Vince Morales

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training MMA at 23/24 because I missed the competition aspect of wrestling. You learn a lot of things about yourself from competing, some good, some bad.

What professional titles have you held? I was the Featherweight champion for Front Street Fights back in Boise, ID and just recently won the Bantamweight Championship for United Fight League.

Any accomplishments in amateur combat sports? I was 8-1 as an amateur boxer and as a senior in high school I took first at the state tournament.

Any belts/ ranks in grappling disciplines? World’s Most Dangerous Purple belt in BJJ

Any belts/ ranks in striking disciplines? Just a few championship medals and trophies from my amateur boxing days.

What has been your toughest fight to date and why? It's hard to define tough. My third fight in the UFC against Chris Gutierrez was tough in terms of damage and I could only see through one eye. My fight where I won the featherweight championship at Front Street was very tough outside of the cage because my roommate/friend had just recently passed from a car accident, and I had a knee surgery a couple weeks before the fight.

What fight do you consider to be the key fight in your career and why?  This is the fight. I've had a lot of great moments throughout my career, and some not so great. But getting the job done May 2 is the only thing that matters.

Who is your favorite fighter and why? Cousin Ricky Simon But all time? Frankie Edgar for MMA. Roy Jones Jr. for boxing. 

Do you have any heroes outside of fighting? My Mom, RIP.

Is there a cause that you want to use your platform for? My cause is representing people who don’t have many opportunities where they’re from. I didn’t come from much, so if I can give someone belief to chase what lights them up, that’s what matters to me.

Beyond a championship or money, what motivates you? My motivation seems to shift from fight to fight but right now it’s simple. Set my family up for the future, prove who I am to myself and embracing the challenge I chose.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?  I went to Boise State University for one semester where I was studying sports psychology. Family matters led me to dropping out early unfortunately. 

What was your job before you started fighting? Before and during the first part of my MMA career I was involved in sales and management.

Origin of nickname: I use my middle name Vandetta as my nickname, so every time, I’m just announced by my full name.

Tell us about your life outside of fighting: Fighting is pretty well my life, even my wife Shino VanHoose trains and competes. But I do have an English bulldog, his name is Atlas and a cat named Andy. Got a few hobbies, I collect some trading cards and comic books (mostly X-Men). Fully embracing the nerd I am. I also dabble in some video games. Mostly some retro stuff from childhood. I am one of 13 siblings (including step siblings). We all grew up in the small town of around 10,000 people in Ontario, OR. In my free time away from the gym I train people in MMA and self-defense. I also run an app called React Workouts, which is essentially a virtual boxing/MMA coach. It gives custom call outs during a round at random intervals {combinations, defensive actions, movements, etc).