UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Neal has added a final fight to its lineup when Anthony Pettis faces Alex Morono on December 19.
After Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev’s main event was canceled, Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal was bumped up to the main event, but there was still a slot open for another bout. Enter former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and Alex Morono.
ESPN broke the news of Anthony Pettis and Alex Morono completing the Dec. 19 lineup on short notice. This bout between Pettis and Morono will undoubtedly be the biggest opportunity in Morono’s four-year UFC career. Not only is Anthony Pettis a big and established name, but he is currently the #12-ranked welterweight while Morono is unranked.
After losing two straight, Anthony Pettis was able to get his first win since March of last year when he defeated Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision at UFC 249. Pettis has only had two welterweight fights since 2008, beginning with a successful debut over Stephen Thompson with a Performance of the Night-winning KO punch. Pettis’s next bout was not as successful, however, with Nate Diaz getting the nod via unanimous decision at UFC 241. After being victorious at lightweight in his most recent bout against Cerrone, Pettis will look to go 2-1 in the UFC’s welterweight division and 2-2 for 2020.
Since Alex Morono’s UFC debut in 2016, he has turned in a 7-3 record in the promotion, including winning four of his last five bouts. Most recently, Morono defeated Rhys McKee just two weeks ago at UFC on ESPN: Felder vs. Dos Anjos. He will now make a significant leap in competition when he takes on a former champion coming off a victory.
With this last-minute addition, the current lineup for the December 19 Fight Night is:
Main Event: Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font
Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera
Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono
Greg Hardy vs. Marcin Tybura
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape
Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann
Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad
Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams
Deron Winn vs. Antonio Braga Neto
Belal Muhammad vs. Dhiego Lima
Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett
Rick Glenn vs. Carlton Minus
Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
Who do you believe will emerge victorious between Anthony Pettis and Alex Morono on December 19?
