Carlos Leal scored his first UFC victory on March 8, 2025, defeating Alex Morono by TKO during the preliminary card of UFC 313 held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Coming off of two consecutive losses, Morono was under pressure to win, as was Leal, who was also seeking redemption after having suffered a controversial unanimous decision loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC 308.
Entering the octagon as the biggest favorite on the card, with odds stacked at -700 against Morono's +500, Leal wasted no time establishing dominance. From the beginning, he aggressively pressured Morono, forcing him onto the defensive. Despite Morono putting up a valiant effort, he found himself consistently on the back foot as Leal unleashed lethal combinations.
Leal’s early strategy was effective, bombarding Morono with powerful strikes which included well-placed knees and elbows aimed at the head and body, driving Morono to the cage. Morono attempted to fight back with wild hooks and overhands, but nothing seemed to deter Leal's relentless assault. The referee, Keith Peterson, saw Morono struggling to mount any meaningful offense and eventually stepped in to halt the contest at 4:16 of the first round.
Post-fight, Leal expressed relief and excitement for his performance, stating emphatically, "I believe I am 2-0 inside the octagon," reflecting on his previous bout against Fakhretdinov. This victory marked a significant rebound for Leal, improving his record to 1-1 within the UFC and raising his overall professional MMA record to 22-6.
For Morono, the loss was particularly painful, dropping his UFC record to 13-9 and overall MMA record to 24-12. Despite the setback, Morono’s reputation as a tough competitor remains intact. He faced the pressure with resilience, and his willingness to engage with Leal signifies the heart he possesses as a fighter.
The finish was brutal, and highlights from the fight have been circulating online, showcasing Leal's ferocity and skill. The UFC community is buzzing about Leal's potential to become more than just another fighter within the promotion; he is now viewed as someone who can make noise in the welterweight division. Morono, on the other hand, will need to reassess his strategy and find ways to bounce back from this setback.
Leal's performance has set the stage for exciting possibilities within the UFC, with fans already speculating what's next for the Brazilian fighter after scoring his first official victory. With promising momentum on his side, he looks to continue building his legacy, standing as another example of the depth of talent within the UFC's welterweight division.