Two right hands by @RaphaAssuncao stun Moraes at the end of round 1! #UFC212 pic.twitter.com/bjAp8E4TdN
— UFC (@ufc) June 4, 2017
The UFC returned to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year.
At UFC 212, UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway unified his title Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway in the main event.
Before the main event took place, the UFC provided another night full of intriguing matchups.
The UFC 212 prelims featured a pivotal battle in the UFC bantamweight division. Top contender Raphael Assuncao welcomed former WSOF champion Marlon Moraes to the UFC.
Both bantamweights traded leg kicks to start the fight. Moraes began landing the cleaner punches, but Assuncao was landing as well. Both fighters became more hesitant throughout the round and struggled to land the strike they did throw. The round ended with Assuncao landing a few hard punches right before the horn to end the round was blown.
In the second round, both fighters struggled to land clean strikes at the start of the round. Both Assuncao and Moraes threw with vicious intent, but their strikes fell short of their mark. Towards the end of the round, both fighters began landing combinations. Moraes landed a body shot, with Assuncao landing one of his own to finish the round.
The final round started with Assuncao and Moraes landing leg kicks. Assuncao then landed a strong punch that briefly wobbled Moraes. After the punch landed, Moraes quickly recovered and began throwing offense. Moraes began landing more cleanly to Assuncao’s body. Assuncao went for a takedown, but Moraes stayed on his feet. Moraes went for a takedown of his own, but Assuncao fought in off. Moraes went for the kill at the end of the fight, but Assuncao survived to the end of the fight.
Official Result:
Raphael Assuncao def. Marlon Moraes by split decision(29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
