Marlon Moraes says his next fight has to be for the belt
At UFC Fortaleza, Marlon Moraes was taking on Raphael Assuncao in what was considered a number one contender fight. Ultimately, Moraes ended up submitting Assuncao in the first round, and then told champion T.J. Dillashaw he doesn’t deserve to fight him after his last performance.
Well, that does not mean Moraes will fight another fight. Rather, he will sit out until he gets the title shot he deserves.
“I do want to talk about the contract but my first fight has got to be for the belt,” Moraes told MMANews when speaking of getting a new deal and what will be next for him. “My next fight’s the title shot. If it’s not a title shot, no new contract.”
Moraes no doubt deserves a title shot. He was the former World Series of Fighting champion and is riding a four-fight winning streak. Plus, many believe he beat Assuncao the first time they fought and if the decision went his way, he would be riding an 18-fight winning streak dating all the way back to 2011.
Yet, that is not the case, but still, Moraes has had impressive performances over Jimmie Rivera and Aljamain Sterling in which he had knockouts over both of them. And, with Cody Garbrandt already having fought and lost to Dillashaw twice, and Dominick Cruz out with an injury, there is no question why Moraes doesn’t deserve a next title shot.
“If it’s not for the belt, I’m not fighting,” Moraes said. “I’m grateful for everything. Since I signed with the UFC, my main goal has never been to be a millionaire. I never asked for money. I never asked for much. They always took care of me but my goal is to be a champion.
“I want the belt. I’m not asking for anything. I think I’ve earned it. I just want to get what I earned.”
