but says he would only bet if McGee were plus money.

Over 2.5 rounds -250 (not recommended)
"my head definitely says court mcgee... but even at minus 135 i can't take the shot"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 28, 2020 (6 days before fight)
Carlos Condit

The Guru picks Carlos Condit, noting his good ground game and submission threats against Michael Chiesa. He believes Condit is naturally bigger and can push the pace, and predicts a submission by armbar in the second round or a decision. He sees nothing in McGee's game to suggest he can beat Condit.

Prediction: submission (armbar) round 2 or decision
"i'm going to be going with carlos condit getting a job done taller guy naturally bigger welterweight can push the pace as well"
Expert Picks (7)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Mar 31, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Angelo picks Alex Morono because he believes Morono is a step ahead everywhere in this fight and could potentially finish an aging Court McGee. He notes that McGee relied on his work ethic and chin, but at 39, that chin is gone and hard work alone won't get wins. Morono is somewhat unreliable himself, but Angelo thinks he should be good here.

"Morono is going to be the pick"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Apr 4, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Big Brady picks Alex Morono to win by decision. He notes that Morono is six years younger, has better striking volume, and good jiu-jitsu. He believes Court McGee's durability is waning after recent knockouts, but doesn't expect a finish. He thinks Morono will be better wherever the fight goes.

win by decision
"I'm taking morono here I'm taking morono to win this fight by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Cody agrees, noting McGee's recent knockout losses to Matt Brown and Jeremiah Wells. He thinks Morono's volume and speed will be too much, and that McGee's pressure game won't work against a more technical striker. Cody also mentions Morono's competitive fight with Joaquin Buckley has aged well.

"morona kills him... I think it's Justified Chuck on Alex morono"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Apr 4, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Alex Morono to finish Court McGee in the first round. He compares McGee to past veterans Morono has stopped, like Josh Burkman and Tim Means, noting McGee is 40 and slow. Vreeland believes Morono's speed, power, and vicious intent will overwhelm McGee, and even if taken down, Morono can pop back up. He predicts a first-round knockout or submission.

first round finish
"I actually think Alex Morano gets a first round finish man."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Morono is younger, more durable, and has better striking volume and power. McGee's chin is fading after recent knockouts. Morono's defensive grappling should be enough to keep the fight standing, where he can land damaging combinations. Expect a finish in the second or third round.

Morono by KO/TKO or submission (club and sub)
"I think he knocks out or clubs and Subs McGee at some point in this matchup early going should be a little bit grindy a little bit close but as this fight starts to wear on is and as morono starts to land more and more damage on McGee look …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Alex Morono

Paul is confident in Morono, citing McGee's age, declining durability, and recent knockout losses. He notes McGee's wins are over one-dimensional grapplers, while Morono has better footwork, volume, and takedown defense. Paul thinks Morono will outwork McGee and possibly knock him out, as McGee's durability is gone.

by KO
"morona kills him... don't mind Alex morono knockout one"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Apr 2, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Alex Morono

The host picks Morono based on output and commitment. He notes Morono looked amazing against Buckley and is better than Ventre. He criticizes McGee's recent losses to Matt Brown and Jeremiah Wells. He predicts neither will get a KO or dominate grappling, so Morono's higher volume will win a decision.

"I'm going to go Alex morono more committed to the game more volume on the feet and I doubt either of them get a KO over over each other"