Bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes avenged his only UFC loss on Saturday with a win in his rematch against Raphael Assuncao at UFC Fight Night 144 in Fortaleza, Brazil.
Moraes, a former World Series of Fighting champion, was aggressive from the outset, but it was two devastating right hands that sent Assuncao to the mat. After landing a few more punches from the top, Moraes transition into a position that allowed him to establish a guillotine choke for the win. Watch the incredible blows by Moraes which allowed him to set up the submission that followed.
It was sweet revenge for Moraes who suffered a split-decision loss to Assuncao at UFC 212 back in June 2017. It was his only loss since 2011. With the victory on Saturday, Moraes (22-5-1) has now won four-straight fights. With the win, Marlon Moraes has tied T.J. Dillashaw, Alejandro Perez, and Jose Quinonez for the longest active UFC win streak in the bantamweight division (four).
Following the win, Moraes not only revealed that he almost had to pull out of the fight due to diarrhea but also took a shot at current bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw. Moraes specifically called out Dillashaw's stunning loss to flyweight titleholder Henry Cejudo at UFC 233 in January.
“T.J. Dillashaw, I don’t know if you deserve the fight with me after your last performance. I may have to let you go down in weight and fight with the little boys,” said Moraes.
I understand he was probably riding the adrenaline high from his victory, but T.J. Dillashaw doesn't need the extra motivation should a title fight emerge from this. He's an incredibly dangerous fighter, especially at the 135 weight class.
Are you ready to see D.J. Dillashaw versus Marlon Moraes?