John Moraga
Active 2012–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 78.0
Scouting report
John Moraga, an NCAA Division I wrestler at Arizona State University, earned a title challenge against Demetrious Johnson early in the flyweight division's history. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Moraga built his game around pocket boxing and guillotine chokes, reflected in an 82 Cardio and 78 Boxing.
Peak ratings
By edition
Moraga entered the UFC flyweight scene with a knockout of Ulysses Gomez and a submission of Chris Cariaso via guillotine choke, earning a title shot against Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Fox 8 in July 2013. Despite being submitted in the fifth round, Moraga rebounded with a decision over Dustin Ortiz. His finishing instincts and boxing are reflected in his 78 Boxing and 82 Cardio.
In 2014 and 2015, Moraga posted submission wins over Justin Scoggins and Willie Gates, while dropping a stoppage loss to John Dodson and a decision to Joseph Benavidez at UFC 187. His front chokes, counter-striking, and top pressure against contenders are reflected in his 78 Boxing and 78 Wrestling.
John Moraga and the wrestler who got a title shot
John Moraga grew up in Phoenix and wrestled at Arizona State, where he was a two-time University Freestyle All-American. He began his pro career in 2009 with Rage in the Cage, went unbeaten through his first six, and lost to John Dodson in 2010. He signed with the top promotion in 2012. A first-round knockout and a guillotine submission in his first two fights there put him across the cage from Demetrious Johnson in 2013. He is a balanced pick with a wrestling base and a real title fight on his résumé.
How the Moraga numbers break down
Boxing. Cleaner than a wrestler's boxing usually is. He knocked out Magomed Bibulatov in the first round in 2017.
Kickboxing. Only a little behind his hands, and there is no big kicking moment on his record to point at.
Wrestling. His base, built at Arizona State in a program that puts wrestlers through real competition.
BJJ. He submitted Justin Scoggins with a guillotine in 2014 and Willie Gates with a rear-naked choke later that year.
Strength. The lowest number on the card. His finishes came from position and timing.
Durability. He lost the 2014 rematch with Dodson by TKO between rounds and lost to Deiveson Figueiredo by TKO in 2018.
Cardio. His best rating. Against Demetrious Johnson he was still landing in the fourth round of a five-round fight.
Fight IQ. He chained strikes and takedowns sensibly, though he dropped a split decision to Matheus Nicolau in 2016.
He fights five rounds without getting worse
Cardio is his top rating at 82. He hurt Demetrious Johnson with a punch in the fourth round of their title fight, which is not something most challengers manage that late. In a game that rewards fighters who are still functional in the championship rounds, that is his best trait.
Not much force behind the takedowns
Strength is his lowest attribute at 72. Johnson wore him down with wrestling in the later rounds and submitted him with an armbar in the fifth. A thick opponent who can win the clinch battle can neutralize the wrestling that is supposed to be his base, and he lost decisions to Joseph Benavidez in 2015 and Sergio Pettis in 2017.
Keep exploring
Closest flyweight profiles to John Moraga, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Dustin Ortizbest cardio 86 · weakest strength 73
- David Dvorakbest cardio 85 · weakest strength 71
- Ian McCallbest cardio 86 · weakest strength 72
- Zach Makovskybest cardio 84 · weakest strength 71
- Flyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits John Moraga's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft John Moraga into your build
John Moraga enters the pool on any spin landing on flyweight between 2010 and 2015. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how John Moraga is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of John Moraga's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.