Alex Morono 'surprised, but happy' to get booked vs. Court McGee for UFC Fight Night 240

LAS VEGAS – Alex Morono was a bit caught off guard when he was matched up against veteran Court McGee – but he’s not complaining.

Morono (23-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC) returns to the cage this Saturday, taking on McGee (21-12 MMA, 10-11 UFC) on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 240 at the UFC Apex. It was a matchup he didn’t see coming, but one that he’s glad that he got.

“It’s funny, of everyone on the card, he’s got the most UFC fights and I have the second most,” Morono said at Wednesday’s media day. “I think between the two of us, it’s like 40 UFC fights, which is awesome. I was surprised, but happy to get that name and fight a vet.

“I’ve been watching him since ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and pretty much all of his fights since, and he’s a gamer. He’s gone the distance with a lot of high level guys, and I’m expecting this fight to be gritty, and I do expect it to go all three rounds.”

Morono sees this fight ending in a decision, given how tough and experienced the 39-year-old McGee is. Yet, despite the tough task, Morono is looking to put away the veteran.

“He’s got so much octagon time, that’s a harder question to really analyze and answer more than you think,” Morono said when asked about the matchup.” I’m always going to look for the KO. We’re going to grapple in this fight, that I guarantee. A KO is a gold medal, a submission is a silver medal, and a decision is a bronze medal, so I’m just looking to get that gold, for sure.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 240.