Tommy “Rambo” Morrisson showcased his skills last Friday at Samourai MMA Chapter 14 in Montréal, Québec. This event marked the first official defense of his Samourai flyweight title, won by Morrisson via fourth-round TKO in June 2024. The match against Christopher Daniel followed a previous catchweight bout at 128 pounds, and fans were eager to see how Morrisson would perform in this championship setting at the Montréal Casino.
After his victory, Morrisson expressed satisfaction with his performance. He noted that this was the first time in his career he fought a full 25 minutes, which significantly boosts his confidence. Completing a full fight at high intensity reassures him about his cardio and endurance during championship rounds. Morrisson was aware of the threat posed by Daniel, a jiu-jitsu black belt with eight of his nine wins coming by way of finish, six of which were submissions. However, Morrisson dominated the grappling exchanges, controlling Daniel and delivering more damage for the majority of the fight.
During the bout, you might have noticed Daniel landed several upkicks in round three. Morrisson reflected on this moment, admitting he was initially surprised, thinking those strikes were illegal. However, he clarified that none of them connected cleanly, maintaining his focus throughout the fight.
This performance could very well be considered Morrisson’s best outing to date. His improvements were clear: he executed successful takedowns in every round with near 100% accuracy. Morrisson employed front kicks to maintain optimal distance and set up effective boxing combinations, targeting both body and head. This strategic approach pushed Daniel back continuously, making Morrisson's takedowns nearly unstoppable. Almost every attempt saw the fight hitting the canvas.
In earlier fights, Morrisson sometimes relied on repetitive entry moves that opponents could predict. This tendency was evident in his matches against Binaebi Otoru, Diego Silva, and Edwin Martinez, all of which are available for viewing on Samourai MMA’s official website and YouTube channel. However, considering those were his initial professional bouts, many fans agree this can be overlooked. Morrisson’s evolution reflects a more sophisticated use of rhythm and striking, leading enthusiasts to speculate about his promising future.
A significant factor in Morrisson’s growth is his coaching at Tristar Gym under Firas Zahabi. This past weekend was fruitful for the Tristar team, with three fighters claiming victory at Samourai, along with Zahabi’s brother, Aiemann, defeating Jose Aldo at UFC 315. The Montreal-based gym is well-known for producing high-profile fighters, including current top-10 UFC featherweight Arnold Allen, two-time PFL champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier, and MMA legend Georges St-Pierre. Morrisson, now a 26-year-old undefeated fighter, seems to be the latest gem emerging from this respected camp.
Looking ahead, Morrisson is focused on balancing his academic pursuits while continuing his fighting career. He plans to complete his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and intends to fight once more before the end of the year. After competing three times in 2023 and 2024, he'll scale back his fight schedule to prioritize his studies. His ambition is to enter 2026 ready for a direct path into the UFC, potentially bypassing Dana White’s Contender Series or The Ultimate Fighter.
With a well-defined plan and performances like the one displayed last Friday, the future looks bright for Tommy Morrisson. Fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his potential in the world of mixed martial arts.
