UFC Star Has Unbeaten Record Wiped in Huge Controversy
A UFC title contender is no longer unbeaten following a huge update.
A UFC star has had his unbeaten professional MMA record wiped following a huge update from Tapology.
An unbeaten pro record in MMA is a tough feat to achieve given the nature of the unpredictable sport.
Having said that, two of UFC's current champions are undefeated in undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev.
Before Tapology's update on Wednesday, Michael Morales was also an undefeated phenom, who was gunning for a UFC world title following his sensational first-round knockout victory over Sean Brady in November.
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After his big win at UFC 322, the Ecuadorian improved his pro record to a stunning 19-0.
But Tapology have updated Morales' record after a 'tip off'.
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They shared a series of posts after learning of footage from Ecuadorian league Ultima Pelea - a reality style show with fighters in a tournament.
According to Tapology, Morales competed in the second season in 2017, winning and losing a fight.
As a result, the website have added an additional pro win and pro loss from the start of his career.
On X, Tapology wrote: "Update on the Tapology record for welterweight phenom Michael Morales. While Morales had been listed up to this point as undefeated as professional, we have added 1 additional professional win and 1 additional professional loss from the start of his career.
"We were tipped off to and found extensive footage of an Ecuadorian league 'Ultima Pelea' which had at least 3 seasons of a reality style show with fighters in a tournament. Morales competed in the 2nd season in 2017."
They added: "Morales was 17 at the time of the qualification fight and 18 at the time of his quarterfinal fight (a loss). The rules and structure of the fights meet our criteria of professional MMA. Many of the competitors were established professionals including Ricardo Centeno who beat him.
"He gets stuck in a triangle choke and eats several punches before the refs stops it. Morales is out cold and it was announced as a knockout, however we have classified it as a triangle choke submission.
"While The Ultimate Fighter reality show in the U.S. is still classified as exhibition status, we don't grant the same exhibition status to other reality competitions around the world. TUF has only been exempted because of the U.S. athletic commission designation it was given."
Morales, 26, came through Dana White's Contender Series and has since won seven fights in the UFC, including victories over the aforementioned Brady, Gilbert Burns and Neil Magny.
Despite going undefeated inside the famed Octagon, he's no longer an unbeaten MMA star.
Topics: UFC
Nasir Jabbar