M. Moraes (photo) does not rule out a fight against J. Aldo. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @mmarlonmoraes
The former challenger for the bantamweight title (up to 56,7kg.), Marlon moraes, showed interest in welcoming José Aldo, if Manauara makes its decision to venture into the lower category official. Coming from a defeat to the current champion, Henry Cejudo, the Friborg native speaks with respect about the 'People's Champion' and states, in an interview with 'Combate', that Aldo deserves to face the number one in the ranking without needing to climb towards the top of the division. Marlon says he is ready to act in December, at least UFC 245.
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“Not only is the fight with (José) Aldo a fight that interests me. José Aldo He's a legend of our sport, champion of the 145-pound (featherweight) category, and he's been saying he's going to move down to the 135-pound (bantamweight) category, and I'm number one (in the rankings). Nothing better than going down and fighting with number one,” said Moraes.
Just as he is respected by the Brazilian public, Aldo also showed that he has the admiration of the fighter class. Marlon, in the same interview, praised the man from Manaus, who he also stated did not need to face many battles to enter the category's spotlight.
“(Aldo) is a guy who deserves it. José Aldo You don't need to fight 53 fights to fight for the title. I think it would be a good opportunity for him to see if he can really make weight and prove himself to the UFC. And, by winning, he would directly fight for the belt, which is what he wants”, commented the Friborg native.
Dana White, president of Ultimate, has given conflicting statements about José's decision to move to the lower division. At first, the boss stated that he respects Aldo in any division, but later he seems to have changed his opinion. At times, White stated that the man from Manaus would not be able to reach the bantamweight weight limit, given that the Brazilian has a history of difficulties in reaching the featherweight limit; although he never failed a weight cut.
Marlon thinks differently than the UFC president. For the compatriot of the 'People's Champion', Aldo is involved with a team that will provide him with the ideal conditions to achieve his goal.
“I know him and I know that this cut wouldn’t be much for him. Indeed, people are sometimes impressed by his cut at 145 pounds (feathers), but, as everyone says, he exaggerates a little. I think he could make that weight, yes”, said Moraes.
If the company's board rules out the possibility of a clash between the Brazilians, the Friborg native, however, has other names he would like to face, among them, Dominick Cruz, former category champion.
“There are other guys too, like Petr yan, which is a guy I'm looking to fight with. Has the Dominick Cruz, who is about to fight now, and (Urijah) Faber. These are the guys I’m thinking about fighting,” concluded the athlete.
Marlon won the right to fight for the vacant bantamweight title against Henry Cejudo after achieving four consecutive victories within the company; one of them, for the compatriot Raphael Assunção, who was also responsible for Moraes' last setback (2017), before the defeat to Cejudo.
Today, at 31 years old, Marlon has 28 fights in his professional record, with 22 wins, five defeats and one draw.
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