Report: Brandon Moreno wants to fight Alexandre Pantoja in June

Brandon Moreno, Alexandre PantojaBrandon Moreno has his eyes set for a title defense against Alexandre Pantoja in June. The two-time UFC champion did reveal that he is interested in the matchup pending a knee MRI, according to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports.  The Tijuana native recaptured the UFC flyweight title from long-time rival Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 […]

Brandon Moreno, Alexandre Pantoja

Brandon Moreno has his eyes set for a title defense against Alexandre Pantoja in June. The two-time UFC champion did reveal that he is interested in the matchup pending a knee MRI, according to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports. 

The Tijuana native recaptured the UFC flyweight title from long-time rival Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Moreno was able to end their four-fight series by third-round TKO.

Brandon Moreno is Familiar With Alexandre Pantoja

‘The Assassin Baby’ is now interested in fighting another former opponent in Pantoja. The two 125-pounders have met twice. Their first meeting was an exhibition bout during the 24th season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) in 2016 and then two years later at UFC Fight Night 129. 

After his win at UFC 283, Moreno had a backstage interaction with Pantoja. During the post-fight press conference, Moreno said his past opponent “was very friendly” at first but quickly became “a little bit aggressive”. Moreno expressed interest in fighting his former opponent but still has to have an MRI on his knee that he injured during fight camp. 

Pantoja is officially 1-0 over the current flyweight champion. He has a unanimous decision win over Moreno in 2018. He also submitted Moreno with a rear-naked choke on TUF but exhibition wins don’t count towards official records. 

Dan Hooker: Lauren Murphy Loss Crossed Line From ‘Sporting Endeavor’ To ‘Freak Show’

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has given his take on the debate that’s followed Lauren Murphy’s loss to Jéssica Andrade. Former women’s strawweight champion Andrade was one of many Brazilians who had their hands raised at UFC 283 in Rio d…

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has given his take on the debate that’s followed Lauren Murphy’s loss to Jéssica Andrade. Former women’s strawweight champion Andrade was one of many Brazilians who had their hands raised at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro this past weekend. While the likes of Johnny Walker, Brunno Fereira, and Ismael Bonfim…

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Lauren Murphy Loss Crossed Line From ‘Sporting Endeavor’ To ‘Freak Show’ at MMA News.

Jamahal Hill predicts finish of Alex Pereira following UFC 283 title win: ‘I’ll knock him the f*ck out’

Jamahal Hill Alex Pereira UFCRecently minted undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill is ready to take on all comers to his 205lbs title since winning the belt just last weekend – including middleweight champion, Alex Pereira, claiming he would knockout the Brazilian ahead of a potential matchup. Hill, who headlined UFC 283 last weekend in Brazil, managed to […]

Jamahal Hill Alex Pereira UFC

Recently minted undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill is ready to take on all comers to his 205lbs title since winning the belt just last weekend – including middleweight champion, Alex Pereira, claiming he would knockout the Brazilian ahead of a potential matchup.

Hill, who headlined UFC 283 last weekend in Brazil, managed to clinch the vacant light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision win over the retiring former undisputed champion, Glover Teixeira on enemy soil.

Becoming the first fighter to come from Dana White’s Contender Series to win UFC gold, Hill extended his winning run to four consecutive fights with his win over Teixeira, adding to prior stoppages of Thiago Santos, Johnny Walker, and Jimmy Crute.

Jamahal Hill predicts knockout win over middleweight best, Alex Pereira

Linked with a potential fight against former undisputed champion, Jiri Prochazka in his first attempted title defense, Jamahal Hill has also been fielded as a possible next opponent for Teixeira’s teammate and compatriot, Pereira, however, claims he would knockout the middleweight phenom if they shared the Octagon.

“They tell me he (Alex Pereira) might come up [to light heavyweight],” Jamahal Hill said during a previous interview with Middleeasy. “Come on in my boy. Whenever he decides. Oh yeah, I can go up there and f*ck him up. Come on in my boy, all that smoke. I was there [at UFC 281] – I watched [the fight] live. All respect to Izzy (Israel Adesanya), but I’ll knock Pereira the f*ck out.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

In the immediate aftermath of his loss to Hill last weekend in his native Brazil, Teixeira touted Pereira as a future title challenger at 205lbs, before confirming his retirement from active competition with immediate effect. 

“In reality, I think I’m too tough for my own good,” Glover Teixeira said through an interpreter. “Too tough for my own health. I can’t keep up anymore. I’m gonna focus my energy on Alex Pereria, on ‘Po-Atan’. He’s gonna keep his [middleweight] belt for a while and then go up to light heavyweight.”

Planning an Octagon comeback as soon as May, Pereira is expected to make the middleweight walk next, welcoming an immediate title rematch with Israel Adesanya, or a title outing opposite former champion, Robert Whittaker.

Jamahal Hill: Glover Teixeira Deserved A Better Sendoff From Fans

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill wishes fans in Brazil stuck around for Glover Teixeira’s retirement announcement. Hill defeated Teixeira via unanimous decision in the UFC 283 main event last Saturday. He overwhelmed Teixeira with his …

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill wishes fans in Brazil stuck around for Glover Teixeira’s retirement announcement. Hill defeated Teixeira via unanimous decision in the UFC 283 main event last Saturday. He overwhelmed Teixeira with his boxing and controlled the pace of the fight from the opening minutes onward. After the official decision was read…

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill: Glover Teixeira Deserved A Better Sendoff From Fans at MMA News.

Cornerman Thankful His Call To Stop Glover Teixeira Fight Was Dismissed

Coach John Hackleman has expressed relief at having his call for Glover Teixeira’s headline fight at UFC 283 to be stopped prematurely dismissed by his fellow cornermen. At the opening pay-per-view event of 2023, Teixeira fell short of two-time c…

Coach John Hackleman has expressed relief at having his call for Glover Teixeira’s headline fight at UFC 283 to be stopped prematurely dismissed by his fellow cornermen. At the opening pay-per-view event of 2023, Teixeira fell short of two-time champion status in front of his home fans in Rio de Janeiro. Having missed out on…

Continue Reading Cornerman Thankful His Call To Stop Glover Teixeira Fight Was Dismissed at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya “Fired Up” After Seeing Jamahal Hill Crowned Champ

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is fired up at the prospect of regaining the title after seeing Jamahal Hill’s crowning this past weekend. At UFC 283, Hill entered hostile territory in Rio de Janeiro to challenge for the vacant l…

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is fired up at the prospect of regaining the title after seeing Jamahal Hill’s crowning this past weekend. At UFC 283, Hill entered hostile territory in Rio de Janeiro to challenge for the vacant light heavyweight belt. While his opponent, former 205-pound king Glover Teixeira, wouldn’t get put away…

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya “Fired Up” After Seeing Jamahal Hill Crowned Champ at MMA News.