Raphael Assunção supports Marlon's request for interim bantamweight belt at UFC Fortaleza

R. Assunção is third in the ranking of roosters. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @raphaassuncao

Raphael Assunção e Marlon moraes will have their rematch in the main fight of UFC Fortaleza this Saturday (02). Ultimate president Dana White guaranteed that the winner will be the next challenger for the bantamweight title. However, before that, the organization can confirm the superfight between Henry Cejudo e TJ Dillashaw for the belt in the up to 61kg category.

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Moraes wants a rematch with Assunção for the interim bantamweight belt

Raphael Assunção and Marlon Moraes have a rematch in the main fight of UFC Fortaleza

With that in mind, Assunção asked that the rematch with Moraes be valid for the interim bantamweight belt. Marlon had already made the same request to Ultimate when the confrontation was confirmed. The fighters want to compete for the interim title to guarantee a fight to unify the belts.

PUBLICITY:

“His idea is cool, I heard him say it in an interview a few months ago. Interesting that he mentioned that there. I think it should. It could deservedly be real (to have an interim belt)”, said Assunção in an interview with the Combate channel website.

The Brazilian wants a guarantee that another fighter doesn't 'jump the queue' and get ahead of him in a title fight. Assunção admitted that he saw Dominick Cruz, Urijah faber, Dillashaw and cody garbrandt have their opportunities, while he was left aside.

PUBLICITY:

“It certainly worries me, because, professionally speaking, Dominick has been eliminated at the moment, and now another comes along… (Editor’s note: Dominick Cruz was injured in December and had to withdraw from a fight against John Lineker, scheduled for January). But that's MMA, there are always factors that can help you and can hinder you. This is part of MMA, we have to be prepared for that too” concluded Raphael.