Photo: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC (Getty Images)
When Marlon Moraes joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster in 2017, he was viewed as an immediate threat to the 135-pound throne. Two years later, he has made such forecasts a reality.
Moraes will square off with Henry Cejudo for the vacant bantamweight championship in the UFC 238 headliner on Saturday at the United Center in Chicago. The 31-year-old Brazilian carries a four-fight winning streak and has posted 17 victories across his last 18 appearances. Moraes has delivered 16 of his 22 career wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission.
As Moraes makes final preparations for his high-stakes battle with Cejudo, here are five things you should know about him:
Toxic masculinity: The Life and Times of ‘Kimbo Slice’
Eye of the beholder: UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer Brings the Heat
Follow Mandatory on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Marlon Moraes
-
1. He was the centerpiece of a rival promotion.
Moraes was one of two men to capture the World Series of Fighting bantamweight championship, along with Bekbulat Magomedov. He laid claim to the 135-pound title with a unanimous decision over Josh Rettinghouse on March 29, 2014 and successfully defended it on five different occasions, defeating Josh Hill (twice), Sheymon Moraes, Joseph Barajas and Josenaldo Silva.
Photo: Dylan Buell/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC (Getty Images)
-
2. He can do more than strike.
While known more for his standup skills—he was a two-time national muay Thai champion in his native Brazil—Moraes holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under former Pancrase champion Ricardo Almeida. He has six submission wins to his credit.
Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC (Getty Images)
-
3. He supplements his income.
Moraes has pocketed $50,000 post-fight “Performance of the Night” bonuses in each of his last three appearances inside the Octagon. He took care of Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie River and Raphael Assuncao in less than five minutes combined.
Photo: Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC (Getty Images)
-
4. His losses have been few and far between.
Only five men have cracked the Moraes code: Assuncao, Deividas Taurosevicius, Ralph Acosta, Zeilton Rodrigues and Alexandre Pinheiro.
Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC (Getty Images)
-
5. He knows how to ambush.
Moraes has stopped 13 opponents inside one round, accounting for more than half of his career win total (22). Included among those 13 victories are 32-, 33-, 47-, 67- and 73-second finishes.
Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC (Getty Images)
