FORTALEZA, Brazil – Marlon Moraes is unconcerned about his position in the UFC bantamweight title picture ahead of a key matchup with fellow contender Raphael Assuncao at UFC on ESPN+ 2.

Moraes (21-5-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) meets Assuncao (27-5 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner in a fight UFC President Dana White once deemed a No. 1 contender bout for champ T.J. Dillashaw. After Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) lost to flyweight titleholder Henry Cejudo (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in 32 seconds earlier this month, though, the situation appears to have changed.

With a Dillashaw vs. Cejudo rematch potentially on the horizon, the stakes of Moraes’ upcoming bout with Assuncao have become murky. Moraes doesn’t mind, though.

“I’m not worried about that right now,” Moraes told MMAjunkie. “I’m worried about my fight. I’m there. If I have to keep fighting, I’ll keep fighting. I know I’m good. I know I can beat a lot of guys, and (we’ll) see what happens.”

UFC on ESPN+ 2 takes place at Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil. The entire event streams on ESPN+.

Moraes, No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, is currently relishing the chance to avenge his only loss in more than seven years. He dropped a split decision to No. 5-ranked Assuncao at UFC 212 in June 2017, and his goal for the rematch is to showcase his improvements.

“I think I’m better now,” Moraes said. “I learned a lot. Raphael is a good fighter, he’s beat a lot of guys and has a good record in the UFC. I’m a good fight as well and on Saturday night I know I’m going to be the best fighter out there.”

If Moraes can beat Assuncao, he would improve to an outstanding 17-1 in his past 18 fights dating back to November 2011. He certainly believes in his standing in the division is one of a top contender, but he intends on remaining patient until he gets his title shot.

“We always ask the UFC for the fight that’s going to put me at the top to fight for the belt,” Moraes said. “I asked for (Dominick) Cruz, I didn’t have him, then Raphael was a rematch that was very interesting for me. I think it was a good fight to have. He’s on a streak, I’m on a streak, so let’s go Saturday night to see who is going to be next for the title.”

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