Former WSOF bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes wants to take his time in the Octagon.
On a 13-fight win streak, including five World Series of Fighting bantamweight title defenses, Marlon Moraes was finally picked up by the UFC to take on contender Raphael Assuncao. However, as he revealed to Portal do Vale Tudo, he’s in no hurry to fight for an UFC title.
“We tend to always look for a quick way to our goals. When we want something, we want it now. We don’t understand God’s master plan. I came really close to entering the UFC. I almost got in the first TUF Brazil, but thank God I didn’t. At the time, I was sad and upset for not getting in. I wanted to and I came really close. But after that came the chance to fight at WSOF and that’s where I began to grow. I became champion and made some dreams come true. I could help my family. Then the UFC started to become a real possibility again, but I kept on defending my belt and I’m sure that was all a preparation so I could arrive in the UFC at the right time, more ready than ever.”
“As an athlete, I must be aware that I need to fight as many times as it takes, I can’t be worried about shortcuts to the belt. I want to earn my title shot. A lot of people say that you need to not only win, but to sell your fights in order to earn a title shot these days. I think these things come hand in hand. I’ll get there and see what I can do and I’m sure one day I’ll have my shot, but I’m not in a hurry”.
Marlon Moraes is expected to take on Raphael Assuncao at UFC 212, on June 3, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The card will be headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and top contender Max Holloway.