Morning Report: Marlon Moraes calls out Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt, Garbrandt responds
Marlon Moraes | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
This weekend, the UFC will crown a new bantamweight champion when Petr Yan and Jose Aldo lock horns at UFC 251 on ‘Fight Island’. Unfortunately for one man, that leaves him out in the cold and it sounds like he’s not happy with the situation.
Top contender Marlon Moraes is currently the No. 1-ranked bantamweight in the world and is coming off a split decision win over Jose Aldo at UFC 245. But despite beating Aldo, it is the former two-time featherweight champion (and current sixth-ranked bantamweight) who is getting a shot at the vacant title. Even worse for Moraes though, is that he’s been stuck sitting idly by on the sidelines while the rest of the division moves on.
Since Moraes last competed, Aljamain Sterling staked his claim for the next title shot with a demolition of fifth-ranked Cory Sandhagen, and Cody Garbrandt rekindled some of the old magic that made him champion when he turned in a KO of the Year candidate over Raphael Assuncao. Both men have designs on the bantamweight title, creating a logjam at the top of the division, and Moraes’ lack of fight to reinsert himself in that conversation is starting to frustrate him.
Taking to Instagram recently, Moraes vented his frustrations with the other 135 contenders and called out two former bantamweight champions, Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz, for fights.
“I’m not the best making excuses!” Moraes wrote. “I was taught to say yes for every challenge. Get the F.. in the Ring and Fight. Enough is enough thats names available and they all saying No. what’s up? (Cody Garbrandt) fastest hands in all roster etc etc why No ??? (Dominick Cruz) best bantamweight all the time etc etc why no???”
“Am I wrong???? Would you watch these fights?”
Cruz, who most recently lost his own bantamweight title big against Henry Cejudo, failed to respond; however, Garbrandt was quick to reply, saying that he agree to fight in October.
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Prior to his KO of Assuncao last month, Garbrandt had lost three straight in the division, all by knockout. The win over Assuncao vaulted “No Love” back up the rankings and should Moraes and Garbrandt fight, the winner would certainly be on the short list to face the winner of Yan-Aldo.
MUST-READ STORIES
Out. Gilbert Burns tests positive for COVID-19, pulled from UFC 251 main event against Kamaru Usman.
In. Jorge Masvidal passes COVID-19 test, fight against Kamaru Usman official for UFC 251.
Condolences. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father, dies from COVID-19 complications.
Business, man. Sean O’Malley ‘ain’t getting sh*t’ from Reebok so he’s starting his own apparel line along with the ‘Suga’ strain.
Rankings. Behind the panel: A closer look at the UFC’s rankings system.
VIDEO STEW
Reaction to Gilbert Burns being out.
This post-fight video from Poirier-Hooker is wild. These guys don’t get paid enough.
Volkanovski at Fight Island.
Max at Fight Island.
How good was Ken Shamrock, actually?
Free fight.
LISTEN UP
Severe MMA. Discussing UFC 251, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and Brendan Schaub.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Hell of a promo.
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 5, 2020
Ready to go.
Shmoood #UFC251 pic.twitter.com/xSExxWEuVp
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) July 6, 2020
Seal of approval.
Real fights are better fights
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) July 5, 2020
Salty.
Real? I would maul you! I will out grapple you and out box you.. and I slap you up don’t talk abt real https://t.co/O8aQ5d8uEi
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 6, 2020
LOL.
Ugh now I gotta see that effing video all over Twitter this week. So annoying
— Ye 2020 (@Benaskren) July 6, 2020
Imagine the most embarrassing moment of your life being replayed incessantly on twitter
— Ye 2020 (@Benaskren) July 6, 2020
Suck it Helwani https://t.co/WfeQpBwiea
— Ye 2020 (@Benaskren) July 6, 2020
Kinda makes you wonder why the UFC didn’t just pay Masvidal in the first place.
When u hear Masvidal-Usman is on. pic.twitter.com/f0egMb6wHW
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) July 5, 2020
Rumors.
The Max/Volk fight at risk I Heard which is why masvidal got what he wanted in the deal || Good for him! @GamebredFighter
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) July 5, 2020
Lost revenue.
I’m happy @USMAN84kg for a replacement opponent and I’m also heartbroken for @GilbertDurinho he still #1 contender
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) July 5, 2020
Throwing shade.
Shore and Wood declined to fight my cornerman on short notice. This 2 cowards don’t deserve to be the part of best fight organization in the world, because they picked easier options for themselves
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) July 6, 2020
Seems like Tony is interested.
Wolverine.
Seven days later, good as new! pic.twitter.com/T1gGmY6XHC
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) July 5, 2020
Fight poster.
The last stop on #UFCFIghtIsland! #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/yyMkJEPFwZ
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2020
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kamaru Usman (16-1) vs. Jorge Masvidal (35-12); UFC 251, July 11.
Modestas Bukauskas (10-2) vs. Andreas Michailidis (12-3); UFC Fight Night, July 15.
Aaron Phillips (12-3) vs. Jack Shore (12-0); UFC Fight Night, July 15.
Carla Esparza (16-6) vs. Marina Rodriguez (12-0-2); UFC Fight Night, July 25.
Nicolas Dalby (18-3-1) vs. Jesse Ronson (21-10); UFC Fight Night, July 25.
Luke Sanders (13-3) vs. Chris Gutierrez (15-3-1); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 1.
Frankie Saenz (12-6) vs. Jonathan Martinez (11-3); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 1.
Peter Barrett (11-3) vs. Steve Garcia (11-4); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 8.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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