Bantamweight Contender Seeks Rematch With Marlon Moraes For UFC Title

Marlon Moraes has been called out by one rising contender in the UFC bantamweight division. That star is Aljamain Sterling, who actually has a history with the former WSOF bantamweight champion.

Back at the UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega event on December 9, 2017, Sterling was supposed to fight Rani Yahya. However, Yahya was forced to pull out from the card due to injury and was replaced by Moraes, who beat Sterling by first-round KO.

Sterling explained his position on why he wants this fight with Moraes during a recent interview with MMAJunkie. Not only due to their history, but he believes the fight also makes sense due to the rankings.

“It was a complete rookie mistake on my end,” Sterling said. “I don’t want to say it’s luck, but that wasn’t his intent was. I just happened to be doing something that was the worst thing I could possibly do in that moment in that exchange.

“He got his hand raised that night, but come this rematch, I truly believe I can stand with anyone in the world, and when the tough gets going, if I need to get the fight to the ground, I can always lean on my wrestling and my cardio and jiu-jitsu. Snatching necks and cashing checks.”

With the news of TJ Dillashaw failing a USADA drug test and voluntarily relinquishing the UFC bantamweight title, contenders are making their case known. Both Sterling and Moraes have been calling for a fight for the vacant UFC bantamweight title. 

“I’m definitely throwing my hat in the mix,” he said. “This has been a long journey. This has been the culmination of everything I’ve worked so hard for. I’m back at the top, and I’m ready to keep climbing those ranks to get that UFC gold.”