MMA News

Tag: Brandon Moreno

  • “Said This Kid Would…” – Lone’er Kavanagh Upsets Brandon Moreno

    “Said This Kid Would…” – Lone’er Kavanagh Upsets Brandon Moreno

    Flyweight division, beware: Lone’er Kavanagh is now in the mix of the flyweight title picture following his upset victory over Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico.

    The two looked to get on a quick start at the beginning of the fight, with Kavanagh looking to bring speed and volume in his striking, including his jabs and leg kicks. Moreno reached on a number of his strikes, resulting in Kavanagh tagging him with counterstrikes.

    Kavanagh landed a combination late in the second round that wobbled Moreno. Kavanagh stayed patient but kept pressure, and while Moreno fought back and survived, Kavanagh solidified himself as firmly in control.

    Moreno started to swing with the left hook, attempting to take momentum from a tired Kavanagh. About halfway through the third round, Moreno got a hold of Kavanagh, controlling him throughout the remainder of the round — a strategy that continued in the fourth. Moreno landed small shots inside the clinch, attempting to drain Kavanagh more.

    Lone’er Kavanagh Gets Decision Over Brandon Moreno At UFC Mexico

    Kavanagh, however, was remaining in the fight, stopping all six of Moreno’s takedown attempts through the first 20 minutes. He continued to fight smartly, with his leg kicks doing damage. Moreno was noticeably limping during the fourth round.

    Moreno continued to try and continue to clinch up and control the pace in the fifth round, but it wasn’t enough, as Kavanagh took the decision.

    Kavanagh, who took this fight with just under a month’s notice, rebounds from his loss to Charles Johnson at UFC Shanghai in August — the first loss of his professional MMA career. Prior to that, Kavanagh earned a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series and scored wins over Jose Ochoa and Felipe dos Santos.

    Moreno has now lost four of his last six since dropping the UFC flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290. He entered this fight off getting finished for the first time in his career when he lost to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323.

  • UFC Mexico: Moreno vs. Kavanagh Results & Highlights

    UFC Mexico: Moreno vs. Kavanagh Results & Highlights

    UFC Mexico results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The UFC returns to the arena for an annual visit a year after its last touchdown. The main event will feature a flyweight battle between former two-time champion Brandon Moreno and Lone’er Kavanagh. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Brandon Moreno vs. Lone’er Kavanagh – Flyweight Main Event

    Moreno enters this fight off a TKO loss to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 in December, a fight that marked Moreno getting finished for the first time in his career. Moreno has hit a bit of a rough skid since dropping the flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja, going 2-3 since. The span has seen him earn decision wins over Steve Erceg and Amir Albazi but drop a split decision to Brandon Royval, in addition to his losses to Pantoja and Taira.

    Kavanagh took this fight on short notice earlier this month, filling in for an injured Asu Almabayev. Kavanagh earned a UFC contract with a knockout of An Tuan Ho on Dana White’s Contender Series. He started his UFC run with wins over Jose Ochoa and Felipe dos Santos but was knocked out by Charles Johnson at UFC Shanghai in August, marking the first loss of Kavanagh’s career.

    The co-main event will see Marlon “Chito” Vera taking on David Martinez. Vera enters on a three-fight losing streak and losses in four of his last five, most recently dropping a decision to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Vancouver in October. Martinez is 13-1 and on a nine-fight win streak. After a 2024 appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, Martinez’s 2025 saw him finish Saimon Oliveira and score a decision over Rob Font.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Mexico!

    How to Watch UFC Mexico

    • Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
    • Venue: Arena CMDX, Mexico City, Mexico
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Mexico Quick Results

    • Main Event: Brandon Moreno vs. Lone’er Kavanagh — Lone’er Kavanagh def. Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47 x2)
    • Co-Main Event: Marlon Vera vs. David Martinez — David Martinez def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Daniel Zellhuber vs. King Green — King Green def. Daniel Zellhuber via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:55)
    • Edgar Chaírez vs. Felipe Bunes — Edgar Chairez def. Felipe Bunes via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
    • Imanol Rodríguez vs. Kevin Borjas — Imanol Rodriguez def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:21)
    • Santiago Luna vs. Angel Pacheco — Santiago Luna def. Angel Pacheco via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    UFC Mexico Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Middleweight: Damian Pinas vs. Wes Schultz

    Result: Damian Pinas def. Wes Schultz via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:30)

    Featherweight: Erik Silva vs. Francis Marshall

    Result: Francis Marshall def. Erik Silva via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 2:29)

    Women’s Catchweight (130 lbs.): Regina Tarin vs. Ernesta Kareckaite

    Result: Regina Tarin def. Ernesta Kareckaite via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Featherweight: Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Javier Reyes

    Result: Javier Reyes def. Douglas Silva de Andrade via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:59)

    Bantamweight: Cristian Quinonez vs. Kris Moutinho

    Result: Cristian Quinonez def. Kris Moutinho via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chiasson vs. Ailin Perez

    Result: Ailin Perez def. Macy Chiasson via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Middleweight: Ryan Gandra vs. Jose Daniel Medina

    Result: Ryan Gandra def. Jose Daniel Medina via TKO (Rd. 1, 0:41)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Bantamweight: Santiago Luna vs. Angel Pacheco

    Result: Santiago Luna def. Angel Pacheco via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Flyweight: Imanol Rodríguez vs. Kevin Borjas

    Result: Imanol Rodriguez def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:21)

    Flyweight: Edgar Chairez vs. Felipe Bunes

    Result: Edgar Chairez def. Felipe Bunes via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber vs. King Green

    Result: King Green def. Daniel Zellhuber via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:55)

    Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. David Martinez

    Result: David Martinez def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Flyweight: Brandon Moreno vs. Lone’er Kavanagh

    Result: Lone’er Kavanagh def. Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47 x2)

  • Brandon Moreno Shuts Down Fighting at the White House

    Brandon Moreno Shuts Down Fighting at the White House

    Brandon Moreno made his position crystal clear Wednesday when asked whether he’d want to compete on the UFC’s upcoming White House fight card: he’s not interested. Not even a little.

    During UFC Fight Night media day in Mexico City ahead of his Saturday, February 28 main event bout against Lone’er Kavanagh at Arena CDMX, the two-time flyweight champion was approached by a reporter about the highly anticipated UFC event slated for June 14 at the White House South Lawn.

    Special Event? For Who?

    Brandon Moreno White House reaction

    The exchange was terse and pointed:

    Reporter: “Are you interested in fighting at the White House event?”

    Moreno: “Brother, I want you to tell me — why would I want to fight there?”

    Reporter: “It’s very special.”

    Moreno: “For who? For you?”

    Reporter: “For the company.”

    Moreno: “No. I’m not interested. Thank you.”

    Moreno, a Tijuana native and one of Mexico’s most celebrated UFC stars, currently ranked No. 6 in the flyweight division, did not elaborate further on his reasoning, nor did he need to. The comments come amid a wider wave of professional athletes publicly pushing back against the Trump administration’s policies, particularly ICE immigration enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security.

    Athlete Pushback in Broader Sports World

    Moreno’s comments arrive in a week marked by notable instances of athletes distancing themselves from Trump administration events. The gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team declined an invitation to attend Tuesday’s State of the Union address, citing scheduling and previously committed academic and professional obligations following the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Team USA women’s captain Hilary Knight went further, publicly describing the White House invitation as a “distasteful joke.”

    By contrast, the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team — which also won gold, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime — visited the White House earlier that day before attending the State of the Union, where the team received a bipartisan standing ovation. Trump announced during the speech that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Five members of the men’s team did not attend.

    Moreno’s Fight This Weekend

    Moreno (23-9-2) headlines UFC Fight Night: Mexico City on Saturday, February 28, against short-notice replacement Lone’er Kavanagh (ranked No. 15 at flyweight), who stepped in after original opponent Asu Almabayev withdrew due to injury.

    Moreno enters the bout looking to rebound from a TKO loss to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 in December 2025 — the first stoppage defeat of his career.

  • ‘Dreadful’ – Fight Fans Slam Referee Mark Smith Following Tatsuro Taira TKO Win Over Brandon Moreno At UFC 323

    ‘Dreadful’ – Fight Fans Slam Referee Mark Smith Following Tatsuro Taira TKO Win Over Brandon Moreno At UFC 323

    Despite yet another referee controversy, Tatsuro Taira may have positioned himself to finally get a crack at flyweight gold, becoming the first man to finish former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    Moreno was in control for most of the first round, executing a tight triangle on Taira for what felt like the longest time — in spite of Taira looking to take the fight to the ground. He appeared to have a fully locked-in triangle armbar and triangle choke, but Taira defended and was able to slip out of the hold in the closing seconds.

    Taira used his speed to slip away from Moreno’s strikes in the second round. He then was able to score a takedown, and this time it was him who was troubling the former champ.

    Taira flattened out Moreno and rained down blows. As Moreno appeared to be building his base, however, referee Mark Smith waved off the fight, giving Taira the win in a key flyweight battle.

    Tatsuro Taira Finishes Brandon Moreno At UFC 323

    Taira has now won back-to-back fights after his first professional MMA loss, coming against Brandon Royval. He is 8-1 since arriving in the UFC in 2022.

    Moreno has lost three of five now, stretching back to him losing the flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290.

  • ‘Pantoja Schools Both Again’ – Fans React As Brandon Moreno Outpoints Steve Erceg In UFC Mexico Main Event

    ‘Pantoja Schools Both Again’ – Fans React As Brandon Moreno Outpoints Steve Erceg In UFC Mexico Main Event

    Former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno had a successful homecoming, scoring a unanimous decision win over ex-title challenger Steve Erceg in the main event of UFC Mexico.

    Moreno and Erceg felt each other out to start before the two picked up their striking pressure. The Mexican favorite landed a strong combination that forced his Australian conterpart back, testing his chin. Erceg landed decent leg kicks, but Moreno showed more power in his strikes and continuously was able to land the right hand.

    “The Assassin Baby” continued to work combinations between Erceg’s body and head as the second round began. “AstroBoy,” however, seemed to answer back by turning up his volume, trying to match Moreno’s pressure for a back-and-forth round that could have fallen either way.

    The third round was the quietest at this point, but Erceg was able to utilize his boxing and seemed to take control during the course of the round. Moreno re-started his pressure in the fourth round, however, and took over in the championship rounds, even scoring a takedown right before the final horn.

    All three judges ultimately scored the fight in favor of Brandon Moreno.

    Brandon Moreno has now won back-to-back fights, bouncing back from consecutive split-decision losses against Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval. This fight was his first UFC victory in Mexico.

    Steve Erceg, on the other hand, has now lost three straight, going back to his unsuccessful challenge of flyweight champion Pantoja last year at UFC 301.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Brandon Moreno Decisions Steve Erceg

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Brandon Moreno Decisions Steve Erceg

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, flyweights Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg clashed. While in the co-main event, Drew Dober faced Manuel Torres in a lightweight matchup. 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (49-46×3)
    • Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober via TKO: R1, 1.45
    • Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara via submission: R1, 2.30 
    • Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira via TKO: R1, 0.22
    • Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)

    Preliminary Card

    • Ateba Gautier def. Jose Daniel Medina via KO: R1, 3.32  
    • Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Loopy Godinez def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Rafa Garcia def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda via TKO: R1, 4.06
    • MarQuel Mederos def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda

    Jamall Emmers earned a first-round TKO of Gabriel Miranda in their featherweight bout.

    Ateba Gautier def. Jose Daniel Medina

    Ateba Gautier got it done in the first round with a KO of Jose Daniel Medina.

    Main Card Highlights

    Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez

    Kevin Borjas got it done on the scorecards against Ronaldo Rodriguez.

    David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira

    David Martinez took just 22 seconds to TKO Saimon Oliveira in their bantamweight fight.

    Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales

    Raul Rosas Jr. earned a unanimous decision win against Vince Morales.

    Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara  

    Edgar Chairez submitted CJ Vergara in the first round of their flyweight bout.

    Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober

    In the co-main event, Manuel Torres stopped Drew Dober in the first round.

    Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg

    In the main event, Brandon Moreno defeated Steve Erceg on the scorecards.

  • UFC Mexico Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg Card

    UFC Mexico Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg Card

    UFC Mexico is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, March 29, at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. The main card begins at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. After consecutive defeats to Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval, “The Assassin Baby” got back on track with an impressive victory over Amir Albazi last November. To return to a winning streak and place his name back in the title conversation, the Mexican must now get the better of Steve Erceg, who gave champ Pantoja a run for his money before being knocked out by Kai Kara-France in 2024.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see lightweight veteran Drew Dober back in action. The fan favorite is tasked with stalling Manuel Torres’ hopes to bounce back from a first UFC loss to Ignacio Bahamondes last time out. Before that, “El Loco” recorded three straight first-round knockouts to establish himself as one of Mexico’s top prospects.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Kelvin Gastelum, Joe Pyfer, Raul Rosas Jr., Ronaldo Rodriguez, and Loopy Godinez.

    UFC Mexico: Moreno vs. Erceg Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Mexico (as of 3/25), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Brandon Moreno (-238) vs. Steve Erceg (+195)
    • Manuel Torres (-118) vs. Drew Dober (+102)
    • Kelvin Gastelum (+245) vs. Joe Pyfer (-305)
    • Raul Rosas Jr. (-410) vs. Vince Morales (+320)
    • David Martinez (-360) vs. Saimon Oliveira (+285)
    • Ronaldo Rodriguez (-180) vs. Kevin Borjas (+150)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Edgar Chairez (-270) vs. CJ Vergara (+220)
    • Jose Medina (+320) vs. Ateba Gautier (-410)
    • Christian Rodriguez (-155) vs. Melquizael Costa (+130)
    • Loopy Godinez (-238) vs. Julia Polastri (+195)
    • Rafa Garcia (-485) vs. Vinc Pichel (+370)
    • Jamall Emmers (-325) vs. Gabriel Miranda (+260)
    • MarQuel Mederos (-192) vs. Austin Hubbard (+160)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izwT-gvhDVk
  • Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg Official For UFC Mexico City Main Event

    Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg Official For UFC Mexico City Main Event

    Brandon Moreno is heading back to Mexico City, where he will take on Steve Erceg in the main event.

    MMA Mania (following initial posts from Kevin K on X) reported that the UFC had put together a new headliner for their rematch to Arena CDMZ on March 29, with the former two-time flyweight champion topping the bill.

    The UFC officially confirmed the booking during Saturday’s UFC 312 pay-per-view broadcast.

    The original main event was reported to be a featherweight contest between Mexico’s Yair Rodríguez and Brazil’s Diego Lopes.

    Moreno previously fought in Mexico City last February where he suffered a split decision loss to Brandon Royval before deciding to take some long overdue time off. He returned in Edmonton last November where “The Assassin Baby” looked back to his best, convincingly beating Amir Albazi to bring his opponent’s winning streak to an end.

    Whilst the Tijuana born contender is sure to receive another incredible reception from his home fans, March 29 is a huge opportunity for his opponent. Erceg currently finds himself coming off of back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.

    “Astroboy” was catapulted into a flyweight title shot off the back of a three-fight winning streak inside the Octagon and though he put on a good performance against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301, he was unable to leave Brazil with the gold. Erceg’s attempt to bounce back in front of his home crowd in Perth came to a sudden halt when he was stopped by Kai Kara-France in the first round at UFC 305 in August.

    The 29-year old was originally booked to take on the #8-ranked Asu Almabayev on March 1 until the promotion seemingly changed their plans around in order to book a fitting main event for the Mexican fans. Rather than fighting an opponent that was one spot above him in the rankings, Erceg will now take on the #2-ranked contender.

  • Coach: Brandon Moreno ‘Matches Up The Best’ With Alexandre Pantoja

    Coach: Brandon Moreno ‘Matches Up The Best’ With Alexandre Pantoja

    Brandon Moreno has faced UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja three times, but victory has eluded him each time.

    Their most recent encounter at UFC 290 in July 2023 ended in a razor-close split decision that favored Pantoja. Moreno followed this up with a unanimous decision loss to Brandon Royval in February before taking a step back from competition.

    Despite these setbacks, coach Sayif Saud remains confident that Moreno has what it takes to dethrone Pantoja. Moreno made a triumphant return to the Octagon in November at UFC Alberta, where he defeated Amir Albazi in the main event, snapping the Iranian’s six-fight win streak in the process.

    “You look at the talent of the flyweights — they are so good, all of them,” Saud told MMA Junkie. “Manel [Kape] looked amazing, Royval too. But to me, Brandon [Moreno] is still the most complete fighter overall. If you look at Brandon’s last fight with Pantoja, I feel like if that was judged with today’s criteria emphasizing damage, we win that fight.”

    Saud acknowledges that Moreno’s history with Pantoja complicates the path to a fourth bout. Still, he believes Moreno is better prepared than ever to face the reigning champion.

    “That fight was so close, but it’s kind of gotten lost in the narrative because Brandon has lost to him before,” Saud said. “The thing is, Brandon now is even better, but Pantoja is also better. You can’t take anything away from Pantoja — he’s dominating and finishing opponents. But Brandon’s skill set matches up so well with him. I think Brandon could absolutely win that fight.”

    Saud understands that the UFC might hesitate to book a fourth fight between Moreno and Pantoja so soon, given their history. However, he believes Moreno is always just one fight away from earning another title shot.

    “We’ve got to see what happens with Brandon. He’s one fight away, I think, all the time,” Saud explained. “But the question is, who? I get why Mick Maynard and the UFC aren’t giving us the title shot right now — they’ve already fought so many times. Even though I think it’s probably the best fight out there, personally.”

    Saud speculated about potential contenders, including Kai Kara-France, but questioned whether the New Zealander could handle Pantoja’s dominant ground game.

    “Kai is amazing and will do great on the feet, but I just don’t know if he can handle Pantoja’s ground game. He’s not easy to take down, but you saw Albazi take him down and take his back. Meanwhile, Albazi couldn’t even get close to Brandon — it wasn’t even close.”

    For now, Saud is taking a wait-and-see approach. He remains optimistic that circumstances — such as an injury to another top contender — could pave the way for Moreno to step in.

    “We’ve just got to sit and wait. Maybe one of Manel or Royval gets hurt, and we step in to fight that guy. Or we fight someone else and see what happens. But I truly believe Brandon matches up best with Pantoja, and he’s capable of finally beating him.”

  • Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno is determined to reclaim UFC gold but acknowledges that the journey back to the top may be more challenging than winning it initially. Moreno first clashed with Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title at UFC 256, ending in a draw. He claimed the title in their rematch at UFC 263 in June 2021 via submission. However, he lost the belt to Figueiredo in a close decision at UFC 270. Moreno rebounded with an interim title win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 by TKO and unified the flyweight title in a trilogy fight with Figueiredo at UFC 283, winning via TKO.

    In July 2023, Moreno lost the title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 by split decision, followed by another decision loss to Brandon Royval in February 2024. Earlier this month, he bounced back with a decision win over Amir Albazi.

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Moreno affirmed his commitment to reclaiming the championship and believes he has what it takes to wear the belt again. “Being very honest with myself, I think that, sporting-wise, Royval is likely the one who most deserves the opportunity,” Moreno said. “I have no problem saying that at all. He’s done a very good job, and in his last fight against Tatsuro (Taira), he looked very good. It was a great fight.”

    He added, “There’s also Kai (Kara-France), but he’s in a weird position. He deserves it after his knockout against (Steve) Erceg, but I think my performance was very good, and Royval is right there, too. Kai has the most awkward position.”

    Moreno acknowledged that he likely needs one more fight to earn his title shot. “As far as names, there’s Tatsuro Taira, Manel Kape, and maybe Kai Asakura, depending on his fight with Pantoja at UFC 310,” he said. “I’m just going to stay healthy and be ready for whatever comes next.”

  • Former Opponent On Brandon Moreno’s Win: ‘This Is What I Want To See’

    Former Opponent On Brandon Moreno’s Win: ‘This Is What I Want To See’

    #1-Ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval was watching closely this past weekend as the UFC returned to Edmonton for a Fight Night event. In the main event, former champion Brandon Moreno reminded everyone just how good he can be.

    The Mexican star put on a dominant performance to hand Amir Albazi his first loss inside the Octagon, looking back to his best after suffering consecutive losses in his last two outings. His boxing skills and speed have always been two of his best attributes but it’s been a while since we really saw him control a fight from start to finish.

    Earlier this year, Moreno faced Royval in a rematch in Mexico City where after losing a split decision, he announced that he would be taking some time off. Though Moreno didn’t stay away from the gym for too long, the time with his family clearly led to him coming back revitalized and Royval enjoyed seeing that from him.

    The result seemingly worked out in favor of “Raw Dawg” who could have found himself waiting behind Albazi in line for a title shot if he had got his hand raised given his winning streak in the division.

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Royval said though he’s happy Moreno won because of the impact it has on his standing in the current title picture, he was excited to see his former foe looking dialled in and on point in Canada.

    “I thought he looked sick bro, I had such a good time watching him. I liked the look in his eye when he walked out like the moment he walked out, I was like alright cool, this is what I want to see. It was like a p***** off Brandon Moreno ready to go and he fought with the f****** attitude and a chip on his shoulder and I love that, I love to see that.”

  • Brandon Moreno Assesses Opponent Options After UFC Edmonton, Rules Out One Top-5 Contender

    Brandon Moreno Assesses Opponent Options After UFC Edmonton, Rules Out One Top-5 Contender

    Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has his eyes on some prominent names following a return to winning ways this past weekend.

    Moreno entered the Octagon at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Edmonton, Canada facing the prospect of the first three-fight losing skid of his professional career if things didn’t go his way. They did, however, go his way — and then some.

    In Amir Albazi, the Mexican faced a surging contender who boasted a perfect 5-0 UFC record and had most recently climbed the ladder with a main event win over Kai Kara-France.

    But “The Assassin Baby” wasn’t about to be the star at the expense of whom the Iraqi secured a title shot, instead firmly beating “The Prince” up across five rounds to secure a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

    Having put his name back in the title mix at 125 pounds, Moreno assessed what could lie in his immediate future during his post-fight press conference in Edmonton.

    Moreno welcomed the chance to settle the score in a trilogy with Royval. But he doesn’t share the same excitement when it comes to running it back with Kara-France, favoring first-time clashes with Tatsuro Taira or Kai Asakura should the latter fall short of the title at UFC 310 next month.

    “I can get (a rematch) with Royval,” Moreno said. “I don’t want to fight with Kai again because I fought him twice and I beat him, but if I have to do that (I will). Tatsuro Taira is there. Kai Asakura, let’s see what happens there against Pantoja. If he loses, that can be the next one.

    “I don’t know, let’s see what happens,” Moreno concluded.

    While he expects to require another strong performance before earning a shot at regaining the flyweight crown yet again, he seemingly caught the eye of the division’s champion with his display in the “Great White North.”

    Pantoja mixed praise with a small jibe toward the Mexican in a social media post, commending him for the victory but also referring to “The Assassin Baby” as his “son.”

  • Alexandre Pantoja Reacts To Former Opponent Brandon Moreno’s UFC Edmonton Win

    Alexandre Pantoja Reacts To Former Opponent Brandon Moreno’s UFC Edmonton Win

    UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja was watching on as Brandon Moreno returned to winning ways in memorable fashion this past weekend.

    Pantoja unseated Moreno from the 125-pound throne in July 2023, falling on the right side of a split decision in a memorable contest widely seen as last year’s best fight. Since then, “The Cannibal” has cemented his grip on the crown with successful defenses opposite Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg.

    “The Assassin Baby,” meanwhile, has been looking to work his way back to the Brazilian. That endeavor got underway on the wrong foot this past February in Mexico City, where Moreno once again found his opponent — Royval, this time — getting the nod on two out of the three scorecards.

    That left the Mexican outlining plans for an extended break from competition and seemingly out of the flyweight title equation for the foreseeable future. But he returned to it in Edmonton on Saturday night, and in some style.

    In the main event, Moreno handed Albazi his first defeat in the UFC, beating “The Prince” up across five rounds en route to a lopsided decision victory.

    The former two-time champ received heavy praise across the community in the aftermath, including from a multi-time opponent of his. But Pantoja didn’t miss an opportunity to slide in a small jibe at the victorious Moreno in his X post…

    “Very good fight my son,” Pantoja wrote in Portuguese.

    Pantoja’s victory over Moreno last year marked his third over the Mexican in MMA. While the Brazilian’s gotten the better of him twice in professional UFC bouts, he also forced a tap from “The Assassin Baby” way back in 2016 during season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter.

    With Moreno’s triumph in Canada on Nov. 2, it appears that a rare tetralogy could be on the table despite the Mexican’s 3-0 deficit to Pantoja. Before that comes to fruition, though, both men would appear to have some work to do.

    In addition to Moreno acknowledging that he likely requires another strong performance to secure a shot, Pantoja is currently gearing up for his third defense. He’ll welcome former Rizin titleholder Kai Asakura to the Octagon at UFC 310 next month.

  • Amir Albazi Issues First Statement On Lopsided Loss To Brandon Moreno At UFC Edmonton

    Amir Albazi Issues First Statement On Lopsided Loss To Brandon Moreno At UFC Edmonton

    Having tasted defeat for the first time in the UFC, flyweight contender Amir Albazi has vowed to fix the holes in his game and bounce back stronger.

    After health issues kept him out of the cage for 17 months following a main event win over Kai Kara-France, Albazi finally had the opportunity to stake his claim for a title shot this past weekend in Edmonton.

    Instead of doing so, however, and nothing his biggest victory to date, his perfect UFC record was blemished courtesy of Brandon Moreno’s efforts.

    The Mexican snapped “The Prince’s” six-fight winning run in emphatic fashion to close out Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, beating the Iraqi up across five rounds to collect convincing nods on all three scorecards.

    A disappointed Albazi took to Instagram a day later to speak on the result, thanking his supporters and promising to display an improved version of himself next time out.

    “It wasn’t my night last night, but this is part of life. You win some, you lose some,” Albazi said. “All respect to Brandon Moreno, he was the better man. I’ll be back, I promise. I’ll be back on that horse and keep improving, keep getting better. You guys will see me soon. Thank you for the support.”

    “No excuses,” Albazi wrote in the caption. “You win some and lose some but i will be back better 👊🏽 i promise. Thanks for the support.”

    For Moreno, this past weekend’s main event marked a crucial rebound result. He previously lost two straight by split decision to Alexandre Pantoja — losing the flyweight gold in the process — and Brandon Royval.

    He’ll now look ahead to a potential title eliminator, as he seeks the chance to achieve three-time champ status on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

  • ‘Like Holloway vs. Kattar’ – Fans React To Brandon Moreno’s Masterclass Against Amir Albazi In UFC Edmonton Main Event

    ‘Like Holloway vs. Kattar’ – Fans React To Brandon Moreno’s Masterclass Against Amir Albazi In UFC Edmonton Main Event

    Anyone who tried to write off Brandon Moreno was taught a lesson in Saturday night’s UFC Edmonton main event, where the former two-time flyweight champion put a beatdown on fellow top contender Amir Albazi.

    From the get go, Moreno looked to utilize his striking to the nth degree. And it was a strong start in the first round, as he landed notable combinations and used his right hand to put Albazi on the back foot, even causing a slip at one point. “The Prince” seemed to be too patient as the fight stretched into the second frame, which saw the Mexican continue to land, land, and land some more.

    Moreno’s pacing and accuracy continued to the point where Albazi’s coaches berated him at one point, stating that he was losing every single round with brutal honesty. However, the Iraqi had no answer in the championship rounds despite his best efforts.

    “The Assassin Baby” won on all three judges’ scorecards (49-46, 50-45, 50-45) in a masterclass domination.

    Brandon Moreno Dominates Amir Albazi In UFC Edmonton Main Event

    https://twitter.com/MMAGamblingtips/status/1852915629235269778
    https://twitter.com/GuillotineGeeks/status/1852916926185410629

    Moreno vs. Albazi was originally scheduled to take place in February at UFC Mexico City, but a neck injury forced the Iraqi contender to withdraw. The home favorite ended up being defeated by Brandon Royval in the main event of that card.

    That result came in the Mexican’s first fight since dropping the UFC flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 in July 2023.

    Meanwhile, the Canada-held card this weekend was Albazi’s first loss in the Octagon and saw his six-fight win streak snapped. Albazi’s last loss prior to tonight came against Jose “Shorty” Torres in Brave CF back in April 2019.

  • UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    After staging its latest numbered event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi last weekend, MMA’s leading promotion has remained on the road for a card inside the Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    In the main event, former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno returns close to nine months on from a defeat to Brandon Royval in Mexico City. Having now lost two straight by way of split decision, “The Assassin Baby” will look to get back to winning ways at the expense of the charging Amir Albazi.

    Setting the stage for them in another 125-pound contest will be Erin Blanchfield and Rose Namajunas. After winning two straight in the division this year, the ex-strawweight queen will look to notch her biggest flyweight success to date and stake her claim for a title shot by adding to the woes of “Cold Blooded,” who was beaten by Manon Fiorot last time out.

    Elsewhere, heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis makes the walk for his latest assignment, Mike Malott has the chance to rebound on home soil, and bantamweight veteran Pedro Munhoz adds to his Octagon experience.

    Ahead of the event, all 28 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC Fight Night Edmonton ceremonial weigh-ins.

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 7 PM ET.

    UFC Fight Night Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging its latest numbered event from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi last weekend, the MMA leader has remained on the road for a return to the “Great White North,” where Edmonton’s Rogers Place hosts a UFC Fight Night.

    Topping the lineup on Nov. 2 is a clash of ranked flyweights as former champion Brandon Moreno looks to break his two-fight losing skid by stalling the charge and title ambitions of Amir Albazi.

    Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, which will see former strawweight queen Rose Namajunas look to keep her ball rolling at flyweight. To secure a third straight win at 125 pounds this year, “Thug Rose” must get the better of #3-ranked contender Erin Blanchfield.

    Elsewhere, the likes of heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis, home favorite Mike Malott, and bantamweight veteran Pedro Munhoz will all be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi takes place on Saturday, November 2, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Flyweight Main Event: Brandon Moreno (125.5lbs) vs. Amir Albazi (125.5lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Erin Blanchfield (125.5lbs) vs. Rose Namajunas (125lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis (266lbs) vs. Jhonata Diniz (257lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Caio Machado (205lbs) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (205lbs)
    • Middleweight: Marc-André Barriault (185lbs) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (185.5lbs)
    • Welterweight: Mike Malott (170.5lbs) vs. Trevin Giles (170lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Aiemann Zahabi (135.5lbs) vs. Pedro Munhoz (135lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Ariane Lipski (125lbs) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (125lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Charles Jourdain (135lbs) vs. Victor Henry (135lbs)
    • Featherweight: Jack Shore (145.5lbs) vs. Youssef Zalal (145lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Alexandr Romanov (261lbs) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (264lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Serhiy Sidey (135lbs) vs. Garrett Armfield (135lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Chad Anheliger (135lbs) vs. Cody Gibson (135.5lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Jamey-Lyn Horth (126lbs) vs. Ivana Petrovic (125lbs)
  • UFC Edmonton Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Moreno vs. Albazi, Blanchfield vs. Namajunas, & More

    UFC Edmonton Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Moreno vs. Albazi, Blanchfield vs. Namajunas, & More

    UFC Edmonton is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, November 2, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The main card begins at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who will look to bounce back from consecutive split decision losses at the hands of Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval when he competes in the “Great White North.” To Accomplish that feat, the Mexican fan favorite is tasked with stalling the surge of 17-1 contender Amir Albazi.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see ex-strawweight queen Rose Namajunas make the walk for the third time this year. If she’s to make it three flyweight wins in a row and stake her claim for a shot at two-division glory, “Thug Rose” must send the #3-ranked Erin Blanchfield to the first losing skid of her career.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis, welterweight prospect Mike Malott, bantamweight veteran Pedro Munhoz, and the always entertaining Charles Jourdain.

    UFC Edmonton: Moreno vs. Albazi Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Edmonton (as of 10/31), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Brandon Moreno (-175) vs. Amir Albazi (+145)
    • Erin Blanchfield (-130) vs. Rose Namajunas (+110)
    • Derrick Lewis (+145) vs. Jhonata Diniz (-175)
    • Caio Machado (-148) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (+124)
    • Marc-André Barriault (-205) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (+170)
    • Mike Malott (-185) vs. Trevin Giles (+230)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Aiemann Zahabi (-125) vs. Pedro Munhoz (+105)
    • Ariane Lipski (+120) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (-230)
    • Charles Jourdain (-142) vs. Victor Henry (+120)
    • Jack Shore (+250) vs. Youssef Zalal (-310)
    • Alexandr Romanov (-102) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (-118)
    • Serhiy Sidey (-142) vs. Garrett Armfield (+120)
    • Chad Anheliger (+160) vs. Cody Gibson (-192)
    • Jamey-Lyn Horth (-218) vs. Ivana Petrovic (+180)
  • Brandon Moreno Reveals What The ‘Break Point’ Was That Led Him To Taking A Hiatus

    Brandon Moreno Reveals What The ‘Break Point’ Was That Led Him To Taking A Hiatus

    Following his second consecutive loss inside the Octagon, Brandon Moreno announced that he would be taking some time off before coming back. The former UFC flyweight champion has fought in nothing but main events and title fights since December of 2020 when he first shared the cage with Deiveson Figueiredo.

    His recent performances haven’t necessarily been bad either, having lost split decisions to the current champion Alexandre Pantoja and top contender Brandon Royval. However, the former two-time flyweight titleholder felt that something wasn’t right.

    Though he admitted on media day that it was hard for him to not take a fight again just a few weeks after his defeat in February, Moreno stuck to his word and spent some quality time healing with his family. He’s now back this weekend to headline the UFC’s stop off in Edmonton where he faces Amir Albazi in a top five match-up.

    In a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri, Moreno spoke about what it was about his last fight that made him realize that he needed to step away for a while and how that has helped him to come back at his best.

    “In my mind, like trying to remember that moment in the fight like I wasn’t there, you know. My body was there and I was throwing punches, whatever, but my mind wasn’t there and that’s what made me feel very frustrated because I know I’m much better than the guy who fought last February so in that point, I think that’s the break point like, you know, I have to take a little step back. I have to take a little break. It wasn’t like a huge break but those months out of competition, out of thinking about my next fight, my next opponent, help me a lot to heal.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA23OT3MXHg&t=374s
  • Alexandre Pantoja Predicts Moreno vs. Albazi Winner At UFC Edmonton

    Alexandre Pantoja Predicts Moreno vs. Albazi Winner At UFC Edmonton

    This weekend in Edmonton, top five flyweights meet in the main event as Amir Albazi looks for his biggest win to date when facing the former champion, Brandon Moreno. We already know who Alexander Pantoja’s next title challenger is but either man can put themselves in the mix with a win here.

    For Moreno, it’s going to be hard for him to earn a shot at Pantoja after losing to the Brazilian champion three times in his career. It’s still important for the Mexican star to bounce back here following his loss to Brandon Royval in February.

    Albazi is one of the few new contenders at the top of the rankings who would provide a new challenge for Pantoja, assuming that the champion is able to retain the title in his fight with Kai Asakura at UFC 310 in December. He’s riding a five-fight winning streak since signing with the UFC and adding Moreno to that list will put him within reach.

    In a recent interview with Sherdog, Pantoja gave his thoughts on how he sees this weekend’s main event playing out. He also spoke about how he sees a fight against the winner playing out if it does happen down the line.

    “I think Albazi has more chance to get the victory. He’s very close to fight for the belt, I think he not gonna miss the opportunity, you know. Moreno is an incredible fighter, former champ, but maybe Albazi want more in that moment. Albazi maybe want more and his grappling is very good. I don’t know if Moreno can defend the takedown shots. I don’t know if Moreno, his boxing, can work against Albazi because Albazi moves a lot, he has very good wrestling.

    “I think that fight is going to be a decision for Albazi and I don’t want to say like if you have an easy fight or something like that but I like to grapple. I think in that moment right now, a grappler for me, it’s a perfect fight. It’s a good challenge of course, all is different but I have very good jiu-jitsu and I’m very comfortable in the ground game.”

  • Brandon Moreno Set To Return In UFC Fight Night Edmonton Main Event On Nov. 2

    Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will bring his brief layoff to an end in the “Great White North” later this year.

    The changes keep on coming for the promotion’s return to Edmonton in Canada on November 2. When the card was originally announced, a flyweight showdown between Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield was set as the main event, with heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Alexandr Romanov co-headlining.

    But after the latter of those bouts was split in two to create fresh matchups, the UFC Fight Night in Alberta now has a new headline pairing.

    UFC CEO Dana White revealed in a social media video this week that Mexico’s Moreno (21-8-2) will make his return in the main event for a rearranged clash against rising contender Amir Albazi (17-1).

    Moreno Looks To End Losing Skid, Albazi’s Perfect UFC Record

    When he makes the walk this November, Moreno will be looking to break his first losing skid since 2018.

    “The Assassin Baby” enjoyed a strong start to 2023, regaining the flyweight gold from longtime rival Deiveson Figueiredo six months on from an interim title win over Kai Kara-France. But as was the case with his first reign, Moreno fell short in his attempt at recording a successful defense, with Alexandre Pantoja emerging victorious from their Fight of the Year war at UFC 290.

    The Mexican return this past February for an appearance on home soil, where he was scheduled to do battle with Albazi. But after an injury forced the Iraqi out, Moreno fell on the wrong side of a narrow split decision against replacement opponent Brandon Royval.

    While he announced plans to take an extended period away from the cage to recharge, Moreno will be back in action just nine months later, looking for his matchup with Albazi to make it to the cage at the second time of trying.

    For “The Prince,” the Nov. 2 headliner marks the opportunity for him to stake his claim for a first shot at title glory on MMA’s biggest stage. The former Brave CF standout has gone 5-0 in the Octagon thus far, most recently outpointing Kara-France in a tight five-round main event at the Apex in June 2023.

    With this addition, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC Fight Night Edmonton on Nov. 2 are as follows:

    • Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi (flyweight main event)
    • Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas (women’s flyweight co-main event)
    • Derrick Lewis vs. Jhonata Diniz (heavyweight)
    • Pedro Munhoz vs. Aiemann Zahabi (bantamweight)
    • Ariane da Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (women’s flyweight)
    • Mike Malott vs. Trevin Giles (welterweight)
    • Marc-André Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (middleweight)
    • Serhiy Sidey vs. Garrett Armfield (bantamweight)
    • Alexandr Romanov vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (heavyweight)
    • Chad Anheliger vs. Cody Gibson (bantamweight)
    • Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Ivana Petrović (women’s flyweight)
    • Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro (light heavyweight)
    Amir Albazi
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

  • Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 4 Reportedly Targeted For July

    UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo is reportedly set to face familiar foe Brandon Moreno in the first title defense of his second reign.

    Per Ariel Helwani’s Substack, the promotion have settled on the pair, who have shared the Octagon three times across the past year-and-a-half, as the next championship clash at 125 pounds.

    The tetralogy, which is being targeted for July, will represent the flyweight division’s fourth consecutive championship collision between Moreno and Figueiredo.

    After seeming unstoppable following two brutal victories over the now-retired Joseph Benavidez, as well as first-round opening defense against Alex Perez, Figueiredo hoped to close out 2020 with a fourth comfortable triumph when he met Moreno at UFC 256.

    While he left Las Vegas’ Apex with his reign in tact and the gold still in his possession, it was far from an easy night for the Brazilian, whose win streak was halted thanks to the Mexican’s grit to fight for a majority draw. That, as expected, forced a rematch between the elite flyweight duo six months later.

    At UFC 263 last June, Moreno shocked the word by securing a heart-warming title crowning. He did so by submitting “Deus Da Guerra” in the third frame via rear-naked choke inside Arizona’s Gila River Arena.

    After top contender Alexandre Pantoja couldn’t make the UFC’s desired December date, Figueiredo was given an immediate chance at redemption, which went down one month later than planned on January 22 earlier this year. In a five-round war at UFC 270, the Brazilian chose power over volume, a strategy that paid off in the form of a unanimous decision verdict and the sound of ‘and new’ in front of a Moreno-supporting California crowd.

    Despite the pair’s saga sitting at 1-1-1 across three outings, some in the MMA community will undoubtedly be surprised at the latest revelation, with many previously expecting this weekend’s bout between Askar Askarov and Kai Kara-France at UFC Columbus to determine the next contender.

    It won’t come as a shock, however, to Figueiredo’s manager, who suggested an immediate fourth fight was likely following his client’s January success.

    Usman/Edwards 2 & Figueiredo/Moreno 4 In International Fight Week?

    If the targeted July date comes to fruition, fans may be in store for a blockbuster championship double-header. The UFC 276 pay-per-view appears set to go down from Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena during International Fight Week on July 2.

    If Moreno vs. Figueiredo 4 is added to the card, it may well slot in behind the rematch between reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman and top contender Leon Edwards.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” is currently recovering from hand surgery, but both Ali Abdelaziz And UFC President Dana White have identified July as the likely return of the 170-pound king.

    Having shared the UFC 270 card with the heavyweight unification clash between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, Moreno and Figueiredo are certainly used to providing an exciting appetizer for a fellow championship fight.

    If the rumors are to be believed, their tetralogy may well be in as similar spot this summer.

    Who do you think will win if this fight comes to fruition, Deiveson Figueiredo or Brandon Moreno?

  • Moreno Reveals The Main Frustration He Had As Champion

    Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has revealed the main concern he had in the weeks following his title crowning last year.

    In a year filled with memorable gold-winning performances, including Glover Teixeira’s late ascent to the light heavyweight mountaintop at UFC 267 and Julianna Peña’s upset victory over former two-division queen Amanda Nunes at UFC 269, another heart-warming moment came in the form of Mexico’s first titleholder.

    Having fought to a draw in his first opportunity in 2020, Moreno was granted an immediate second crack at dethroning the previously-dominant Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 263 last June. After imposing his will in the opening two rounds, “The Assassin Baby” floored “Deus Da Guerra” in the third frame and submitted him with a tight rear-naked choke.

    From a release in 2018 to gold around his waist in 2021, Moreno’s journey has certainly been a special one.

    Moreno: I Was Concerned And Afraid After UFC 263

    While the moment will go down as one of the career-defining victories for Moreno and represented the start of a rise to stardom in the sport, championship status wasn’t without its hardships.

    During an appearance on The Fight with Teddy Atlas in the aftermath of his trilogy loss to Figueiredo at UFC 270, Moreno reflected on his experience with the belt.

    “So, I need to be very honest with you guys. I remember immediately after the fight (UFC 263), my manager told me, like, ‘Hey man, go to home and do a little bit with your family because you will be busy for a few weeks.’ I did a media tour in Mexico City, I had a media tour in Los Angeles, and a little one in San Diego I think,” said Moreno. “I did a lot of things and, you know, a lot of interviews. I meet a lot of people, a lot of famous people in Mexico; I meet the president of my country, so that’s crazy.”

    But while it allowed him to interact with the likes of Canelo Álvarez and the President of Mexico, the 28-year-old admitted the change in his routine and inability to maintain his training schedule caused him concern and frustration for the first month of his reign.

    “That was like, three weeks, one month (after winning the title). In that month, I was a little bit concerned and a little bit afraid because my rhythm of training is high, very high. I have to train like two to three times per day, every single day,” added Moreno.

    “In that moment, I was doing a lot of media and a lot of videos and, in my mind, I was a little bit frustrated because all the other contenders in my division, they’re training so hard and trying to get the title. Now, I have a little target on my back with all these guys (coming after it), and I was putting my pretty face in the cameras and everything. I was a little bit concerned and frustrated.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZHxtYhrYBJ/

    While the belt may no longer be in his possession, the goal remains the same for Moreno; grow the sport of MMA in his home country and achieve success, both for himself and his family.

    For “The Assassin Baby,” the way to do that is by regaining the title in a fourth clash with arch-rival Figueiredo.

    Would you like to see an immediate fourth fight between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo? If not, who should “The Assassin Baby” face next?

  • Moreno: Regaining Title Will Be For Myself, My Family & My Country

    Brandon Moreno is even more fired up to regain the flyweight championship after his UFC 270 loss to Deiveson Figueiredo.

    At UFC 263, Brandon Moreno defeated Deiveson Figueiredo and became the first Mexican-born UFC champion.

    Brandon Moreno
    Brandon Moreno at UFC 263, Photo Credit: Getty Images

    On January 22, “The Assassin Baby” had his first opportunity to defend the flyweight throne, but lost by a unanimous decision. Figueiredo took back the belt, and now Moreno is more determined to win the championship.

    But for Moreno, regaining the belt is about much more than owning the flyweight champion title. As Mexico’s first and only UFC champion, Moreno carries a lot of weight on his shoulders.

    “Man, right now, my fire is like, wow, I feel like I’m more (hungry) right now in myself, and more right now because I lost the title. I need to fix something, I need to do something in my life. I want that title back. I’m hungry because I wanna do a lot of huge things in my life, for my family, for my country. Last fight (UFC 263), with the title, the mixed martial arts in Mexico grow a lot. I need to keep working on that. Obviously, I’m very, in some points, very selfish. I want to keep doing everything for myself and my family. But, if I can help my country to do something and help other kids to accomplish their dreams, I will,” Moreno told Teddy Atlas on The Fight.

    And after such a close decision, 48-47 by all judges, we will more than likely be seeing Figueiredo vs Moreno 4.

    Being the world champion comes with heavy responsibility, especially if you are the first in your country to accomplish it. Moreno shares that record with Kamaru Usman, who became Africa’s first UFC champion in 2019.

    A champion has the power to promote positive change. People who grew up in a similar lifestyle or culture to Moreno now have someone to look up to because something they thought impossible has just been achieved.

    And to balance training, family life, and being the world champion is no easy task, yet some fighters make it look easy.

    Amanda Nunes, Kamaru Usman, Julianna Pena
    Amanda Nunes, Kamaru Usman, Julianna Pena; Photo Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC / Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC / Instagram

    For example, Amanda Nunes and her wife have a baby girl. Kamaru Usman also has a wife and a daughter to build a future for. And Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Julianna Pena, is also a mom.

    Now that Moreno has experienced failure and being a champion, reevaluating his focus could be what puts him back on top of his game.

    Moreno V. Figueiredo

    Brandon Moreno, Dana White, Deiveson Figueiredo
    Brandon Moreno, Dana White, Deiveson Figueiredo; Photo Credit: UFC 270 face-off

    Since 2020, Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo have only seen each other as opponents in the cage.

    The flyweights spent 13 rounds together in the Octagon.

    Their first fight at UFC 256 ended in a draw. They would fight again to settle the draw at UFC 263 in 2021. “The Assassin Baby” finished “Dues Da Guerra” by rear-naked choke in round 3 and became the new flyweight champion.

    It was a major feat for himself and Mexico, which never saw a UFC champion until that moment.

    Deiveson Figueiredo obviously wanted the belt back. Before UFC 270 began, the Brazilian let everyone know he wanted the trilogy to avenge his loss. And when their last bout was won by unanimous decision, the belt returned to Figureido.

    Should this bout take place, it will be the first time in UFC history that two fighters compete against each other for a world title four times. But the question is, will the fight take place immediately, as their sequel and trilogy bouts did? That question remains unanswered.

    How soon do you want to see Brandon Moreno fight Deiveson Figueiredo again for the flyweight belt?

  • Figueiredo Wants To Avoid A Mexico Fight Following Post-UFC 270 Abuse

    UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo does not want to defend his title in Mexico due to the “prejudiced” nature of the country.

    Figueiredo began his second reign on the 125-pound throne at the opening pay-per-view of 2022 last month. In the UFC 270 co-main event, “Deus da Guerra” shared the Octagon with Brandon Moreno for the third time.

    Having failed to defeat “The Assassin Baby” in a December 2020 draw and losing the gold to the Mexican last June at UFC 263, Figueiredo hoped to level the score in Anaheim in front of a largely hostile crowd.

    After five rounds of action, the Brazilian did just that. Seemingly thanks to knockdowns in the third and fifth frames, Figueiredo was awarded the unanimous decision verdict, with all three judges seeing the fight 48-47 in his favor.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZD5QIvLvs8/

    Figueiredo Pours Cold Water On Moreno’s Hopes Of A Mexico Crowning

    With the pair’s feud now at 1-1-1, this chapter of their careers seems to be far from over and could see an immediate historical tetralogy go down later this year, something Moreno believes he more than deserves.

    But while the newly-crowned champion and his manager appeared to envision a fourth fight with the Mexican happening soon, the tune appears to have changed. Having recently claimed it would take a million-dollar check to get him back in the cage with “The Assassin Baby” and suggested an interest in facing top contender Kai Kara-France, Figueiredo has now shut down talk of a possible defense in Mexico.

    During a recent appearance on Combate’s Mundo da Luta podcast, the flyweight king revealed his team is targeting a Brazil outing. Despite previously expressing a desire to defeat Moreno on the former champ’s home turf, post-fight “prejudiced” comments have left “Deus Da Guerra” with little desire to venture to his rival’s nation.

    “If we fight in Mexico, we’re sure not to go out with Cejudo from there because people want his head in Mexico,” said Figueiredo. “We’re going to ask this fight for Brazil, or anywhere else, except Mexico. Even I don’t want to go there. Guys are pretty prejudiced too, some Mexicans come to me calling me ‘monkey’ and stuff. Through that, I don’t want to fight in Mexico.” (h/t BJPenn.com)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH2Y_nv3UG/

    With the likes of Kara-France, Askar Askarov, and Alexandre Pantoja waiting in the wings for a shot at gold, a fourth fight between Figueiredo and Moreno is certainly not an obvious and clear-cut choice for the UFC.

    Nevertheless, if the promotion does choose to go down that path, it appears unlikely “The Assassin Baby” will have the chance to dethrone Figueiredo in front of a home crowd, especially while the champ is training with Henry Cejudo.

    Would you like to see Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno meet again for a historical fourth fight?