Alex Morono is back in the Octagon this weekend at UFC Fight Night Beijing, facing Kenan Song in a welterweight division encounter.
Some fighters traveling overseas for fights have issues with the weight cutting process, but Morono says past experiences will help him through this one.
“So, thankfully I fought in Japan last year and really didn’t have a hard weight cut at all. I remember when I got to the UFC office, I was like seven pounds heavier than…and that was a little troubling. Then after two days, it all whittled down. Plus my last few weight cuts have been the lowest they’ve ever been and even on this one, this one will be a little bit more than my last fight camp. But my last fight camp was three and a half months on, it was a little too long. I’ll have like an average weight cut for this one, it won’t be an issue at all. I’ve never had an issue making 170,” says Morono in an exclusive interview with Fightful’s James Lynch.
Morono is in need of a big win at UFC Fight Night Beijing, as he has only won just three of six thus far during his UFC tenure.
One thing Morono knows is that when he steps into the Octagon against Song on Saturday, swinging for the fences will not be an option for victory.
“I’ve been drilling all the takedown stuff, I know how I go fight time. I think that’s its gonna be standing most of the time and really making sure I don’t let him get comfortable with his range, but I’m not sure…he’s been pretty consistent on his tape. So we’ll see if there gonna change things up, I know he’ s a pretty big guy…pretty strong. He’s got power in his hands, but every welterweight has power in their hands. So I’m not putting too much stress on that, I wanna land as much volume as possible and if he’s hurt…go after the finish. Not just try to swing for the fences, not for this one,” says Morono.
UFC Fight Night Beijing is set for Saturday, November 24 from the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, China with Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on UFC Fight Pass.