Doing What He Loves, Marlon Moraes Defends WSOF Belt on Saturday

If anything, over the past several years, World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes has been consistent.

Since suffering his last loss in late 2011, Moraes has gone on a 10-fight winning streak and picked up two successful title defenses in 2015.

“I was expecting to fight a little bit more, but I’m thankful I had the two fights,” Moraes told MMAWeekly.com. “I’m hoping to be more active. I’m still young. I want to keep fighting and proving that every fight that I’m going to be better than I used to be.”

Though he won both his title defenses last year, that doesn’t mean the victories over Josh Hill and Sheymon Moraes came easy.

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“Josh Hill surprised with a punch at the beginning of the fight, but with all circumstances, I was able to fight my way to the victory,” said Moraes.

“I knew Sheymon, he was a good striker and a big talent, so I knew he was a tough challenge and he really brought it. I was able to mix it up and use my speed and my MMA game to finish him in the first round.”

Moraes (15-4-1) kicks off his 2016 campaign with a 135-pound title defense against up-and-comer Joe Barajas (12-1) in the main event of WSOF 28 this Saturday night in Garden Grove, Calif.

“I know a lot of people don’t know him, but he’s a tough guy, a tough opponent,” said Moraes of Barajas. “He can fight on the ground, and he can wrestle and fight on the feet, so he’s like an all-around fighter.

“I have to go out there and fight five tough rounds and bring back home the victory and the belt.”

With all he’s accomplished lately, it would be understandable for Moraes to not be as motivated as he was when he was working his way up the ranks, but that’s not the case. Moraes feels he still has a lot to fight for moving ahead in 2016.

“I have a beautiful family and I need to make a good living,” said Moraes. “I want to be able to give them way more than I had. (I also do this for) my parents in Brazil and my team here, and myself – I’m a fighter, a martial artist, and I love to do this and love to compete.

“To keep fighting for the title for me is unbelievable. It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life. On Saturday night, I will be doing what I love to.”