LAS VEGAS – Venezuelan lightweight Omar Morales extended his perfect pro record with a thrilling second-round TKO finish in the featured bout of Dana White’s Contender Series 23 in Las Vegas, impressing the UFC president enough to earn himself a UFC contract.
Morales (8-0) showcased his power-striking game as he dismantled LFA champion Harvey Park (12-3) with strikes to close the show in style at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and told reporters afterward that his performance was a fair reflection of the type of action he likes to bring to his fights.
“It was basically my style of fighting,” Morales told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. “I’m a very explosive fighter, and I reached my goal, which was to cause a lot of emotions within the audience.”
Morales finished the fight with a powerful right hand, but it was his leg kicks that laid the groundwork for him to claim the stoppage with punches. He said his first kick of the bout alerted him to an opening that would eventually help him to victory.
“I noticed with the first kick that I landed that I hurt my opponent, but that wasn’t the main objective there,” Morales said. “Studying the tapes, my opponent didn’t have any footwork, that he was heavy on his feet, so it made it an easy target for me to go for, that front leg.
“Before (the second round) started, I was just listening to my corner and my corner told me that I had definitely hurt him. So I just followed my instructions, followed my commands and I ended up with the win.”
And, after a week that saw criticism sent referee Herb Dean’s way for some questionable stoppages at UFC on ESPN 5, Morales had some words of praise for the official for the way he handled the stoppage of his particular fight.
“I noticed that (Park) felt my punches,” Morales said. “But even though he felt my punches, I noticed in his body language that he didn’t want to fight, and Herb Dean did a great job intervening and avoiding my opponent from getting hurt.”
With his eighth career win secured, and the glowing praise of UFC president White still fresh in his mind, Morales was understandably elated. He encouraged others to chase their dreams, just as he has.
“My advice for all of you guys who have a dream to achieve is to go for it, believe in yourself and once you reach that goal you’ll feel just like me,” Morales said. “There’s no way to describe it, it’s just a feeling. I’m feeling something amazing right now, and I cannot put it into words.”
