After a rough start to his UFC career, Marlon Moraes showed what he’s capable of at UFC Fresno.
Former WSOF champion Marlon Moraes returned to action at UFC Fresno on Saturday. Taking on the talented Aljamain Sterling, Moraes was making a quick turnaround after his win over John Dodson at UFC Norfolk. It was another key bantamweight bout for the UFC Fight Night 123 card in Fresno, CA.
To put it simply, Moraes vs. Sterling did not last long. Moraes, who lost his UFC debut then took a close split decision against Dodson, went right to work. He had his hands going early, then caught a Sterling kick, and put him on his back. Moraes, however, chose not to engage on the ground.
Instead, he allowed Aljamain Sterling to get back up. Back on the feet, Moraes fanned on an uppercut, but connected moments later, dropping Sterling. Following his wounded foe, he found himself with an arm caught. Sterling, however, couldn’t hold on to the arm-bar. And once back up, things ended quickly. With Sterling moving in low, Moraes launched what might have started out as a kick, but ended in a knee flush to the head. Sterling immediately crashed to the canvas, where he was attended to by officials. Moraes, meanwhile, had made a statement as a force to be reckoned with at 135lbs.
Marlon Moraes def. Aljamain Sterling by knockout (knee), Round 1, 1:07
