Marlon Moraes says Frankie Edgar was ‘essential’ in preparing for Henry Cejudo at UFC 238

Bloodyelbow.com

One of the next challengers for the vacant UFC bantamweight belt, Marlon Moraes, had some special help for his upcoming bout against Henry Cejudo at UFC 238, former lightweight title holder and next in line for what is now his third crack at the featherweight belt, albeit one of them the interim one, Frankie Edgar.

In an interview with Portal do Vale Tudo, Moraes expressed how much of Edgar’s wrestling experience helped him prepare to take on a wrestling Olympic gold medalist in Henry Cejudo.

“I’m expecting a heavy wrestling-oriented gameplan from Cejudo, but I’m ready. I’m more ready than ever. I’m coming into this fight with a strong desire to become a champion. I trained very hard and my time has come. It’s my time to become the champion. Frankie Edgar was essential in my training camp for this fight. We have been training together a lot, his MMA wrestling is very strong. I intend to make use of all of its qualities, implement them into my arsenal and walk out of there a champion.”

Furthermore, Marlon also gave some insight in Edgar’s own preparations for his upcoming title fight against Max Holloway at UFC 240. In Moraes’ opinion, Frankie’s is ready to beat anyone in the division and both men are ready to surprise the world in July.

“He is scheduled to fight Max (Holloway) at UFC 240. It’s going to be a tough fight, but Frankie is ready to fight anyone, and we are ready to surprise people. Frankie will impose his gameplan and we will both get the belts. I’ll get mine on the 8th and Frankie will snatch his on the 27th.”

Marlon Moraes (22-5-1) is on a four-fight win streak, with wins over John Dodson, Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie Rivera and most recently, in February, Raphael Assuncao. His last loss happened in his Octagon debut, when he dropped a split decision to the same Assuncao, back in June 2017.

Now, Moraes is expected to take on Cejudo for the vacant bantamweight belt at UFC 238’s main event, on June 8, in Chicago, Illinois. In the co-main event, a second title fight featuring flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko defending her belt for the first time, against Jessica Eye.