John Moraga

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American mixed martial artist

title: "John Moraga" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1984-births", "living-people", "american-male-mixed-martial-artists", "american-people-of-mexican-descent", "sportspeople-of-mexican-descent", "martial-artists-from-phoenix,-arizona", "flyweight-mixed-martial-artists", "bantamweight-mixed-martial-artists", "featherweight-mixed-martial-artists", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-collegiate-wrestling", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-freestyle-wrestling", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-boxing", "mixed-martial-artists-from-arizona", "american-male-sport-wrestlers", "arizona-state-sun-devils-wrestlers", "ultimate-fighting-championship-male-fighters"] description: "American mixed martial artist" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Moraga" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American mixed martial artist ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox martial artist"]

FieldValue
nameJohn Moraga
nicknameChicano
image_size200px
birth_date
birth_placePhoenix, Arizona, United States
height
weight125 lb
weight_classFlyweight
Bantamweight
Featherweight
reach66 in
stanceOrthodox
fighting_out_ofPhoenix, Arizona, United States
teamArizona Combat Sports
MMA Lab
wrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling
universityArizona State University
schoolMaryvale High School
years_active2009–present (MMA)
2012, 2019–present (boxing)
box_win1
box_kowin1
box_loss3
box_koloss1
mma_kowin3
mma_subwin8
mma_decwin8
mma_koloss2
mma_subloss1
mma_decloss4
sherdog55159
boxrec609452
::

| name = John Moraga | nickname = Chicano | image = | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = Phoenix, Arizona, United States | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | nationality = | height = | weight = 125 lb | weight_class = Flyweight Bantamweight Featherweight | reach = 66 in | style = | stance = Orthodox | fighting_out_of = Phoenix, Arizona, United States | team = Arizona Combat Sports MMA Lab | rank = | wrestling = NCAA Division I Wrestling | university = Arizona State University | school = Maryvale High School | years_active = 2009–present (MMA) 2012, 2019–present (boxing) | box_win = 1 | box_kowin = 1 | box_loss = 3 | box_koloss = 1 | box_draw = | box_nc = | mma_kowin = 3 | mma_subwin = 8 | mma_decwin = 8 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = 1 | mma_decloss = 4 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | url = | sherdog = 55159 | boxrec = 609452 | footnotes = | updated =

John Anthony Moraga (born March 20, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler who competed as a flyweight. He is best known for his lengthy career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which saw him challenge for the UFC Flyweight Championship in 2013.

Background

Moraga was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is of Mexican descent. Moraga attended Maryvale High School and then chose to go to Arizona State University where he was a two-time University Freestyle All-American wrestler for the Sun Devils. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Mixed martial arts career

Moraga started his professional career at 2009 in Arizona for the local organization Rage in the Cage. There he achieved an undefeated record of 6–0, until his fight against John Dodson in 2010, in which he lost via unanimous decision. He then won five straight bouts, and was signed by the UFC in 2012.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Moraga was expected his promotional debut against Ian McCall on August 4, 2012 at UFC on Fox 4. However, McCall was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Ulysses Gomez. Moraga won the fight via KO in the first round.

Moraga next faced Chris Cariaso on December 29, 2012 at UFC 155. Moraga was victorious with a third round guillotine choke submission. His victory also earned him Submission of the Night honors.

Moraga was expected to face UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson for the title on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. However, Johnson was forced out of the bout with an injury and Moraga was removed from the event as well.

Moraga eventually faced Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Fox 8 on July 27, 2013. Moraga showed promise in the first round as he landed some good strikes standing. However, the champion began to wear him down with his wrestling. Despite hurting Johnson in the fourth round with a punch, he lost the fight via submission in the fifth round.

Moraga was expected to face Darren Uyenoyama on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9. However, Moraga pulled out of the bout with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alptekin Ozkilic.

Moraga faced Dustin Ortiz on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35. He won the fight via split decision.

A rematch with John Dodson took place on June 7, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 42. He lost the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage between rounds two and three after a knee Dodson threw late in the second round broke Moraga's nose.

Moraga faced Justin Scoggins on September 5, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 50. Moraga defeated Scoggins via submission in the second round, securing a guillotine choke after being taken down.

Moraga was expected to face Jussier Formiga on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. However, Formiga pulled out of the fight on November 21 and was replaced by Willie Gates. Moraga won the fight via submission in the third round.

Moraga faced Joseph Benavidez on May 23, 2015 at UFC 187. Moraga lost the back and forth fight via unanimous decision.

Moraga faced Matheus Nicolau on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale He lost the fight via split decision.

Moraga was expected to face Zach Makovsky on December 10, 2016 at UFC 206. However, Moraga pulled out of the fight in early November citing injury and was replaced by Dustin Ortiz.

Moraga next faced Sergio Pettis on January 15, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 103. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Moraga faced promotional newcomer Ashkan Mokhtarian on June 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110. He won the one-sided fight by unanimous decision.

Moraga faced Magomed Bibulatov on October 7, 2017 at UFC 216. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Moraga faced Wilson Reis on April 14, 2018 at UFC on Fox 29. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Moraga faced Deiveson Figueiredo on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

On February 7, 2019, it was reported that Moraga was released from the UFC, which would be confirmed by then-UFC Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo.

Post-UFC career

Moraga was supposed to face Hector Sandoval at ARES 2 on April 3, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed until October 30, 2020, before being cancelled altogether.

Professional boxing career

Just before joining ranks of the UFC, Moraga made his professional boxing debut against Jose Marrufo, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

After he was released from the UFC in 2019, he continued with his boxing career by defeating Brandon Foss via technical knockout in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|ko-wins=2 |ko-losses=2 |sub-wins=8 |sub-losses=1 |dec-wins=7

dec-losses=5
Loss
align=center
Deiveson Figueiredo
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick

| |align=center|2 |align=center|3:08 |Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |- |Win |align=center|19–6 |Wilson Reis |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Glendale, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|18–6 |Magomed Bibulatov |KO (punch) |UFC 216 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:38 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Performance of the Night.
Win
align=center
Ashkan Mokhtarian
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt

| |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Auckland, New Zealand | |- |Loss |align=center|16–6 |Sergio Pettis |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|16–5 |Matheus Nicolau |Decision (split) |The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|16–4 |Joseph Benavidez |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 187 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center| 16–3 |Willie Gates |Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic | |align=center|3 |align=center|4:06 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|15–3 |Justin Scoggins |Submission (guillotine choke) |UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Mousasi | |align=center|2 |align=center|0:47 |Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|14–3 | John Dodson |TKO (doctor stoppage) |UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov | |align=center|2 |align=center|5:00 |Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |- |Win |align=center|14–2 | Dustin Ortiz |Decision (split) |UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Duluth, Georgia, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|13–2 | Demetrious Johnson |Submission (armbar) |UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga | |align=center|5 |align=center|3:43 |Seattle, Washington, United States

For the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Chris Cariaso
Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC 155

| |align=center|3 |align=center|1:11 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Submission of the Night.
Win
align=center
Ulysses Gomez
KO (elbows and punches)
UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera

| |align=center|1 |align=center|3:46 |Los Angeles, California, United States

Flyweight debut.
Win
align=center
Jose Carbajal
Decision (unanimous)
Cage Rage: On the River 2

| |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Parker, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|10–1 | Maurice Senters |Decision (unanimous) |Rage in the Cage 160 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Chandler, Arizona, United States

Won the RITC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Matthew Garcia
Submission (armbar)
Coalition of Combat: The Bangers Ball

| |align=center|1 |align=center|3:10 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|8–1 | Freddie Lux |Submission (guillotine choke) |Trilogy Championship Fighting: Rumble at the Ranch 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:49 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Won the TCF Bantamweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Nathaniel Baker
Submission (armbar)
Martinez Brothers Production: Sun City Battle

| |align=center|3 |align=center|2:27 |El Paso, Texas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|6–1 | John Dodson |Decision (unanimous) |Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | |- |Win |align=center|6–0 | Aldo Escudero |Decision (unanimous) |Rage in the Cage 143 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|5–0 | Travis Halverson |Submission (guillotine choke) |Rage in the Cage 142 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:17 |Chandler, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|4–0 |Pat Donovan |Submission (triangle choke) |Rage in the Cage 140 | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:12 |Chandler, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|3–0 | Evan Morton |Decision (unanimous) |Rage in the Cage 139 | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Tucson, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|2–0 | Al Decastro |TKO (punches) |Rage in the Cage 138 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:15 |Mesa, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|1–0 | Sam Shapiro |Decision (unanimous) |Rage in the Cage 136 | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Prescott Valley, Arizona, United States |

Professional boxing record

|draws= |nc= |ko-wins=1 |ko-losses=1 |dec-wins= |dec-losses=2 |dq-wins= |dq-losses= ::data[format=table]

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
4Loss1–3USA Marc CastroTKO2 (4), 2:2927 Feb 2021US Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S.
3Loss1–2USA Duke RaganUD43 Oct 2020USA MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
2Win1–1USA Brandon FossTKO2 (4), 1:3012 Oct 2019USA Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler, Arizona, US
1Loss0–1Mexico Jose MarrufoUD412 Apr 2012USA El Zaribah Shriners Auditorium, Phoenix, Arizona, US
::

References

References

  1. "Fight Card - UFC 187 Johnson vs. Cormier". UFC.com.
  2. Michael Riordan. (July 28, 2013). "Dear UFC, John Moraga and Jake Ellenberger Were Never Collegiate All-Americans". Bloody Elbow.
  3. "MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS : May 23, 2015 : MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas".
  4. Shaun Al-Shatti. (July 23, 2013). "John Moraga: flyweight's mystery man". MMAfighting.com.
  5. MMAjunkie.com staff. (July 19, 2012). "Ian McCall vs. John Moraga added to UFC on FOX 4 in Los Angeles". MMAjunkie.com.
  6. [http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Ulysses-Gomez-Replaces-Injured-Ian-McCall-Faces-John-Moraga-at-UFC-on-Fox-4-44403 Ulysses Gomez replaces injured Ian McCall at UFC on Fox 4] by Tristen Critchfield (Sherdog.com) on July 23, 2012
  7. Matt Erickson. (August 4, 2012). "UFC on FOX 4 results: John Moraga knocks out Ulysses Gomez in flyweights' UFC debuts". MMAjunkie.com.
  8. MMAjunkie.com staff. (November 22, 2012). "John Moraga vs. Chris Cariaso slotted for UFC 155 in Las Vegas". MMAjunkie.com.
  9. (December 30, 2012). "UFC 155 Bonuses: Miller, Lauzon, Duffee, Moraga Earn $65,000 Awards". mmajnkie.com.
  10. Dave Doyle. (February 11, 2013). "Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga headlines TUF 17 Finale". MMAfighting.com.
  11. MMAjunkie.com staff. (February 26, 2013). "Demetrious Johnson injured, title fight with John Moraga off TUF 17 Finale". MMAjunkie.com.
  12. Dann Stupp. (July 27, 2013). "Demetrious Johnson overpowers John Moraga, defends title". USAtoday.com.
  13. Luke Thomas. (September 29, 2013). "Darren Uyenoyama vs. John Moraga set for UFC on FOX 9 fight card". mmafighting.com.
  14. Dave Doyle. (November 26, 2013). "Injury forces John Moraga out of UFC on FOX 9 bout with Darren Uyenoyama". mmafighting.com.
  15. Staff. (2013-12-05). "John Moraga vs. Dustin Ortiz added to UFC Fight Night 35 in Georgia". mmajunkie.com.
  16. ShinSplints. (2014-01-15). "UFC Fight Night 35 results: John Moraga ekes out split decision over Dustin Ortiz". bloodyelbow.com.
  17. Jesse Holland. (2014-03-26). "John Dodson vs John Moraga on tap for UFC Fight Night event on June 7 in Albuquerque". mmamania.com.
  18. Steven Marrocco. (2014-06-07). "UFC Fight Night 42 results, photos: John Dodson (and doc) stop John Moraga". mmajunkie.com.
  19. Staff. (2014-08-02). "John Moraga vs. Justin Scoggins added to UFC Fight Night 50 in September". mmajunkie.com.
  20. John Morgan. (2014-09-05). "UFC Fight Night 50 results: John Moraga chokes out Justin Scoggins". mmajunkie.com.
  21. MMA Fighting Newswire. (2014-09-22). "John Moraga slated to face Jussier Formiga at UFC on FOX 13". mmafighting.com.
  22. John Morgan. (2014-11-21). "Jussier Formiga out at UFC on FOX 13, John Moraga needs new opponent". mmajunkie.com.
  23. Guilherme Cruz. (2014-11-25). "Willie Gates replaces Jussier Formiga, meets John Moraga at UFC on FOX 13". mmafighting.com.
  24. Dave Doyle. (2014-12-13). "UFC on FOX 13 results: John Moraga rallies past Willie Gates in strange fight". mmafighting.com.
  25. MMA Fighting Newswire. (2015-02-18). "UFC 187 rounds out main card with fights between Andrei Arlovski-Travis Browne, John Moraga-Joseph Benavidez". mmafighting.com.
  26. Steven Marrocco. (2015-05-23). "UFC 187 results: Joseph Benavidez sweeps John Moraga in 'reckless,' wild slugfest". mmajunkie.com.
  27. Shaun Al-Shatti. (2016-05-20). "UFC flyweight John Moraga returns against Matheus Nicolau at TUF 23 Finale". mmafighting.com.
  28. Ben Fowlkes. (2015-07-08). "TUF 23 Finale results: New flyweight Matheus Nicolau takes split from ex-title challenger John Moraga". mmajunkie.com.
  29. Staff. (2015-10-05). "Light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier defends title at UFC 206 in Toronto vs. Anthony Johnson". mmajunkie.com.
  30. Staff. (2016-11-07). "Ortiz replaces Moraga on UFC 206 card". tsn.ca.
  31. Staff. (2016-12-29). "John Moraga in for Formiga vs. Sergio Pettis, Drakkar Klose meets Devin Powell at UFC Fight Night 103". mmajunkie.com.
  32. Andrew Pearson. (2017-01-15). "UFC Fight Night 103 results: Sergio Pettis topples John Moraga unanimously". mmamania.com.
  33. Alexander K. Lee. (2017-03-23). "Benavidez-Nguyen, Moraga-Mokhtarian added to UFC Auckland".
  34. Steven Marrocco. (2017-06-10). "UFC Fight Night 110 results: John Moraga outclasses newcomer Ashkan Mokhtarian to end skid". mmajunkie.com.
  35. Mike Sloan. (2017-08-02). "UFC 216 bolstered with several bouts". sherdog.com.
  36. (2017-10-07). "UFC 216 results: John Moraga KOs 6-1 favorite Magomed Bibulatov with vicious left hand". MMAjunkie.
  37. (2017-10-08). "UFC 216 bonuses: Demetrious Johnson's late finish became his eighth UFC fight-night bonus". MMAjunkie.
  38. Staff. (2018-02-03). "Ex-title challengers John Moraga, Wilson Reis meet at UFC on FOX 29 in Arizona".
  39. "UFC on FOX 29 results: John Moraga wins heated scrap with Wilson Reis". MMA Fighting.
  40. Guilherme Cruz. (2018-06-21). "John Moraga meets Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Lincoln". mmafighting.com.
  41. (August 26, 2018). "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Deiveson Figueiredo takes out John Moraga after body shot". MMAjunkie.
  42. (2019-02-07). "Champ Henry Cejudo: UFC should tell me flyweight plans 'out of respect'".
  43. Carroll, Peter. (2020-01-28). "Nordine Taleb, John Moraga set for debuts at ARES 2 in Brussels on April 3".
  44. Michael Fiedel. (March 6, 2020). "Upstart ARES FC promotion postpones second event due to coronavirus". thebodylockmma.com.
  45. Ariel Helwani. (13 October 2019). "Former UFC title contender John Moraga competed in boxing last night. He won via 2nd round knockout. He is no longer with the UFC and wants to pursue a career in MMA and boxing, his manager Abraham Kawa says. He had one pro boxing fight in 2012 but nothing since.".
  46. [http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/7/22/4544054/ufc-fox-demetrious-johnson-john-moraga-college-wrestling-records-factgrinder UFC on Fox 8 Factgrinder: The Wrestling of Demetrious Johnson and John Moraga] by Mike Riordan (Bloodyelbow.com) on July 22, 2013
  47. [http://www.thesundevils.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30300&ATCLID=207829783 NCAA wrestling championships await Sun Devils] Thesundevils.com (March 13, 2007)
  48. [http://www.thesundevils.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=749610&SPID=126708&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=30300&ATCLID=208248468 John Espinoza - Arizona State University] Thesundevils.com
  49. "Record Book - UFC Flyweights".
  50. Thomas Gerbasi. (January 1, 2013). "Ten Best - 2012 Newcomer of the Year". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
  51. "Sherdog.com's 2012 All-Violence Team - First Team".

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