Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi squared off in a Flyweight contest earlier tonight (Sat. Nov. 2, 2024) at UFC Edmonton inside Rogers Center in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Moreno started the fight off with a long, popping jab. Albazi stayed coiled, looking to the find the timing on his overhand right. Instead, it was Moreno who connected first with his power hand at about the midway point in the first. Albazi answered with a heavy calf kick and worked to establish his own jab. Another overhand from Moreno seemed to wobble his opponent’s knees for a brief moment. He punctuated a slower opening round with a combination and low kick of his own.
Early in the second, Moreno fired a left high kick that buckled Albazi for a brief moment. The Iraqi athlete tried to switch up his approach with a clinch, but Moreno shoved him away easily. As Moreno really started heating up, Albazi by comparison looked quite stiff. His second takedown attempt was more successful, yet Moreno still popped back to his feet with relative ease. The former Flyweight champion seemed to really find his timing in the second, allowing him to build his combinations and mix up his targets.
By the end of the second, Moreno was really teeing off on Albazi.
Albazi came out active in the third, feinting a takedown to land a clubbing left hook. Moreno was throwing with bad intentions, trying to take Albazi’s head off with huge swings. Still, he snuck body shots into his offense too. Albazi was starting to find a bit more success with his own right hand, but he didn’t seem to be fully committing to the punches. Conversely, Moreno’s punches shook Albazi on several occasions.
Despite being ahead on the cards, it was Moreno who entered the championship rounds firing in combination. The Mexican athlete was fighting with supreme confidence, totally in the slow state. Albazi tried to mix the front kick into his attack, but he still seemed a little stunned by Moreno’s boxing advantage. Meanwhile, Moreno’s jab and double jab continued to score with regularity.
With five minutes remaining, Albazi desperately needed a finish. Again, however, it was Moreno pushing the pace and landing hard shots. After a wrestling exchange, Moreno broke the clinch with a huge left hook that rocked Albazi. The wrestler moved into desperation mode, holding the clinch to survive. The finish didn’t materialize, but Moreno absolutely styled on him for the final five, doing a bunch more damage in the process and setting the Flyweight record for significant strikes landed per the broadcast.
Unsurprising, Moreno picked up the wide decision win.
This was the exact performance Moreno needed after his brief time away from competition. Indeed, “The Assassin Baby” looked rejuvenated and at his best. This version of Moreno is a threat to every Flyweight on the roster, and it’s incredible to have him back!
Result: Moreno defeats Albazi via unanimous decision
For complete UFC Edmonton results and play-by-play, click HERE!