A rematch between top bantamweights Raphael Assuncao and Marlon Moraes is being targeted for February 2nd.
Just two weeks after Marlon Moraes expressed his frustration that UFC bantamweights were not stepping up to fight him, a rematch between Moraes and Raphael Assuncao is being targeted for UFC Fight Night on February 2nd.
ESPN first reported the news. Assuncao and Moraes first met back at UFC 212 in June 2017, with Assuncao taking a split decision victory on the night. MMA Fighting have reported that along with the matchup, Assuncao has also signed a new four-fight deal with UFC.
Since the fight was announced, Moraes has since took to social media to state the fight will be for the interim UFC bantamweight title. Assuncao’s manager has since told Bloody Elbow that there is no truth to this from their side, but they “would gladly accept it.”
Assuncao (27-5) only has one loss in his last 12 UFC appearances, dropping a decision to the current 135-pound champion TJ Dillashaw in July 2016. A knockout win over Matthew Lopez that earned him a $50,000 bonus was preceded his most recent win against Rob Font in July.
Moraes (21-5-1) bounced back from his loss to Assuncao by winning his last three UFC fights. A split decision win against the gritty John Dodson was recently followed up by consecutive first round knockouts against Aljamain Sterling and Jimmie Rivera. Moraes took home the Performance of the Night bonus in both of those KO wins.
UFC Fight Night: Fortaleza takes place at the Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil on February 2nd. The entire card will stream live on the ESPN+ subscription service.