As TJ Dillashaw continues to campaign for a bout with flyweight champ, Henry Cejudo, Marlon Moraes is accusing the bantamweight champ of avoiding a “test”.
Dillashaw began calling for a bout with Demetrious Johnson last year, when the latter was the reigning king of the 125 division. Then, after Dillashaw reclaimed the 135 title last November, he pushed for a bout with Johnson in 2018. After Henry Cejudo took the belt from Johnson this past August, however, he began pushing for a scrap with Dillashaw. The latter has said he’s on board, provided the fight’s for the 125 title.
In the meantime, Moraes has worked his way into title shot contention, thanks to a three fight winning streak, which includes KO wins over Aljamain Sterling and Jimmie Rivera. Recently the former WSOF champ spoke with MMA Fighting, and Moraes offered this take on Dillashaw’s push for a shot at the flyweight belt.
“I feel like [Dillashaw] doesn’t want to test himself,” Moraes said. “He wants to fight the fights that he can win. I think stylistically if he fights Cejudo, it’s an easier matchup for him. That’s a no-risk fight. What’s Cejudo gonna do to him? Cejudo is gonna take him down, but he’s gonna get up. He’s a way better striker than Cejudo. I see him with the edge. I don’t think it makes sense.”
“…If Dillashaw wants to have two belts, fight me,” Moraes said. “I’m still champion. I still carry the championship belt. I’m still the World Series of Fighting champion. He wants big fights, he wants to fight champions? I’m a big fight, too.”
“I’m a risky fight. He knows. If I don’t take this now, I’m gonna keep coming and one day I’m gonna get this.”
These are interesting comments from Moraes, which will no doubt spark some responses, especially from Dillashaw and Cejudo boosters. Is Cejudo really not a test for Dillashaw? A guy who just defeated Johnson? One of the greatest fighters of all time? There’s no doubt that Moraes presents different challenges, and he’s certainly a bigger, rangier fighter than Cejudo.
All this aside, it will be interesting to see what unfolds here. Recently there’s been rumors that the UFC maybe considering shutting down the 125 division, and with Johnson possibly leaving for ONE, you have to wonder if that could impact that decision. In other words, as it stands right now, Dillashaw – Moraes seems more likely than Cejudo – Dillashaw.
The 32 year-old Dillashaw is coming off a second, stoppage win over Cody Garbrandt in August.