Marlon Moraes (photo via WSOF)

By FCF Staff

Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes have been trading verbal jabs in advance of their battle this Friday, and recently the latter explained why issues with the bantamweight arose.

The two will meet in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 131, which will take place in Utica, New Jersey. While discussing recently what led to his rivalry with Rivera, Moraes said this (quote via UFC.com):

“I think I’m one of the best in the world and when I first signed with the UFC, he acted like I wasn’t deserving to fight him. That pissed me off a little bit because I was willing to fight anybody.”

“I never tried to fight Jimmie Rivera from the beginning because it was personal; I just wanted to fight the guy because he’s one of the best in the world. Everybody likes to challenge themselves and likes to fight the best. I want to fight the best.

“He kept saying he wanted to fight the top guys, but man, I feel I’m at the top and June 1, I’m going to prove it.”

Moraes is coming off a devastating, KO win over fellow contender Aljamain Sterling, which moved the former WSOF champ’s overall record to 20-5-1.