UFC’s Marlon Moraes Confirms He’s Contracted COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, top bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes has confirmed that he and his wife have contracted the virus.

Moraes confirms he’s tested positive for COVID-19

The former WSOF champ recently spoke with ESPN Brazil, and while doing so, Moraes reported that he and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19. Thankfully, it sounds like both of them are on the road to recovery.

“Unfortunately, I got the virus — me and my wife. We were very weak, the symptoms were very strong on us. Thank God I didn’t need to go to the hospital, but I had to take my wife to the hospital,” Moraes said.

“We spent a day at the hospital. She was treated by them, she took some medicines, then she stayed under observation.”

The news of Moraes’s positive test comes not long after welterweight contender, Gilbert Burns tested positive for the virus, and had to withdraw from UFC 251. Jorge Masvidal stepped in for Burns at the event, and dropped a decision loss to champion Kamaru Usman.

Moraes comments on Jose Aldo’s loss to Petr Yan

The 32-year-old has yet to fight since he faced Jose Aldo last December, and won the fight via split decision. Since UFC President Dana White and many others scored that fight for Aldo, however, he was pushed to the front of the line for a title shot.

Following Henry Cejudo’s retirement, Aldo was signed to face Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight title at UFC 251. Aldo put up a spirited fight early on, but eventually Yan finished the former featherweight champ in round five.

Although Aldo came up short in his latest, title bid. Moraes praised his fellow Brazilian while discussing the fight.

“It was a good fight, José Aldo is a legend of the sport,” he said. “I thought he had a good fight, he showed that he wanted to win, but Yan was better than him and we have to respect him.

Aldo is not very used to losing, but in the sport, unfortunately one wins and one loses, so we have to support him. Unfortunately the belt didn’t come [home]. I’m here, other Brazilians are also in the race.”

Now it will be interesting to see who Moraes faces, when he’s healthy and ready to compete. Not long ago, Moraes called out Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt, and he still has his sights set on ‘No Love’.

“The fight [the UFC has] to do now is me versus Cody. And I think they will put [Aljamain] Sterling to fight Yan and whoever wins between me and Cody will be the next to fight for the belt,” Moraes said.

“The [UFC] is already planning [Moraes-Garbrandt] for October. The fight has already been offered, on my part it has already been accepted, I’m just waiting for the UFC.”

On paper, there is a lot to like with a Garbrandt – Moraes fight, no question.