MMA Match Preview: Matt Schnell (17-9, 1 NC) vs. Joseph Morales (14-2)

Venue & Event Details

Event: UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brown

Location: UFC Apex, Enterprise (Las Vegas), Nevada

Start Time: Main card begins 7:00 p.m. ET; Schnell vs. Morales walkouts ~9:15 p.m. ET

Broadcast: ESPN+ (USA), TNT Sports (UK)

Injury & Availability Report

Matt Schnell: No reported injuries; cleared after a unanimous decision win over Jimmy Flick earlier in 2025.

Joseph Morales: No reported injuries; enters fight healthy, riding momentum from recent finishes.

Recent Form & Fight History

Matt Schnell

W vs. Jimmy Flick (UD, 2025)

L vs. Tatsuro Taira (SUB, 2024)

L vs. Matheus Nicolau (KO, 2023)

Known for chaotic brawls, slick jiu-jitsu, and comeback ability (notably his 2022 submission win vs. Sumudaerji).

Joseph Morales

W streak in regional promotions before UFC return.

W vs. Victor Altamirano (SUB, 2024)

W vs. CJ Vergara (TKO, 2023)

Style: Aggressive grappler with opportunistic submissions, mixes striking with scrambles.

Betting Trends

Schnell has been finished in 3 of his last 5 losses, raising durability concerns.

Morales has finished 4 of his last 5 wins, mostly by submission.

Market strongly favors Morales due to youth, momentum, and grappling edge.

Public bettors lean Morales ML, while sharp bettors sprinkle Schnell by submission at long odds.

Key Takeaway

This is a veteran vs. surging contender matchup: Schnell brings experience, grit, and submission savvy, while Morales offers youth, momentum, and finishing instincts. Oddsmakers favor Morales, but Schnell’s opportunistic grappling makes him a dangerous underdog in a fight likely to end inside the distance.

FIGHT ODDS

Matt Schnell                      + 215

Joseph Morales                – 265

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 7, 2025