As expected, Henry Cejudo will face Marlon Moraes for bantamweight gold, and it will serve as the UFC 238 main event!
Chicago’s UFC 238 is getting the battle for the vacant bantamweight belt. On Wednesday, the UFC announced via social media that Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes was a go, with the 135lb title on the line. The fight will serve as the PPV card’s main event. It’s a fight UFC President Dana White had previously hinted at making.
For the vacant bantamweight belt!
Flyweight champ @HenryCejudo takes on No. 1 bantamweight @MMarlonMoraes in the main event at #UFC238! pic.twitter.com/hieInfqXXf
— UFC (@ufc) March 27, 2019
Cejudo (14-2), of course, defeated former bantamweight king T.J. Dillashaw at UFC Brooklyn earlier this year, with his flyweight title on the line. Having dusted Dillashaw quickly, it was expected he would move up, and have Dillashaw return the favor, putting the 135lb strap on the line. However, Dillashaw recently announced he had failed a drug test, and was relinquishing the belt. That left the title in limbo, until now.
Marlon Moraes (22-5) is a former World Series of Fighting champion with the strongest claim to a title shot in the division. The Brazilian stumbled out of the gate in his UFC run, losing a split decision to Raphael Assuncao. However, he has subsequently won four straight fights, including getting his revenge on Assuncao last time out. Moraes has three finishes among his four UFC victories.
UFC 238 takes place June 8, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Valentina Shevchenko defends the women’s flyweight title in the co-main event, against Jessica Eye.
