Tag: Brandon Moreno

Former Opponent Says He Massively Enjoyed Watching Brandon Moreno’s Bounce Back 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 […]

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#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.”

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“I’d Make Him Dance” – Manel Kape Takes Aim at Brandon Moreno’s Performance

"I’d Make Him Dance": Manel Kape Takes Aim at Brandon Moreno’s PerformanceManel Kape would love to see Brandon Moreno stand and trade with him. Returning to the Octagon on Saturday…

"I’d Make Him Dance": Manel Kape Takes Aim at Brandon Moreno’s Performance

Manel Kape would love to see Brandon Moreno stand and trade with him.

Returning to the Octagon on Saturday night in Edmonton, ‘The Assassin Baby’ delivered a lights-out performance against Amir Albazi in the evening’s main event, securing a decisive unanimous decision and cementing his status as one of the flyweight division’s top contenders.

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The win snapped a two-fight losing skid for the former flyweight champion that saw him drop back-to-back split decisions against Brandon Royval and reigning titleholder Alexandre Pantoja.

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Depending on how things play out in Pantoja’s next title defense against RIZIN star Kai Asakura at UFC 310 on December 7, Moreno could be the next man in line for a shot at the gold. On the other hand, Moreno may need one more win to secure another crack at the crown.

If that turns out to be the case, Kape would love to be the one to go toe-to-toe with the ex-champ and make him dance inside the Octagon.

Manel Kape

“I would like to see Moreno stand like that in front of me, I would make him dance the chicken dance,” Kape wrote on X. “But we have to give the credits, good performance.”

Manel Kape faces a tough test against Bruno Silva on December 14

If ‘Starboy’ wants a shot at the UFC’s first Mexican-born champion, he’ll have to pass a tough test when he meets streaking standout Bruno Silva.

Manel Kape

Coming off four-straight finishes, including a second-round TKO against Cody Durden in July, Silva will look to break into the flyweight top 10 when he meets the eighth-ranked Kape at UFC Tampa on December 14.

Kape goes into the bout having won four of his last five, though he will be looking to bounce back after suffering a unanimous decision loss against Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 in Manchester.

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 […]

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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.”

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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” […]

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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.

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja Reacts To Former Opponent Brandon Moreno’s UFC Edmonton Win at MMA News.

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 […]

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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.

Continue Reading Amir Albazi Issues First Statement On Lopsided Loss To Brandon Moreno At UFC Edmonton at MMA News.