More Eyes on the Sky: WSOF World Bantamweight Champ Marlon Moraes Speaks
By Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media MMA Correspondent in Las Vegas
In a Real Combat Media international interview exclusive, World Series of Fighting World Bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes of Brazil talked about his successful title defense of his 135 pound Mixed Martial Arts world title after defeating challenger Sheymon Moraes (no relation, also from Brazil) in the WSOF 22 preliminary to the main event on the NBC Sports Network on August 1, 2015, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Moraes, now (15-4-4) Minais Gerais, Brazil, defeated challenger Sheymon Moraes of Rio de Janeiro by submission with a rear-choke hold at 3:46 of round three of the scheduled five rounder.
Robert Brizel: Marlon, Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media. A very exciting performance by you tonight! How did you feel being on NBC television?”
Marlon Moraes: “I’m so happy (being on) national television. It’s very hard.”
Robert Brizel: (speaking in Brazilian Portuguese) “How are you?”
Marlon Moraes: “Which is fine! We are where we belong. It’s a big show. Big people. Great people.”
Robert Brizel: “Now, when this fight started off, Shermon’s attack (game plan) was running, corriendo, running and running away from you, trying to stay on the outside and box. It seemed like for the first round or two, you were feeling him (Shermon) out. Correct?”
Marlon Moraes: “Yes, I was feeling him out. I wanted him (in position) for takedowns. I wanted to keep him guessing, and I wanted to bring him to my world.”
Robert Brizel: “It seemed like he (Shermon) had a little bit more reach and a little bit more height, so the challenge for you at some point was to be able to outbox him. Correct?”
Marlon Moraes: “Yes. My focus was boxing, because I knew I was faster than him, and I was ready to attack and keep throwing and throwing punches. “
Robert Brizel: “Now, after you began hitting Shermon with your jab, hard jabs to the head, he started to break down a little bit. At that point, you felt he was ripe for a takedown. That was around the third round, correct?”
Marlon Moraes: “I caught him with a left hook, and I saw him going down, and I knew he was rocked, and then it was time to go for a submission.”
Robert Brizel: “When you landed that left hook, I saw that Shermon hit the canvas right away. It looked like a boxing knockout in a sense, because at that point you were actually boxing him. When he got up, did you feel at that point he was groggy? Because he looked like he was hurt.”
Marlon Moraes: “Yes. I felt (he was hurt) and I put him on the floor again, and I went for the finish.”
Robert Brizel: “Where do you go from here? Is there anyone else who is interest in challenging you for this world title? What names have you heard (discussed)?”
Marlon Moraes: “I don’t want to say about names. I aware of myself (and) I want to be the best that I can be. I’m the best Marlon Moraes I’ve ever been. I keep getting better, and going back (to the decagon) and giving you guys a great show.”
Robert Brizel: “How did you feel about fighting another fighter with the last name of Moraes? Did your corner make fun of that?”
Marlon Moraes: “It’s a little uncomfortable, but now I think I’m done (with that possibility). I don’t think I’m ever going to fight another Moraes.”
Robert Brizel: “ think that (fighting an opponent with the same last name) was just a silly coincidence. Let’s talk about the world bantamweight title. Uno trescinco 135. You are at 135 pounds now. Are you comfortable at that weight, or at some point do you think you’ll go up to 140 pounds.”
Marlon Moraes: “Nah, 135 pounds is easy for me, and that’s where I am going to stay (fighting in the World Series of Fighting) for the next couple of years.”
Robert Brizel: “Now I know that Phoenix is coming up, and I know that Foxwoods is coming up, have they (the World Series of Fighting) spoken to you about these television dates for WSOF 23 and WSOF 24 coming up?”
Marlon Moraes: “Yes they did, but I am not going to be fighting on those dates, but I am going to be there in the front row. I will love to watch Justin Gaethje and Luis Palomino, and I want tob e there watching these guys. I’m a big fan of them!”
Robert Brizel: “Sounds very good. Marlon, congratulations and all the best from Real Combat Media. We want to hear more good things about you champ, now and in the future. All the best!”
Marlon Moraes: “Thank you. I’m happy to spend time with you for taking an interest in my career.”
Robert Brizel: “Marlon, one more thing. Martial artists always strive to perform better and better with time. How much better can you get? You looked very impressive tonight.”
Marlon Moraes: “ I’m very happy with my performance, but I know inside my heart I can do much better (be a better and better MMA fighter) with each match over the course of time.”
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