World Series of Fighting is set to present its 22nd event this weekend. WSOF 22’s main event will feature former UFC fighters Jake Shields and Rousimar Palhares contending for the organization’s welterweight title. However, the co-main event features one of the promotion’s “home-grown” faces in Marlon Moraes. The bantamweight competitor is due to defend his title for the second time, against the undefeated and widely unknown Sheymon da Silva Moraes. The champion is in an interesting position right now, as recent comments have revealed that he intends to remain a part of the WSOF roster. This move has ramifications that can benefit both he and the promotion as a whole.
Since joining the organization in 2012, Moraes has won seven straight bouts. As he reigns over the bantamweight division, he’s made it clear that he believes WSOF is the place for him.
“This promotion is going places,” he told MMAjunkie. “A lot of things have improved. Not just me, but other fighters, as well as the promotion’s staff, are feeling very positive and motivated. I want people to see not only how good a fighter I am, but how good WSOF is as a promotion.”
That’s quite a bold stance when looking at the current landscape of mixed martial arts. WSOF is considered the third promotion in North American MMA, but when one factors in international organizations, such as One FC, or even the specialized women’s only promotion that is Invicta, there is a chance that it falls further down in the rankings.
However, recent WSOF defectors such as Anthony Johnson and Andrei Arlovski have made great strides since returning to the UFC. Jessica Aguilar is scheduled for a title eliminator against Claudia Gadelha at UFC 190. When you factor in the idea that the UFC’s bantamweight division doesn’t have a long list of contenders, Moraes could quickly find himself in the title picture if he made the leap. However, he seems content with his current employer. As Dominick Cruz continues to heal, the only real name that is coming up for current champion T.J. Dillashaw is that of Raphael Assuncao. Behind that, however, the list is rather barren. Moraes could be one UFC fight away from facing off against another game opponent for the title of best bantamweight in the world.
Yet Moraes recently signed a long-term deal with the organization. He’s still young enough that he hasn’t hit the prime of his career, however, and at 27-years old he has the potential to grow in a number of ways as a fighter. A continued run as the WSOF bantamweight champion could raise interest in his career before he makes the leap to the biggest stage in MMA. Eddie Alvarez and Hector Lombard are two examples of fighters that had successful title reigns outside of the UFC before transferring over to the Octagon and benefiting both as stars and financially.
Moraes can benefit in the same way. Staying in WSOF and beating all of the men put in front of him will only increase his value to the UFC should they ever come calling. This is especially true if he can put on great showcases and he improves his finish rate. The onus is on the matchmakers at WSOF to do a better job of bringing Moraes qualified opponents. Unfortunately, the UFC is not releasing as many fighters due to its need to fill its growing schedule of events. However, there are a multitude of regional promotions such as the RFA and Legacy Fighting Championships that have a large enough following to create their own homegrown stars. Tapping into these markets can help the WSOF, not only at bantamweight, but across the board. At least they have one individual willing to stay on as champion for the long haul.
Marlon Moraes is saying all of the right things. He’s signed an extended contract and is facing less-than quality opponents within the WSOF bantamweight division. He’s at the right age, and can use this time to feast on that inferior opposition and build his name up in such a way that will lead to bigger bucks down the line. With the way the landscape of mixed martial arts is changing, this is a very smart move on the part of the young Brazilian champion.
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WSOF 22: Palhares vs. Shields takes place on August 1, 2015 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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