Sérgio Moraes

Sérgio Ricardo de Moraes (born July 23, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the welterweight and middleweight division's for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.

Background
Moraes is often called “O Orgulho da Cohab” meaning literally “The Pride of Cohab”. Moraes was born in Cohab.

Moraes is a 4-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion but his most famous fight was when he defeated Kron Gracie at the 2008 World Championship. Moraes's affiliation is the Alliance Jiu Jitsu Team.

Sérgio is currently the head Jiu Jitsu instructor at Evolução Thai in Curitiba, Brazil. Currently instructing at Reza Martial Arts Center Bahrain.

Early career
Moraes made his professional MMA debut in October 2006 in his native Brazil. Over the next five years, he amassed a record of 6 wins and 1 loss, with 5 of his 6 wins coming via submission.

Moraes made his United States debut in June 2009 for Bellator Fighting Championships. After being rocked early in the round, Moraes was able to get a takedown and quickly lash up a Triangle choke to defeat Josh Martin via submission in the first round at Bellator 12.

The Ultimate Fighter
In March 2012, Moraes appeared as a fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. In the opening elimination fight, he defeated former Muay Thai World Champion Thiago Rela by submission due to a heel hook from the 50/50 guard, midway through round 1 to get into the TUF house.

In the first round of the competition, Moraes fought Delson Heleno. Moraes defeated Heleno via submission (rear naked choke) early in the first round to move onto the semi-final round. There, Moraes fought Daniel Sarafian for a spot at the finals. Moraes was knocked out by Sarafian in the first round by a flying knee.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Moraes made his UFC debut on June 23, 2012, at UFC 147 against Cezar Ferreira to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. He stepped in as a replacement for Sarafian, who was injured. Moraes lost the fight by unanimous decision after being knocked down twice by Ferreira.

Moraes fought fellow TUF Brazil alumnus Renée Forte on October 13, 2012, at UFC 153. After being outstruck for much of the bout, Moraes rallied back in the third round and defeated a visibly exhausted Forte by submission due to a rear naked choke.

Moraes faced Neil Magny on August 3, 2013, at UFC 163. Moraes won the fight via triangle choke in the first round. The win also earned him his first Submission of the Night bonus award.

Moraes was expected to face Zak Cummings on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. However, Cummings and Moraes had to pull out of the event due to injury and were replaced by Sean Spencer and Drew Dober respectively.

Moraes was expected to face Peter Sobotta on April 11, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 64. However, Sobotta was forced out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by Gasan Umalatov. In turn, Umalatov also pulled out with injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Mickaël Lebout. Moraes won the fight via unanimous decision.

The fight with Sobotta was rescheduled for June 20, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 69. On June 9, the fight was scrapped once again as Moraes pulled out for undisclosed reasons. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Steve Kennedy.

Moraes faced Omari Akhmedov on December 10, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 80. He won the fight via KO in the third round.

Moraes was expected to face Kamaru Usman on May 14, 2016, at UFC 198. However, Usman was replaced on the card for undisclosed reasons by promotional newcomer Luan Chagas. The fight was scored a split draw.

Moraes was expected to face Michael Graves on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 100. However, Graves was removed from the fight on October 3 after he was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge. Moraes instead faced Zak Ottow on the card. Moraes was awarded a split decision victory.

Moraes was expected to face Max Griffin but Griffin pulled out of the fight and Moraes faced promotional newcomer Davi Ramos on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106. He won the fight via unanimous decision. After the fight with Ramos, Moraes signed a new, six-fight deal with UFC.

A rescheduled bout with Kamaru Usman eventually took place on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116. Moraes lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Moraes was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Abubakar Nurmagomedov on February 3, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders. Within the same day, for undisclosed reasons, Nurmagomedov was replaced by Tim Means. Moraes won the fight via split decision.

Moraes faced Ben Saunders on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137. He won the fight via a submission in round two.

Moraes faced Anthony Rocco Martin on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Moraes faced Warlley Alves on May 11, 2019, at UFC 237. He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.

Moraes faced James Krause on November 16, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 22. He lost the fight via knockout in round three and was subsequently released from the UFC.

Post-UFC career
On September 8, 2020, news surfaced that Moraes had signed with Taura MMA and made his promotional debut against Jared Revel at Taura MMA 10 on October 23, 2020. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Neil Magny