Marlon Moraes May Be the Best Bantamweight in the World
Marlon Moraes May Be the Best Bantamweight in the World
Marlon Moraes is the best bantamweight fighter in the world not competing in the UFC, but that doesn't stop him from thinking he's top dog at 135.
When a fighter competes outside the biggest stage in their sport, recognition can be difficult to come by.
But Marlon Moraes isn’t concerned with that stigma.
The Brazilian striker is currently riding a streak of dominance under the World Series of Fighting banner that pushed him into the argument as one of—if not the very best—bantamweight fighter on the planet. And while Moraes is certainly aware of the prestige holding a UFC title brings, he doesn’t have the slightest bit of concern as to how he stacks up with the best Zuffa has to offer.
“I have respect for all of these guys like Dominick Cruz and T.J. Dillashaw, but I know they don’t have what I have,” Moraes told FloCombat. “I see their games and I know my style would present a ton of problems for them. I’m not talking trash or anything like that because that’s not who I am, but if we are talking competition, oh man—I think those would be some fun fights.”
With Moraes competing under the WSOF banner and the rest of the top recognized fighters at 135 pounds fighting for the UFC, the likelihood of those potential matchups hits a hard swerve south. Furthermore, Moraes said he’s happy with his home in WSOF and doesn’t believe that will change anytime soon.
“Fighting for [WSOF] has been great and they take very good care of me,” Moraes said. “I know the fans want to see certain things, but all of that happens in due time if it ever happens at all. Those aren’t things I can get wrapped up in because I have a title to defend and a job to do. All I can do everyday is make sure I train my butt off to perform at my best. Everything else is just stuff people talk about.”
When it comes to the work invested inside the gym, Moraes’ grind is certainly top-notch. The reigning bantamweight king under the WSOF banner tests himself on a daily basis against elite talent who come from the very promotion he’s often set against.
Current featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar and lightweight striking phenom Edson Barboza are two of his primary training partners in his adopted home of Toms River, New Jersey. And the work he puts in with his team is what gives Moraes the confidence he’ll be ready for whatever comes his way inside the cage.
“Moving my family up here to New Jersey has been the best move I’ve made for my career,” Moraes said. “I get to train everyday with guys like Frankie Edgar, Edson Barboza and Eddie Alvarez. Those guys are the best in the world and they show me where I’m at talent-wise. If I can hang with them, I can go with anybody. I’m just happy to improve every day.”
But Marlon Moraes isn’t concerned with that stigma.
The Brazilian striker is currently riding a streak of dominance under the World Series of Fighting banner that pushed him into the argument as one of—if not the very best—bantamweight fighter on the planet. And while Moraes is certainly aware of the prestige holding a UFC title brings, he doesn’t have the slightest bit of concern as to how he stacks up with the best Zuffa has to offer.
“I have respect for all of these guys like Dominick Cruz and T.J. Dillashaw, but I know they don’t have what I have,” Moraes told FloCombat. “I see their games and I know my style would present a ton of problems for them. I’m not talking trash or anything like that because that’s not who I am, but if we are talking competition, oh man—I think those would be some fun fights.”
With Moraes competing under the WSOF banner and the rest of the top recognized fighters at 135 pounds fighting for the UFC, the likelihood of those potential matchups hits a hard swerve south. Furthermore, Moraes said he’s happy with his home in WSOF and doesn’t believe that will change anytime soon.
“Fighting for [WSOF] has been great and they take very good care of me,” Moraes said. “I know the fans want to see certain things, but all of that happens in due time if it ever happens at all. Those aren’t things I can get wrapped up in because I have a title to defend and a job to do. All I can do everyday is make sure I train my butt off to perform at my best. Everything else is just stuff people talk about.”
When it comes to the work invested inside the gym, Moraes’ grind is certainly top-notch. The reigning bantamweight king under the WSOF banner tests himself on a daily basis against elite talent who come from the very promotion he’s often set against.
Current featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar and lightweight striking phenom Edson Barboza are two of his primary training partners in his adopted home of Toms River, New Jersey. And the work he puts in with his team is what gives Moraes the confidence he’ll be ready for whatever comes his way inside the cage.
“Moving my family up here to New Jersey has been the best move I’ve made for my career,” Moraes said. “I get to train everyday with guys like Frankie Edgar, Edson Barboza and Eddie Alvarez. Those guys are the best in the world and they show me where I’m at talent-wise. If I can hang with them, I can go with anybody. I’m just happy to improve every day.”