Video: UFC veteran floors man during police stop in Florida

Guilherme Cruz is a Brazilian journalist covering combat sports since 2008.

Marlon Moraes returned to the winning column in MMA recently in Brazil, when he won a decision against Maximiliano Perez in the main event of Liga Monstro Combate on August. 28, and a body cam video of his work as a policeman in Florida has gone viral days later.

Moraes, who works as a cop in South Florida, had to put his martial arts knowledge to use during a traffic stop on March 27. A man became confrontational against Moraes, calling him a “b*tch” and saying “I can f*ck you up”. Moraes warned the man not to take another step in his direction, and immediately floored him once he did.

Moraes, a former WSOF bantamweight champion and UFC title contender, walked away from the sport in 2023 with a record of 23-13-1. He teased a return after signing with GFL, but eventually competed again in 2026 this past August to snap a seven-fight losing skid.

Moraes told MMA Fighting he’s not retired, and plans on seeking a deal to fight again in the United States.