LAS VEGAS – Marlon Moraes is back in the win column.
At UFC 245 on Saturday night, Moraes (23-6-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) squeezed out a close split decision victory over former featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who was making his bantamweight debut.
The decision was deemed controversial by some. But generally speaking, the close nature of the fight resulted in scorecards from fans and media being all over the board.
“I think I won the first round,” Moraes said after the fight. “The second round, I think he got it. Then the third, I think I got it. It was a close fight. I just fought Jose Aldo, you know?
“A lot of people judge and say, ‘It’s a tough fight, a close fight.’ Who (has beaten) Jose in a split decision? Who did that? He only lost to five or six guys in his whole career. He’s the longest featherweight champion. He beat all the champions and contenders. hats off for him, but now’s my time.”
In Moraes’ mind, his use of straight punches in Round 3 proved to be the difference on the judges’ scorecards. Moraes said if his doubters go back and watch a replay of the fight, they’d likely change their minds about who won.
“I landed a lot of straight punches on him,” Moraes said. “I think I outscored him. He only landed one punch and cut me. But that’s it. Besides that, I didn’t feel anything. It was a good fight. Hats off for him (for taking) the challenge, (making) weight, and (putting) on a great fight. I think the fans liked it. It was a great fight.
“Some people don’t agree with the decision, but at the end of the day you go home, and you watch the fight again. You’ll see I won.”
So what’s next for Moraes? The former UFC bantamweight title challenger has his eyes set on two potential opponents: Aljamain Sterling and Dominick Cruz. While Cruz was brought up first, Moraes spoke with more vitriol when he brought up Sterling.
“I’d like to fight either Dominick Cruz or (Aljamain) Sterling,” Moraes said. “I don’t like Sterling at all, and I’d love to take his chance to ever fight for a title. Those are the two names I have on my mind right now.”
The two fighters have history, having competed against each other before at UFC Fight Night 123 in December 2017. In the first meeting, Moraes finished Sterling with a brutal knee in 67 seconds.
