Both Marlon Moraes and Brian Ortega moved one step closer to championship fights at UFC Fresno Saturday night.
#6 Ortega closed out the show in his home state by defeating perennial top-5 featherweight #4 Cub Swanson. After falling victim to Swanson's outstanding striking on the fight, Ortega capitalized and locked on a D'arce choke at the end of the first round. Swanson was saved by the bell, but would tap out in round two to a standing guillotine choke.
You can see an excerpt of our Fightful.com live coverage below.
Round Two: The round begins with Swanson attacking Ortega with some leg kicks, Ortega charges at Swanson while throwing strikes. Ortega starts catching Swanson with a few lefts, Swanson responds by clobbering Ortega with a right. Swanson nails a swinging Ortega with a counter left hook, Swanson nails Ortega with a push kick to the midsection followed by a right. Swanson attacks Ortega with some rights before blocking a high kick, Ortega grabs Swanson and he holds him against the cage wall. Ortega goes for a jump guillotine choke and Swanson taps out.
Official Result: #6 Brian Ortega def. #4 Cub Swanson by submission via jump guillotine choke (3:22, R2)
After the fight Ortega went full babyface mode, praising Jesus, touting charitable work, expressing love for his father, and saying he was bowing out of the featherweight title picture so the more worthy Frankie Edgar could compete.
Since having victory controversially snatched from his grasp in his June UFC debut, #7 Marlon Moraes made a big statement over the last month. First, defeating John Dodson at UFC Norfolk on November 11, and then knocking #8 Aljamain Sterling stiff Saturday night at UFC Fresno with a sick knee.
You can see an excerpt of our live coverage below
Round One: The round begins with Moraes popping Sterling with a three punch combination, Sterling starts attacking Moraes with leg kicks. Moraes drops Sterling with a left and he pounces on him with more strikes, Sterling goes for a submission and Moraes gets up. Moraes then cracks Sterling with a knee strike and Sterling goes out cold.
Official Result: #7 Marlon Moraes def. #8 Aljamain Sterling by KO via knee strike (1:07, R1)
