Ex-UFC Title Challenger Marlon Moraes Explains Why He Came Out Of Retirement

Marlon Moraes, a former UFC bantamweight title contender, has revealed why he decided to fight again soon after declaring his retirement.

Following a defeat against Song Yadong in March, Moraes declared he was hanging up the gloves and calling it quits in April. After defeating José Aldo by split decision at UFC 245, he lost four straight UFC fights.

“I wasn’t happy with the results, with how things were going with me, with the fights not going my way,” Moraes told MMA Junkie.

“But I think the time away from the sport was good to think about everything about my skills, and see what was going wrong. And to make a switch, make a change, and I’m really happy with this change…and being near people that really care about every single person on the roster. Have a chance to compete with some of the best 45ers in the world.”

Moraes will compete in his first PFL bout at the November 2022 PFL Championships. For the first fight since his reign as the WSOF bantamweight champion, he rejoins the organization formerly known as the World Series of Fighting.

Moraes will make his PFL SmartCage debut against Shane Burgos, another former UFC fighter. Following an allegedly unsuccessful attempt by the UFC to re-sign Burgos, he joined the PFL.

After competing at featherweight for the first nine fights of his professional career, Moraes hasn’t contested at 145 pounds since 2011. Before switching to bantamweight, he competed at ROC 38 for the Ring of Combat featherweight championship.

In his return to fighting later this year, Moraes hopes to make a statement. He has rekindled the passion that once made him a top contender in the UFC.

“I’m 34 years old right now, and it’s just hard for me to keep hurting myself cutting all the way down to 135…but I’m gonna get there now with my speed, power, energy is going to be different,” he added.