Marlon Moraes is set for a fresh start in the 2023 PFL season, aiming to prove his talent and reassure concerns about his health after recent losses.
Marlon Moraes is gearing up for a fresh start as the 2023 PFL season kicks off on Saturday. The one-time UFC title challenger, once regarded as an elite bantamweight, has faced a rough patch in his career, losing five consecutive fights. Moraes’ last win came in a close split decision over Jose Aldo in 2019. In those losses, he suffered five consecutive knockouts, raising concerns about his long-term health and ability to take a punch.
While Moraes acknowledges people’s concerns, the 34-year-old Brazilian is confident he hasn’t lost his edge. He admits to making some mistakes, especially in his last loss to Sheymon Moraes during his PFL debut. “It was a dominant performance, but unfortunately, I don’t know, I think that was just that moment,” Moraes said. “You shouldn’t trade punches. I just traded punches at the beginning of the round.” He added, “I was really focused on the grappling. I was really focused on dominating, and getting caught out there wasn’t the best thing out there for me. It was good luck for him. That was his day.”
As for his overall health, Moraes insists he’s never felt better, particularly since competing at featherweight, which no longer requires him to strain his body to get down to 135 pounds. He comprehends lingering questions about his health, but Moraes can only hope to provide a definitive response with his upcoming performance. “Things are going to come my way, ‘What’s going on?’ and, ‘Why is he losing?’ But to be honest, when I left the UFC, that’s a new era,” Moraes said. “It’s a new Marlon, and I fought my first fight and it was a great performance, and I ended up getting caught. I lost. Let’s go.”
Moraes offers no excuses for his recent losses but believes the difference came down to a mistake he made and the time he wishes he had been given to continue before the referee stopped the fight. “I’m good,” Moraes said. “I was dropped in my last fight and I’m not the one to complain, but the ref didn’t give me time too. But he won.” Now, the PFL is giving Moraes an opportunity to prove the skeptics wrong as he challenges 2022 featherweight champion Brandon Loughnane on Saturday. Looking forward to the fight, Moraes said, “I’m fighting with the champion, the best guy out there. Some people prefer the easy way, but I like to fight and I never choose anyone. I believe I can beat anyone in the world…Fighting Brendan, it’s a great opportunity to show that against a guy like him.”