UFC Fight Night 191: David Zawada vs Alex Morono Picks, Odds, and Predictions

Alex Morono and David Zawada fight Saturday in UFC Fight Night 191 at the UFC Apex. Morono enters this fight with a 19-7 record and has won 32 percent of his fights by knockout. Zawada enters this fight with a 17-6 record and has won 65 percent of his fights by knockout.

Morono has won five of his last seven fights and is coming off a May win over Donald Cerrone. Morono is averaging 5.05 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 42 percent. Morono is averaging 0.43 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 25 percent. Morono is coming off a first round knockout at UFC on ESPN 24 that earned performance of the night honors. Morono now has six career knockout wins and looks for his second win of the year. Morono now has eight career wins under the UFC banner and is a black belt in both BJJ and Taekwondo. Morono is a balanced fighter with a submission game and knockout power and is fresh off one of his better showings of his career. Morono has never been submitted in his career. This will be Morono’s fifth career fight in Nevada.

Zawada has split his last six fights and is coming off a January loss to Ramazan Emeev. Zawada is averaging 3.24 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 40 percent. Zawada is averaging 0.96 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 30 percent. Zawada is coming off a split decision loss at UFC on ABC 1 where he landed 101 total strikes and produced four takedowns. You can argue Zawada should have won the fight, but he’s been on the losing side in three of his last four bouts. Zawada is a power striker who can be a bit wild at times, but he throws a lot of shots and has produced 11 career knockouts. Zawada has produced submissions in his last two victories and has four submissions for his career. Zawada also has decent takedown defense that’s improved over the years as well. Three of Zawada’s six career losses have been decided by decision. This will be Zawada’s first career fight in the United States.

This should be a fun, competitive fight that is as close to a toss up as any fight on the card. Zawada has the size advantage and his pop makes him intriguing in the underdog role. However, Morono is the more accurate striker, better defensively on the feet and is more polished his submission game. Morono is simply the more balanced fighter and more trustworthy at this stage.

Give me Morono and the cheap price.