John Moraga

Last updated

John Moraga
Born (1984-03-20) March 20, 1984 (age 40)
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) [1]
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
Division Flyweight
Bantamweight
Featherweight
Reach66 in (168 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, United States
TeamArizona Combat Sports
MMA Lab
Wrestling NCAA Division I Wrestling [2]
Years active2009–present (MMA)
2012, 2019–present (boxing)
Professional boxing record
Total4
Wins1
By knockout1
Losses3
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins19
By knockout3
By submission8
By decision8
Losses7
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision4
Other information
University Arizona State University
Notable school(s) Maryvale High School
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

John Anthony Moraga [3] (born March 20, 1984) is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist who competes as a flyweight and featherweight in MMA and boxing, respectively. He is best known for his lengthy career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship which saw him challenge for the UFC Flyweight Championship in 2013.

Contents

Background

Moraga was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Maryvale High School and then chose to go to Arizona State University where he was a two-time University Freestyle All-American wrestler for the Sun Devils. [4]

Mixed martial arts career

Moraga started his professional career at 2009 in Arizona for the local organization Rage in the Cage. There he achieved an undefeated record of 6–0, until his fight against John Dodson at 2010, in which he lost via unanimous decision. After this setback he won five straight bouts to make his way into the UFC. He is of Mexican heritage.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Moraga was expected his promotional debut against Ian McCall on August 4, 2012 at UFC on Fox 4. [5] However, McCall was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Ulysses Gomez. [6] Moraga won the fight via KO in the first round. [7]

Moraga next faced Chris Cariaso on December 29, 2012 at UFC 155. [8] Moraga was victorious with a third round guillotine choke submission. His victory also earned him Submission of the Night honors. [9]

Moraga was expected to face Demetrious Johnson for the UFC Flyweight Championship on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. [10] However, Johnson was forced out of the bout with an injury and Moraga was removed from the event as well. [11]

Moraga eventually faced Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Fox 8 on July 27, 2013. Moraga showed promise in the first round as he landed some good strikes standing. However, the champion began to wear him down with his wrestling. Despite hurting Johnson in the fourth round with a punch, he lost the fight via submission in the fifth round. [12]

Moraga was expected to face Darren Uyenoyama on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9. [13] However, Moraga pulled out of the bout with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alptekin Ozkilic. [14]

Moraga faced Dustin Ortiz on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35. [15] He won the fight via split decision. [16]

A rematch with John Dodson took place on June 7, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 42. [17] He lost the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage between rounds two and three after a knee Dodson threw late in the second round broke Moraga's nose. [18]

Moraga faced Justin Scoggins on September 5, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 50. [19] Moraga defeated Scoggins via submission in the second round, securing a guillotine choke after being taken down. [20]

Moraga was expected to face Jussier Formiga on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. [21] However, Formiga pulled out of the fight on November 21 and was replaced by Willie Gates. [22] [23] Moraga won the fight via submission in the third round. [24]

Moraga faced Joseph Benavidez on May 23, 2015 at UFC 187. [25] Moraga lost the back and forth fight via unanimous decision. [26]

Moraga faced Matheus Nicolau on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale [27] He lost the fight via split decision. [28]

Moraga was expected to face Zach Makovsky on December 10, 2016 at UFC 206. [29] However, Moraga pulled out of the fight in early November citing injury and was replaced by Dustin Ortiz. [30]

Moraga next faced Sergio Pettis on January 15, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 103. [31] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [32]

Moraga faced promotional newcomer Ashkan Mokhtarian on June 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110. [33] He won the one-sided fight by unanimous decision. [34]

Moraga faced Magomed Bibulatov on October 7, 2017 at UFC 216. [35] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. [36] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [37]

Moraga faced Wilson Reis on April 14, 2018 at UFC on Fox 29. [38] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [39]

Moraga faced Deiveson Figueiredo on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135. [40] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. [41]

On February 7, 2019, it was reported that Moraga was released from the UFC. [42]

Post-UFC career

Moraga was supposed to face Hector Sandoval at ARES 2 on April 3, 2020. [43] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed until October 30, 2020, before being cancelled altogether. [44]

Professional boxing career

Just before joining ranks of the UFC, Moraga made his professional boxing debut against Jose Marrufo, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

After he was released from the UFC in 2019, he continued with his boxing career by defeating Brandon Foss via technical knockout in the second round. [45]

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
25 matches17 wins8 losses
By knockout22
By submission81
By decision75
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss19–7 Deiveson Figueiredo TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 201823:08 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Win19–6 Wilson Reis Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje April 14, 201835:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win18–6 Magomed Bibulatov KO (punch) UFC 216 October 7, 201711:38 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win17–6 Ashkan Mokhtarian Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt June 11, 201735:00 Auckland, New Zealand
Loss16–6 Sergio Pettis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn January 17, 201735:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss16–5 Matheus Nicolau Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale July 8, 201635:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss16–4 Joseph Benavidez Decision (unanimous) UFC 187 May 23, 201535:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16–3 Willie Gates Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic December 13, 201434:06 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win15–3 Justin Scoggins Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Mousasi September 5, 201420:47 Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Loss14–3 John Dodson TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov June 7, 201425:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Win14–2 Dustin Ortiz Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 201435:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States
Loss13–2 Demetrious Johnson Submission (armbar) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga July 27, 201353:43 Seattle, Washington, United StatesFor the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win13–1 Chris Cariaso Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 155 December 29, 201231:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesSubmission of the Night.
Win12–1 Ulysses Gomez KO (elbows and punches) UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera August 4, 201213:46 Los Angeles, California, United StatesFlyweight debut.
Win11–1Jose CarbajalDecision (unanimous)Cage Rage: On the River 2July 7, 201235:00 Parker, Arizona, United States
Win10–1Maurice SentersDecision (unanimous)Rage in the Cage 160June 22, 201235:00 Chandler, Arizona, United StatesWon the RITC Bantamweight Championship.
Win9–1Matthew GarciaSubmission (armbar)Coalition of Combat: The Bangers BallFebruary 25, 201213:10 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win8–1Freddie LuxSubmission (guillotine choke)Trilogy Championship Fighting: Rumble at the Ranch 2November 5, 201110:49 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesWon the TCF Bantamweight Championship.
Win7–1Nathaniel BakerSubmission (armbar)Martinez Brothers Production: Sun City BattleJuly 9, 201132:27 El Paso, Texas, United States
Loss6–1 John Dodson Decision (unanimous) Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion December 11, 201035:00 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Win6–0Aldo EscuderoDecision (unanimous)Rage in the Cage 143July 31, 201035:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win5–0Travis HalversonSubmission (guillotine choke)Rage in the Cage 142June 26, 201011:17 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win4–0Pat DonovanSubmission (triangle choke)Rage in the Cage 140March 20, 201021:12 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win3–0Evan MortonDecision (unanimous)Rage in the Cage 139February 13, 201033:00 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win2–0Al DecastroTKO (punches)Rage in the Cage 138December 4, 200911:15 Mesa, Arizona, United States
Win1–0Sam ShapiroDecision (unanimous)Rage in the Cage 136November 7, 200933:00 Prescott Valley, Arizona, United States

Professional boxing record

4 fights1 win3 losses
By knockout11
By decision02
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
4Loss1–3 Flag of the United States.svg Marc Castro TKO2 (4), 2:2927 Feb 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S.
3Loss1–2 Flag of the United States.svg Duke Ragan UD43 Oct 2020 Flag of the United States.svg MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
2Win1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Brandon FossTKO2 (4), 1:3012 Oct 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler, Arizona, US
1Loss0–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Jose MarrufoUD412 Apr 2012 Flag of the United States.svg El Zaribah Shriners Auditorium, Phoenix, Arizona, US

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilson Reis</span> Brazilian mixed martial artist

Wilson Reis is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. Reis is the former EliteXC Bantamweight Champion and has also competed for UFC, Bellator, ShoXC and Cage Warriors. Reis also appeared as an assistant Jiu-Jitsu coach in Dominick Cruz's team on The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

Scott Roger Jorgensen is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Jorgensen has formerly competed for the UFC, WEC, and ShoXC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Cejudo</span> American Olympic wrestler and MMA fighter (born 1987)

Henry Carlos Cejudo is an American professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Flyweight Champion and Bantamweight Champion. Cejudo is the fourth UFC fighter to hold titles in two different weight classes simultaneously, and the second to defend titles in two different weight divisions. He is considered to be among the greatest combat athletes of all time due to his accomplishments in MMA and freestyle wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Benavidez</span> American mixed martial artist

Joseph Rolando Benavidez is an American former professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the Flyweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jussier Formiga</span> Brazilian martial artist (born 1985)

Jussier Formiga is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, Formiga most notably competed in the UFC and is the former Shooto South America 123-pound champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demetrious Johnson</span> American mixed martial artist (born 1986)

Demetrious Khrisna Johnson is an American former professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was the inaugural and former UFC Flyweight Champion with 11 title defenses. Johnson most recently competed in ONE Championship, where he is the former ONE Flyweight Champion. He also holds the record for most finishes in UFC flyweight history with 7. Johnson is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

Chris Vincent Cariaso is a retired Filipino-American mixed martial artist who competed as a Flyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Zachary Paul "Zach" Makovsky is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the flyweight division of the Brave Combat Federation. He has competed in EliteXC, ShoXC, Bellator, and Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion.

Ian Gregory McCall is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions of several prominent MMA promotions, including Ultimate Fighting Championship, Rizin Fighting Federation and World Extreme Cagefighting. He is also a former TPF Flyweight Champion. In between his fights in January 2015 and December 2017, he had been booked for six consecutive cancelled fights, four of which were cancelled during the week of.

John Dodson is an American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer who competes in the flyweight divisions of Rizin Fighting Federation and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where in the latter promotion, he is the inaugural and current BKFC Flyweight Champion. A professional mixed martial arts competitor since 2004, Dodson has made a name for himself fighting mainly in the Southwest region. He was the winner of the Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller and competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship where he was a two-time title challenger, competing most recently in the bantamweight division, and is a veteran of the promotion with nine years of competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2012

UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 5, 2012, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was the fifth UFC event broadcast live on FX.

Sergio Jerome Pettis is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed with Bellator MMA, where he is the former Bellator Bantamweight Champion. Prior to signing with Bellator, Pettis competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he fought in both the Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2013

UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga was a mixed martial arts event held on July 27, 2013, at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The event was broadcast live on FX and Fox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2013

UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 was a mixed martial arts event held on December 14, 2013, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. It was the UFC's third visit to the venue, after UFC 65 and UFC 73.

Dustin Ortiz is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division and is currently signed to the Brave CF. A professional competitor since 2010, Ortiz has also formerly competed for the UFC, RFA, Tachi Palace Fights, King of the Cage and Strikeforce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic</span> MMA event in 2014

UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic was a mixed martial arts event held at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 13, 2014.

Ray Borg, is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor until 2023, Borg is best known for his 12–fight tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he competed primarily in the Flyweight division. Before that, he made a name for himself fighting mostly in his native Southwestern United States, competing in promotions like King of the Cage and Legacy Fighting Championship.

Willie Gates is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, he has competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, Tachi Palace Fights, and Bellator MMA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2017

UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on January 15, 2017, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deiveson Figueiredo</span> Brazilian mixed martial artist (born 1987)

Deiveson Alcântara Figueiredo is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has also competed in the Flyweight division, where he is a former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion. As of August 6, 2024, he is #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

References

  1. 1 2 "Fight Card - UFC 187 Johnson vs. Cormier". UFC.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  2. Michael Riordan (July 28, 2013). "Dear UFC, John Moraga and Jake Ellenberger Were Never Collegiate All-Americans". Bloody Elbow.
  3. "MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS : May 23, 2015 : MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas" (PDF). Boxing.nv.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  4. Shaun Al-Shatti (July 23, 2013). "John Moraga: flyweight's mystery man". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  5. MMAjunkie.com staff (July 19, 2012). "Ian McCall vs. John Moraga added to UFC on FOX 4 in Los Angeles". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  6. Ulysses Gomez replaces injured Ian McCall at UFC on Fox 4 by Tristen Critchfield (Sherdog.com) on July 23, 2012
  7. Matt Erickson (August 4, 2012). "UFC on FOX 4 results: John Moraga knocks out Ulysses Gomez in flyweights' UFC debuts". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  8. MMAjunkie.com staff (November 22, 2012). "John Moraga vs. Chris Cariaso slotted for UFC 155 in Las Vegas". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  9. "UFC 155 Bonuses: Miller, Lauzon, Duffee, Moraga Earn $65,000 Awards". mmajnkie.com. December 30, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  10. Dave Doyle (February 11, 2013). "Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga headlines TUF 17 Finale". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  11. MMAjunkie.com staff (February 26, 2013). "Demetrious Johnson injured, title fight with John Moraga off TUF 17 Finale". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  12. Dann Stupp (July 27, 2013). "Demetrious Johnson overpowers John Moraga, defends title". USAtoday.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  13. Luke Thomas (September 29, 2013). "Darren Uyenoyama vs. John Moraga set for UFC on FOX 9 fight card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  14. Dave Doyle (November 26, 2013). "Injury forces John Moraga out of UFC on FOX 9 bout with Darren Uyenoyama". mmafighting.com. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  15. Staff (December 5, 2013). "John Moraga vs. Dustin Ortiz added to UFC Fight Night 35 in Georgia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  16. ShinSplints (January 15, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 35 results: John Moraga ekes out split decision over Dustin Ortiz". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  17. Jesse Holland (March 26, 2014). "John Dodson vs John Moraga on tap for UFC Fight Night event on June 7 in Albuquerque". mmamania.com. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  18. Steven Marrocco (June 7, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 42 results, photos: John Dodson (and doc) stop John Moraga". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  19. Staff (August 2, 2014). "John Moraga vs. Justin Scoggins added to UFC Fight Night 50 in September". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  20. John Morgan (September 5, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 50 results: John Moraga chokes out Justin Scoggins". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  21. MMA Fighting Newswire (September 22, 2014). "John Moraga slated to face Jussier Formiga at UFC on FOX 13". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  22. John Morgan (November 21, 2014). "Jussier Formiga out at UFC on FOX 13, John Moraga needs new opponent". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  23. Guilherme Cruz (November 25, 2014). "Willie Gates replaces Jussier Formiga, meets John Moraga at UFC on FOX 13". mmafighting.com.
  24. Dave Doyle (December 13, 2014). "UFC on FOX 13 results: John Moraga rallies past Willie Gates in strange fight". mmafighting.com.
  25. MMA Fighting Newswire (February 18, 2015). "UFC 187 rounds out main card with fights between Andrei Arlovski-Travis Browne, John Moraga-Joseph Benavidez". mmafighting.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  26. Steven Marrocco (May 23, 2015). "UFC 187 results: Joseph Benavidez sweeps John Moraga in 'reckless,' wild slugfest". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  27. Shaun Al-Shatti (May 20, 2016). "UFC flyweight John Moraga returns against Matheus Nicolau at TUF 23 Finale". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  28. Ben Fowlkes (July 8, 2015). "TUF 23 Finale results: New flyweight Matheus Nicolau takes split from ex-title challenger John Moraga". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  29. Staff (October 5, 2015). "Light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier defends title at UFC 206 in Toronto vs. Anthony Johnson". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  30. Staff (November 7, 2016). "Ortiz replaces Moraga on UFC 206 card". tsn.ca. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  31. Staff (December 29, 2016). "John Moraga in for Formiga vs. Sergio Pettis, Drakkar Klose meets Devin Powell at UFC Fight Night 103". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  32. Andrew Pearson (January 15, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 103 results: Sergio Pettis topples John Moraga unanimously". mmamania.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  33. Alexander K. Lee (March 23, 2017). "Benavidez-Nguyen, Moraga-Mokhtarian added to UFC Auckland". thescore.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  34. Steven Marrocco (June 10, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 110 results: John Moraga outclasses newcomer Ashkan Mokhtarian to end skid". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  35. Mike Sloan (August 2, 2017). "UFC 216 bolstered with several bouts". sherdog.com. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  36. "UFC 216 results: John Moraga KOs 6-1 favorite Magomed Bibulatov with vicious left hand". MMAjunkie. October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  37. 1 2 "UFC 216 bonuses: Demetrious Johnson's late finish became his eighth UFC fight-night bonus". MMAjunkie. October 8, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  38. Staff (February 3, 2018). "Ex-title challengers John Moraga, Wilson Reis meet at UFC on FOX 29 in Arizona". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  39. "UFC on FOX 29 results: John Moraga wins heated scrap with Wilson Reis". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  40. Guilherme Cruz (June 21, 2018). "John Moraga meets Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Lincoln". mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  41. Erickson, Matt (August 26, 2018). "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Deiveson Figueiredo takes out John Moraga after body shot". mmajunkie.com. MMAjunkie. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  42. "Champ Henry Cejudo: UFC should tell me flyweight plans 'out of respect'". MMAjunkie. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  43. Carroll, Peter (January 28, 2020). "Nordine Taleb, John Moraga set for debuts at ARES 2 in Brussels on April 3". MMA Fighting. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  44. Michael Fiedel (March 6, 2020). "Upstart ARES FC promotion postpones second event due to coronavirus". thebodylockmma.com.
  45. Ariel Helwani [@arielhelwani] (October 13, 2019). "Former UFC title contender John Moraga competed in boxing last night. He won via 2nd round knockout. He is no longer with the UFC and wants to pursue a career in MMA and boxing, his manager Abraham Kawa says. He had one pro boxing fight in 2012 but nothing since" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  46. UFC on Fox 8 Factgrinder: The Wrestling of Demetrious Johnson and John Moraga by Mike Riordan (Bloodyelbow.com) on July 22, 2013
  47. NCAA wrestling championships await Sun Devils Thesundevils.com (March 13, 2007)
  48. John Espinoza - Arizona State University Thesundevils.com
  49. "Sherdog.com's 2012 All-Violence Team - First Team". m.sherdog.com.