M. Moraes is on a three-fight win streak at bantamweight. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
Marlon moraes He showed Ultimate in the last three fights that he deserves to fight for the bantamweight belt. The Brazilian has achieved two surprising knockouts in his last three appearances. Thus, 'Magic' challenged the champion TJ Dillashaw for the title of the category, but the franchise chose him to meet again Raphael Assunção at UFC Fortaleza on February 2nd. Meanwhile, the North American will star in the superfight with Henry Cejudo for the flyweight belt at UFC Brooklyn.
During a press conference in Fortaleza, Marlon stated that Dillashaw is avoiding facing the Brazilians by opting to fight Cejudo. He also asked that the confrontation in the capital of Ceará be for the interim bantamweight belt. Thus, the winner will have the opportunity to face TJ next.
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“Today I see Raphael and I as the two biggest in the category to challenge. I think this fight should have been for the interim belt, because the champion is moving to the lower category. When a guy moves up in weight, he's challenging himself and facing a bigger guy, but when you fight against smaller guys, he's looking for a slightly easier path. Both Raphael and I deserved a fight for the interim belt, and to show that this guy will actually face one of the two of us, because it seems like he is looking for an easier path, despite being a great fighter”, said Marlon.
In the first clash between the bantamweights, Raphael got the better of Marlon in a split decision at UFC 212 in July 2017. To achieve his goal of being the next challenger for the bantamweight title, Moraes will have to beat the tormentor in the reunion in the capital Ceará. The former WSOF champion's strategy is to be more aggressive to achieve a knockout over Assunção.
“I think I'm going to be a little more aggressive in this fight and do what the public likes: punching and going for it, bringing the fight to where I like it too, which is a lot of violence. I like violence in my fights, and the public that comes to watch likes to see an athlete looking for a knockout, and that's what I do. I like to go in there and knock people out, and that’s what the public likes to see”, concluded Moraes.
Marlon moraes is in fourth place in the division ranking. After the defeat to Assunção, he won three consecutive victories. The Friborg native has 27 fights in his record, with 21 wins, five defeats and one draw. In the last 17 fights, the fighter had 16 victories and two knockouts won the 'Performance of the Night' bonus.
Raphael Assunção occupies third place in the ranking of roosters. He has a streak of four wins in two years. The Pernambuco native has 32 fights in his record, with 27 wins and five losses.
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