From championship MMA fighter to patrolling the streets of South Florida
In short: Marlon Moraes built a career on precision and power, becoming the inaugural WSOF Bantamweight Champion. After a high-stakes journey through the UFC and the PFL, the former professional mixed martial artist has traded the octagon for a badge, transitioning into a career in law enforcement.
Marlon Moraes's journey into combat sports began at age seven with Muay Thai, followed by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training at 15. This foundation led to national success in Muay Thai in Brazil, where he earned two national championships before committing fully to mixed martial arts. His professional ascent included becoming the first-ever WSOF Bantamweight Champion, a title he defended through several high-profile victories, including a knockout against Josh Hill on July 30, 2016. He achieved this success by defeating Miguel Torres via split decision during his promotional debut. Later, he secured a victory against Tyson Nam through a first-round head kick and punches.
Moraes's career also saw him compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he faced notable opponents such as Raphael Assunção and Henry Cejudo. His time in the UFC was marked by both significant victories, including a knockout of Jimmie Rivera in 2018, and regulatory scrutiny; the California State Athletic Commission flagged him after a fight in Fresno for a weight gain of 14.5% between weigh-in and fight day, exceeding the 10% limit. His performance in the Octagon earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He also famously ended Jimmie Rivera's twenty-fight winning streak with a first-round knockout.
After a brief retirement announced in April 2022, Moraes returned to compete in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Featherweight tournament. Following a knockout loss to Gabriel Braga on June 8, 2023, he announced his retirement from professional fighting. In May 2024, he began a fresh career by being sworn in as a Davie, Florida, police officer, currently patrolling the South Florida area. His final professional bout occurred during the PFL season against Gabriel Braga. Since then, he has also been recruited by the Coral Springs Police Department.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Marlon Moraes
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