Vince Morales Record: 16-11-0
BantamweightVince Morales has a 16-11-0 professional record and is 35 years old in the Bantamweight division, representing Syndicate MMA. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Vince Morales bio
Personal background
Vince "Vandetta" Morales is an American bantamweight who has spent the better part of a decade competing inside the UFC and across the wider MMA landscape. Born on November 12, 1990, in Caldwell, Idaho, Morales came to fighting through wrestling, turning a winless freshman season into an Oregon high school state championship and pairing it with an accomplished amateur boxing run that also produced a state tournament title. He has said he returned to combat sports in his early twenties because he missed the competition wrestling had given him. The 5'7" bantamweight fights out of Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, where he has built a well-rounded game around heavy hands and an increasingly dangerous submission attack.
Path to the UFC
Morales turned professional in 2015 and cut his teeth on the regional circuit, fighting largely in the Pacific Northwest and Idaho for promotions such as Front Street Fights, Bellator and King of the Cage. He captured the Front Street Fights featherweight title and stacked up finishes before getting his first big-stage opportunity on Dana White's Contender Series in 2018, where he was submitted by Domingo Pilarte via second-round rear-naked choke. He had already absorbed an earlier reminder of the grind in 2015, dropping a submission loss to Josh Wick. Despite the Contender Series setback, Morales did the rare thing of fighting his way onto the UFC roster anyway.
UFC run
Morales debuted in the Octagon in November 2018, dropping a unanimous decision to surging prospect Yadong Song. He answered with a statement, outpointing Aiemann Zahabi by unanimous decision in May 2019 for his first UFC win, before close decision losses to Benito Lopez and, in 2020, a TKO via leg kicks against Chris Gutierrez. The high point of his UFC tenure came across 2021: a unanimous-decision win over Drako Rodriguez at UFC 265, followed by a first-round knockout of veteran Louis Smolka on a thunderous overhand right. Decisions then went against him versus Jonathan Martinez and Miles Johns in 2022.
Regional resurgence and return
Rather than fade out, Morales rebuilt himself on the regional and international scene through 2023 and 2024, reeling off a string of wins that showcased his grappling. He submitted Teruto Ishihara with a D'Arce choke at XMMA 6, decisioned veteran Yuki Motoya at RIZIN 45, and choked out Hunter Azure with a Peruvian necktie. That form earned him another UFC stint, though it has been a difficult one: unanimous-decision losses to Taylor Lapilus, prospect Elijah Smith, blue-chipper Raul Rosas Jr., and most recently Colby Thicknesse in May 2026.
Fighting style
Morales is a true finisher when he is on top of an opponent, with 12 of his 16 wins coming inside the distance – seven by knockout and five by submission. His best work blends concussive power punching, headlined by that overhand right, with a genuinely sneaky submission game built on chokes from a variety of positions. The honest counterpoint is his ledger against the division's elite: many of his losses have come by decision to technically sharp, high-output opponents, which points to the rounds where his volume and takedown defense have come up short. He remains a dangerous, durable veteran who is never out of a fight.
Career highlights
- UFC knockout of Louis Smolka — floored the experienced flyweight/bantamweight veteran with a first-round overhand right in 2021, his signature finish on the sport's biggest stage.
- Front Street Fights featherweight champion — captured a regional title and a reputation as a finisher on the Pacific Northwest circuit before reaching the UFC.
- Submission specialist on the comeback trail — rattled off D'Arce, Peruvian necktie and arm-triangle finishes during his 2023–24 resurgence to fight his way back to the UFC.
Vince Morales career snapshot
Vince Morales quick answers
What is Vince Morales's record?
Vince Morales's professional MMA record is 16-11-0.
How old is Vince Morales?
Vince Morales is 35 years old.
What weight class is Vince Morales?
Vince Morales fights at Bantamweight in UFC.
How tall is Vince Morales?
Vince Morales is 5'7" tall with a 70" reach.
How much does Vince Morales weigh?
Vince Morales competes at Bantamweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 136 lbs.
What is Vince Morales's Combat Edge Elo?
Vince Morales's Combat Edge Elo is 1617, with a peak Elo of 1665.
When was Vince Morales's last fight?
Vince Morales's latest tracked pro fight was against Colby Thicknesse at UFC Fight Night on May 2 2026.
What is Vince Morales's recent form?
Vince Morales's recent tracked pro form is L-L-L-L-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Vince Morales usually win?
Vince Morales's 16 recorded wins include 7 knockouts, 5 submissions, and 4 decisions, with 75% ending before the final bell.
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