Maryna Moroz made her UFC debut in a big way at UFC Fight Night 64, and following her triumph she wasted no time in calling out champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk for a title tilt.
The UFC should make that fight.
Heading into UFC Fight Night 64 the title picture looked clear — whoever looked more impressive between Claudia Gadelha and Joanne Calderwood would get the shot at Jedrzejczyk's gold belt. Gadelha had to pull out due to an injury, and Calderwood was upset in just 90 seconds. Now, there is no clear cut contender.
Maryna Moroz BIG WIN!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 11, 2015
Both No. 1 and No. 2-ranked contenders Carla Esparza and Claudia Gadelha have fought since losing to Jedrzejczyk. Gadelha could conceivably get a title shot due to how close their fight was, and it being a contentious decision. However, it just makes good sense that she'll need one win before vying for the championship.
The remaining top five in the division — Jessica Penne, Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres — all have fights currently booked. Another high-profile bout pits No. 8-ranked contender Felice Herrig against No. 12-ranked Paige VanZant — a fight B/R's Jeremy Botter pontificated on earlier this week regarding its potential title ramifications.
Of those contenders only Torres has a victory over a top 10 opponent to their official record at the time of their fight (vs. Herrig, Invicta FC 7). And only Penne and Torres are on a winning streak. Herrig could make it two-in-a-row this Saturday with a win over VanZant, but still would lack a top-10 victory.
Moroz's resume already supercedes their accomplishments with an undefeated record and her win over then ranked No. 6 Calderwood.
She is undefeated at 6-0 with a Rousey like finish rate. All six fights have been stopped with five coming in the first round, and of the six finishes five have come by way of armbar. The Ukrainian's boisterous callout of Jedrzejczyk following her UFC win also provided some quality entertainment in spite of the language barrier. It is a marketable fight — in Europe.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Maryna Moroz going back and forth through the Octagon at #UFCKrakow!!
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) April 11, 2015
and this just happened. Maryna Moroz calls out champ @joannamma #UFCKrakow pic.twitter.com/X1QkyIRaFc
— UFC (@ufc) April 11, 2015
The UFC is still in need of a main event for their July trip to Glasgow, Scotland. Why not headline it with a title fight between Jedrzejczyk and Moroz?
As an added bonus for the organization the title tilt adds value to their subscription service Fight Pass. More fans would be inclined to subscribe to the surface knowing there is a title at risk. But most importantly, this fight gives them time to settle who comes next.
Heading into UFC Fight Night 64 things were pretty clear, but coming out it was murky at best. There is a lot of talent in this division with a lot of potential marketable fighters, but their resumes are lacking. Moroz's is just as, if not more, qualified than any other contender's at this time.
Moroz stands at No. 9 in the division currently. There is nothing wrong with her getting the title shot right now.
This is a fight that can help the UFC's footprint with female fighters overseas. Moroz can reach a whole new market in the lead-in to the fight, and Jedrzejczyk is one of the most charismatic forces in the organization. Meanwhile, the contenders on the brink of a title shot can duke it out to determine who is next. Moroz has earned the shot. She is undefeated with the highest-ranked victory of any other legitimate contender right now, and she asserted herself in the jawing with Jedrzejczyk as interesting opposition.
Moroz vs. Jedrzejczyk is the right title fight to make. Put it in Glasgow, and give European fans a true main event worthy of their time.
