Alex Morono credits Fortis MMA for resurgence, calls out Dhiego Lima after UFC Tampa

Take a look inside Alex Morono's win over Max Griffin at UFC on ESPN+ 19 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Morono beat Max Griffin with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 19 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Take a look inside the fight with Morono, who won for the third straight time.

Result: Alex Morono def. Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Updated records: Morono (17-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Griffin (15-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Key stat: Griffin landed all four of the fight’s takedowns.

Morono on the fight’s key moment

“We knew he would be hard to finish. I kicked him in the head and dropped him, hit him with a spinning backfist, and all sorts of stuff. He’s tough as nails. Hat’s off to him. When the judges said 29-27, I knew I had the 10-8 in the second – but you just never know. I’ve had three split decisions in my career and lost all of them. I don’t like the judges, so I just wanted to hear the good news.”

Morono on the Fortis MMA effect

“I am now on the longest win streak of my UFC career – three wins, and that’s no coincidence. I joined Fortis MMA three fights ago, and here we are. The accountability in that gym and with (coach) Sayif (Saud) for the fighters’ work ethic and decisions is huge. I’m more afraid of his backlash from losing than I am actually losing a fight. This win does a lot for me. I think it was a good test and I’ll jump up the ranks a little.”

Morono on what he wants next

“I’d like to fight in January or February. Dhiego Lima is someone I’d like to fight, so that’s who I am asking for next.”

To hear more from Morono, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.