Through three shows so far, World Series of Fighting has done a good job of mixing a list of well-known veterans with a group of up-and-coming fighters to stir the brew at the fledgling promotion.
Former UFC veterans like Jon Fitch, Josh Burkman, Anthony Johnson and Andrei Arlovski have headlined the shows, but one bantamweight fighter might just be the most talented guy on the roster.
The 25-year-old Brazilian phenom, Marlon Moraes, debuted at the first ever World Series of Fighting show where he was supposed to be the fighter who would restart former WEC champion Miguel Torres’ post-UFC career.
Instead, Moraes made a name for himself by beating Torres over the course of three rounds with quick attacks and a diverse stand-up arsenal. For his next fight, he took on another prospect named Tyson Nam, who was fresh off a blistering first-round knockout over Bellator champion Eduardo Dantas.
It took Moraes only two minutes and 55 seconds to send Nam packing with a spectacular head-kick knockout.
In only two fights, he has managed to land on the radar of anyone who makes a Top 10 rankings list, and it’s certain that just about every bantamweight has now heard of the young Brazilian knockout artist. Still, as he enters his next fight at World Series of Fighting 4 this weekend, Moraes is one person who isn’t buying his own hype.
He wants to keep his edge and his hunger because that’s what drives him to get to the top, and there’s no place in his life for overzealous attitudes or complacency that he’s already at the top of the mountain.
“I’m a hard working guy, I’m humble, I just want to work my career step by step,” Moraes told Bleacher Report. “I don’t want to step over anybody. I want to show I improved. I’m just thinking about my best fight and doing my best.”
He might be defined by his humility, but he also has confidence where it counts.
As part of the growing team in New York and New Jersey that includes former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, middleweight champion Chris Weidman and fellow prospect Edson Barboza, Moraes knows what it’s like to go multiple rounds with the best fighters in the world.
He’s got a quiet air about him that never boasts an egotistical demeanor, but training with the top fighters in or around his weight class has given Moraes a sense of accomplishment and the mentality that he can hang with any of them in the cage.
“When I was starting to fight, I was watching those guys, I know a couple of them. I had been training with a couple of those guys. I was training with a lot of those guys, I trained with Barao, I trained with Jose Aldo, I trained with Frankie Edgar, and all those guys and I knew one day I could be fighting with those guys,” Moraes said. “I knew one day I could be there. That’s why I’m working hard every day and why I’m here today.
“You guys know I’m humble, but I know I’m not cocky if I say that. I know that I can fight with those guys. I can fight, and I’m going to be a tough opponent for any one of them.”
Moraes has certainly proved so far in his World Series of Fighting career that he is the best bantamweight on the roster, and before too long he might be considered one of the best 135-pound fighters in the sport.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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