Sergio Moraes is preparing for battle against Zak Ottow at UFC Fight Night 100 and the lightweight fighter believes he can become a top 15 fighter with a win on Saturday Night.
“After this next victory, I want to ask the UFC to book me against someone in the top 10,” Moraes said to MMA Junkie. “I’ve already fought and defeated Neil Magny, who currently is ranked. I deserve to be ranked too, but I haven’t had a whiff of it. I never stall in a fight. I make things happen. I deserve a top-10 opponent so I can demonstrate my worth.”
Something that may have kept Moraes out of the rankings is a draw Moraes suffered against Luan Chagas at UFC 198 earlier this year. Moraes knows that's working against him.
“To me, this draw with Luan Chagas was worse than a loss,” Moraes said. “I was facing some problems beforehand but decided to fight anyway. I paid for my mistake. I won’t do that again. Now I’m looking to beat everyone I can. I know my own potential. I’ll always try to get a finish. Nowadays there are many fighters who won’t take any risks in the octagon. They try to win by points. That’s not my style.”
Moraes is prepared to get the win over Ottow at UFC Fight Night 100, he feels his ground game will be his biggest asset in the fight.
“A lot of opponents enjoy fighting on the ground, but once they get booked against me, they switch strategies,” Moraes said. “I’ve seen his fights. I’m showing up to fight MMA. I have takedowns and striking. I’m always evolving. Every time I fight in the UFC, I’m better than before. And now I get to fight at home. It’s awesome.”
UFC Fight Night 100 takes place on Saturday, November 19 from the Ibirapueroa Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil with Ryan Bader and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira headlining.
