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The main star of the night, UFC ranked number one Brazilian Marlon Moraes faced Cory Sandhagen on the ‘UFC Fight Island 5’ undercard in hopes of qualifying for a bantamweight title fight (61 kg). However, it was the American, three places behind in the table, who won and credited his name in the select list of athletes close to a title shot.
After taking the worst in the early stages, Sandhagen changed strategy, dominating the center of the Octagon and surprised Marlon with a round shot, similar to the blow that became Edson Barboza’s hallmark.
After the triumph, number 13 of his poster, the American challenged two former UFC champions. “I have my eyes on TJ Dillashaw when I get back and Frankie Edgar. I want the belt and they are two big names, with all due respect.”
In turn, Marlon lost for the seventh time in his career, in a poster that adds another 23 victories, in addition to a draw. Thus, the Brazilian distances himself, at least for now, from the UFC title,
The struggle
The first five minutes were busy and balanced. But, despite the higher volume of blows from the American, Marlon stood out thanks to the force of his attacks. Body kicks, crosses and rotating punches had Sandhagen walk backwards at decisive moments on stage. Marlon Moraes 10 x 9 Cory Sandhagen.
In the second round, however, when the dispute began to tilt in the American’s favor, a round shot surprised and hit the Brazilian in the head. When he fell to the ground, there was little Marlon could do to defend himself against ground attacks and blows.
Look at the results of ‘UFC Fight Island 5’:
Cory Sandhagen knockout Marlon moraes not 2nd round;
Edson barboza defeated Makwan Amirkhani by unanimous decision;
Marcin Tybura defeated Ben Rothwell by unanimous decision;
Dricus du Plessis knockout Markus ‘Maluko’ not 1st round;
Tom Aspinall knocked out Alan Baudot in the first round;
llia Topuria defeated Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision;
Tom Breese knocked out KB Bhullar in the first round;
Chris Daukaus knocked out Rodrigo ‘Zé Colmeia’ not 1st round;
Joaquin Buckley knocked out Impa Kasanganay in the second round;
Tony Kelley defeated Ali AlQaisi by unanimous decision;
Giga Chikadze defeated Omar Morales by unanimous decision;
Tracy Cortez defeated Stephanie Egger by unanimous decision;
Tagir Ulanbekov won Bruno ‘Buldoguinho’ by unanimous decision.
