Raphael Assuncao and Marlon Moraes threw down tonight (Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019) at UFC Fight Night 144: “Assuncao vs. Moraes 2,” inside Northeast Olympic Training Center in Fortaleza, Brazil. If you don’t have ESPN+, you can sign up here for a seven-day free trial.
Moraes was looking for vengeance after Assuncao eked out a split decision win over him in his UFC debut. Since then, Moraes has been on a tear, winning three in a row with back-to-back first round knockouts. Assuncao was riding a four-fight win streak, and a title shot for either man seemed possible with victory.
Moraes was circling, and landed a leg kick early. Assuncao doubled up on his jab. Moraes looked for his own right straight. He kicked the legs again, and again. Moraes jabbed at Assuncao as he circled. He landed a glancing check hook as Assuncao moved in, then knocked Assuncao down with two hard punches! He leapt into guard, trying to punish Assuncao. Assuncao controlled him nicely for a bit, then Moraes unleashed a couple nice punches. Moraes caught a guillotine as Assuncao tried to stand, and despite rolling to his back, Assuncao couldn’t escape! A first-round win for Moraes, and an emphatic one at that!
Moraes said afterwards that he had diarrhea all week and nearly had to cancel the fight, due to Brazilian mosquitoes. He credited God for being able to make it through. He said he’s the best in the division, and told TJ he’s not sure if TJ wants to fight him, he might want to go down and hunt the ‘little boys’ of the flyweight division. That was a scornful dismissal, and Moraes has certainly earned a title shot.
Official result: Marlon Moraes def. Raphael Assuncao via submission (guillotine) at 3:17 of Round 1
Fight Night 144 results, including play-by-play, click here
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