Marlon Moraes: I don't care about division; I just care about Jimmie Rivera

Other than a title rematch between champ T.J. Dillashaw and ex-champ Cody Garbrandt, set for UFC 227 in August, there’s not much certainty around the bantamweight division’s title picture.

But some fighters are making their cases. There is Jimmie Rivera and his incredible 13-fight winning streak. There’s Raphael Assuncao, a longtime contender who’s beaten three opponents in a row and has been asking for the attention he believes is due. There’s ex-champ Dominick Cruz, who, absent from the octagon since his title-costing loss to Garbrandt, still hovers atop the division he ruled for so long.

And then there is Marlon Moraes, a former WSOF champion who’s recovered for a split-decision loss to Assuncao in his UFC debut to earn back-to-back wins – highlight-reel knee included. Stealing Rivera’s momentum by beating him at UFC Fight Night 131, one could reasonably conclude, should land Moraes at least close to that title.

But you know who’s not losing sleep over these scenarios?

“I don’t care about the division, I just care about this fight,” Moraes told MMAjunkie Radio. “I just want to get out there June 1 in the best shape of my life – well-trained, out-skill this guy, and win this fight. I think, for me now, get this guy and win – my next fight is the most important thing for me, in my career.”

Moraes (20-5-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) meets Rivera (20-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 131, which airs live on FS1 on June 1, from Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, N.Y.

In case it wasn’t clear, Moraes confirms it: Having held WSOF’s 135-pound belt for more than two years, taking the UFC’s bantamweight crown isn’t something he’s worried about right now.

“I’m not even thinking about it,” Moraes said. “We’ve got to (take it) step by step. The reality, for me, is my next fight. It’s my opponent. And I believe in this. I’m living what I have now. I don’t want to keep dreaming something that I’ve still got to work for. I’ve just got to get the victory and solidify myself as one of the best in the division and the promotion.

“The future, you never know what’s going to happen. But I love to fight. I want to keep fighting. I want to keep busy and winning this fight, it’s another reason to keep myself busy.”

Staying busy hasn’t really been a problem for Moraes, who managed to keep a pace of three fights a year in both 2016 and 2017. A pro MMA fighter since 2007, he’s racked up a solid 26-fight record that, along with a streak he was able to maintain for five years, might make us lose sight of the fact that he’s only 29.

Conversely, considering he didn’t step into the octagon until June 2017, some of the newer MMA fans might see only a promising, on-the-rise name. Make no mistake, though: At this stage, Moraes believes he’s no longer in the realm of mere possibility.

“I think now I’m on my prime, man,” Moraes said. “I’ve been in the game for a long time. I’ve been competing in kickboxing since I was young, jiu-jitsu, MMA. And I feel like I’ve got good experience. I’m not a prospect anymore. I feel (I’ve been) a long time in the game. I can’t wait to showcase June 1st and perform. And go out and keep showing everything I’ve been learning.

“Actually, I know, but it’s just a matter of putting it (out) there and get to work and do it in the cage. I think I feel confident now and I’m 100 percent sure June 1st is going to be my best performance.”

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