Veteran meets prospect.
Max ‘Pain’ Griffin is back against the undefeated Michael Morales in a welterweight matchup at UFC Vegas 76. Griffin looks to make it two wins in a row since defeating Tim Means in September while Morales tries for his third straight win in the Octagon.
Round 1:
Both fighters trade punches in the pocket. Morales throws punches that don’t find their target. Morales and Griffin evade many strike attempts from each other. Morales throws a flying knee. Griffin stings Morales with a combo and then shoots for a takedown against the cage. Morales defends well and breaks away. Griffin presses Morales against the cage again, trying to get the fight to the ground. Griffin controls Morales in the clinch.
Griffin cats Morales with a right hook. Morales lands a flying kick to the body.
CDS: 10-9 Griffin
Round 2:
Morales’ strikes find the chin of Griffin in the opening seconds of round two. Morales stalks Griffin with constant aggression and clips him with combos. Griffin circles around, attempting to cover from a safe distance. Griffin throws a body kick. Morales pumps out the jab. Griffin attempts a takedown but Morales defends, spinning out.
Griffin hits Morales with a right hand. Morales tee’s off with punches in the final minute of the round. One of Morales’ knees is ruled a low blow which pauses the contest. Both fighters swing for the fences before the bell sounds.
CDS: 10-9 Morales
Round 3:
Morales lands a kick to calf. Griffin sticks out the jab. Morales returns with a sharp jab of his own. Griffin goes for takedown to which Morales stuffs and retaliates with a flurry of effective strikes. Morales chops Griffin with a leg kick. Griffin attempts another takedown but is really unsuccessful in getting Morales down to the mat.
Morales momentarily gets Griffin down to the ground, Griffin gets back up and they separate. Morales lands a jab before Griffin goes for another takedown which he doesn’t get. Griffin eats a knee to the face from Morales. Morales trips Griffin with a terrific leg kick. Morales lands a superman punch. Morales lands a nice jab. Griffin throws strikes before entering the clinch but Morales turns it around, taking down Griffin in the last seconds of the fight.
CDS: 10-9 Morales (total score: 29-28 Morales)
Official Result: Michael Morales defeats Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check out the highlights below:
These two are SWINGING 👊
Going into round 3 NOW! #UFCVegas76 pic.twitter.com/UjGJUDGdpK
— UFC (@ufc) July 2, 2023
Step up in competition but Michael Morales passed the test! #UFCVegas76 pic.twitter.com/u2B03FaSih
— UFC (@ufc) July 2, 2023
