After Career-Defining Win, Marlon Moraes Wants New UFC Contract, Title Shot

It was two years ago that Marlon Moraes was bested by Raphael Assuncao and he’s been vowing revenge ever since. On Saturday, he got it.

Moraes was electric inside the Octagon in the main event of UFC Fight Night 144, as he dispatched Assuncao 3:17 into the opeing round of their rematch. “Magic” lived up to his name by being the first fighter in nearly a decade to submit Assuncao, but it’s something he knew was going to happen.

Moraes took his time on his feet and waited for the right moment to let his hands go. When he did, he rocked Assuncao with punches to the head. From there, Moraes took the fight to the ground and quickly mounted him. It wasn’t long before Assuncao was caught in a guillotine with nothing to do but tap out.

“We studied a lot of his combinations,” Moraes told the assembled media at the post-fight press conference. “Last time he would throw one and I would throw one, and it was a confusing fight to know who won. Our game plan this time was to have a greater volume of strikes and to attack him a little bit more.”

Moraes quickly shifted his attention from his conquest and toward the future, which he believes has gold written all over it.

“I'm the best of this division,” the bantamweight said. “Our champion [T.J. Dillashaw] dropped to flyweight, and after his last performance, I'm sure I can beat him.”

Moraes was asked about his current situation with the UFC and what his immediate plans are moving forward, and he pulled no punches regarding a new contract that he covets.

“The first fight [on a new deal] has to be for the belt,” he declared. “It’s my time. I’m going to fight for the belt and I’m going to win. I have a really good agreement with the UFC. They contracted me when I was a champion and I cannot complain. I still have fights left in my contract with the UFC, but it’s time to get a better one.”