One-time UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes is officially returning from retirement to ink a deal to join the roster at the PFL and he already has his first opponent.
Moraes is expected to clash with fellow UFC veteran Shane Burgos in a featured featherweight fight on the upcoming PFL Finale card that will likely take place in November, although no exact date has been determined yet.
Multiple people who were aware of the plans for the promotion confirmed it to MMA Fighting Tuesday. Both athletes have signed verbal agreements. ESPN initially reported the news.
Moraes will comeback less than six months after he announced his retirement from the sport following four consecutive losses in the UFC. Prior to a 1-5 run in his last six fights, Moraes was a terror in the bantamweight division after racking up four straight wins including knockouts over Aljamain Sterling and Jimmie Rivera.
Now the Brazilian born fighter will move up to compete at featherweight with plans to join the PFL season in 2023.
Burgos became the most prominent free agent after being granted free agency by the PFL following his UFC deal. Burgos currently has a winning streak of two fights after beating Charles Jourdain in back-toback bouts.
Moraes vs. Burgos will join the PFL finale card that will also feature championship bouts across every division in the promotion with the winners all earning a $1 million prize.
