Marlon Moraes
Active 2017–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 84.0
Scouting report
Long-reigning WSOF champion Marlon "Magic" Moraes earned a UFC title shot on the back of first-round knockouts of Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie Rivera, and Raphael Assuncao. Hailing from Nova Friburgo, Brazil, Moraes rose through the division with hand speed, switch head kicks, and Muay Thai. His striking speed is captured by his 92 Kickboxing, 88 Boxing, and 84 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Moving to the UFC in 2017 after defending his WSOF title, Moraes dropped a close split decision to Raphael Assuncao in Rio before beating John Dodson on a split decision in Norfolk and knocking out Aljamain Sterling with a knee in round one in Fresno. His Muay Thai kicks, switch-stance power, and combination boxing are reflected in an 86 Boxing and 90 Kickboxing score during this debut year on the roster.
Moraes secured a title shot with a first-round knockout of Jimmie Rivera in Utica and a guillotine submission of Raphael Assuncao in Fortaleza in 2018 and 2019, before dropping a vacant title bout to Henry Cejudo and defeating Jose Aldo by split decision at UFC 245. His striking power and kicking game justify his 88 Boxing and 92 Kickboxing.
Marlon Moraes and the kicks that ended Rivera
Marlon Moraes was born in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, and was the WSOF bantamweight champion before moving to the top promotion in 2017. He knocked out Aljamain Sterling with a knee in December 2017, stopped Jimmie Rivera with a head kick and punches in June 2018, and submitted Raphael Assuncao with a guillotine in 2019, which earned him a shot at the vacant title against Henry Cejudo in June 2019. Cejudo won by stoppage in the third round. Moraes is a Muay Thai specialist with quick switch kicks and sharp hands.
Reading the Moraes numbers
Boxing. Very strong. Quick straight punches and clean combinations set up his kicks.
Kickboxing. His best rating. Switch kicks to the head and hard low kicks define his style.
Wrestling. Adequate. He defends most takedowns but does not chase them himself.
BJJ. Good. He knows enough to survive on the ground and look for a scramble.
Strength. The lowest number. He wins with speed and timing, not force.
Durability. Decent, but he can be hurt by hard shots.
Cardio. Solid. He kept a good pace and threw kicks late in fights.
Fight IQ. Smart. He sets up kicks with feints and reads his opponent's reactions.
Kickboxing at 92 leads the card
The finishes of Sterling and Rivera suggest the rating is earned. He threatens with kicks at every range and punishes anyone who lowers their guard. A bantamweight who can end a fight with one clean shot is worth having.
Strength is the weakest stat
At 77, Strength is his lowest number, and Cejudo's Olympic wrestling showed how that can matter. A physical opponent who drives him into the cage and holds him there takes away his room to kick. Choose a supporting fighter who can offset that if you expect a wrestler on the other side.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Marlon Moraes, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Kyler Phillipsbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 74
- Jonathan Martinezbest kickboxing 87 · weakest strength 74
- Sean O'Malleybest boxing 94 · weakest strength 74
- Song Yadongbest boxing 89 · weakest bjj 76
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Marlon Moraes's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Marlon Moraes into your build
Marlon Moraes enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2016 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Marlon Moraes is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Marlon Moraes's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.