M. Moraes regrets Dillashaw's situation. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook ufcbrasil
Marlon moraes would, theoretically, be the biggest beneficiary of drug doping TJ Dillashaw. The Brazilian, number one in the bantamweight rankings, would be the natural choice to compete for the vacant division title. However, this was not the Nova Friburgo fighter’s desire.
In an interview with the Combate channel website, Marlon lamented the situation TJ was experiencing and revealed that his goal was to take the belt from the North American. However, despite Dillashaw's doping, he does not rule out a fight with his rival in the future.
“Unfortunately, that happened with Dillashaw. Personally, I wanted to fight him, I wanted to beat him. He was the guy who got there and dominated the category. But I will fight him one day, and I will beat him. I didn’t expect it and this happened, it surprised everyone,” he said.
Moraes also analyzed the division's scenario and projected who the possible opponents would be in the fight for the vacant bantamweight title.
“I, as number one (in the rankings), am practically guaranteed this title fight, there is no way it could be two others. It has to be someone against me. And I see (Aljamain) Sterling, who is the American, the Peter Munhoz (Brazilian) and (Henry) Cejudo, who is not a guy in the category but we never know what could happen”, he added.
the american TJ Dillashaw was caught in a potential violation of Ultimate's anti-doping policy in his last fight, at UFC Brooklyn in January. The doping announcement was made by the fighter himself through a post on Instagram.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) suspended the fighter preventively for 12 months and, for this reason, TJ gave up the bantamweight belt.
