When UFC Fight Island 5 rolls around this weekend, main event bantamweight Marlon Moraes will be competing for the first time in ten months. During that time away, he’s had to watch the man he last defeated, Jose Aldo, get a shot at the title. And fight off a bout with the coronavirus.
It’s been something of a wild ten months for Moraes (23-6-1), in other words. But the former WSOF champion doesn’t appear to hold any grudges. Returning against Cory Sandhagen, who Moraes called “good everywhere” during Wednesday’s UFC Fight Island 5 virtual media day, the Brazilian gave his thoughts on both current champ Petr Yan, and Aldo.
“He’s a great fighter. He’s the best bantamweight in the world right now,” Moraes said in regards to Yan. The Russian fighter is yet to taste defeat in the UFC. “Not just his performance against Aldo, but every performance he had in the last couple years, he looked great. I give him a lot of respect,” Moraes noted, before adding “but he’s a beatable guy.”
Moraes is also keenly aware of how competitive the UFC’s 135lb division is. “I know the division is stacked right now. In the top five, I think everyone can become champion.”
As for Aldo, Moraes insisted that there are “no bad feelings. That opportunity was given to him, and he deserved it. Aldo’s one of the best fighters in the world.” Moraes pointed to the resume of his fellow Brazilian as evidence. “Name who beat him. I think [the only people] who beat him, became UFC champion. He’s a good fighter. Hat’s off to him.”
Of course, Moraes beat him as well, as he then pointed out. He’s still waiting to claim gold in the promotion. A win over Sandhagen could get him back to the title, depending on when Aljamain Sterling faces Yan. But it sounds as if Marlon Moares isn’t about to wait around for a title shot if he does get his hand raised this Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
“I just want to fight. I want to fight Saturday, I want to put on a good performance, and I want to fight again. I want the UFC to keep me busy,” he said. If he has the opportunity to fight again, he’ll be better, better than his last fight, Moraes stated. “I just want to keep busy, keep fighting, and reach the best potential I can.”
Watch the full UFC Fight Island 5 virtual press scrum with Marlon Moraes above. The event airs live this Saturday, October 10 on ESPN+ (TSN in Canada).
