The trajectory of Brandon Moreno’s career can be encapsulated in a brief phrase: “Everything unfolded with great rapidity.” Though he exemplifies steadfastness, he has grown accustomed to sudden shifts. This Saturday, he is slated to compete at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico for the fifth occasion, marking his fourth appearance as the main event, and at the age of 32, he is nearing the culmination of his initial ten years within the UFC. The period passed swiftly for him. This flyweight, a native of Tijuana, stands as an unforgettable personality for aficionados of Mexican MMA. By June 2021, he had achieved the distinction of becoming the inaugural Mexican-born UFC champion, having overcome Deiveson Figueiredo via an impressive rear-naked choke in the third round during UFC 263. This marked the second installment in a series of six successive title encounters spanning three years for Moreno — four of which were against Figueiredo — an interval that elapsed in an instant.
Following the conclusion of that six-championship-bout sequence, which culminated in a split decision defeat to Alexandre Pantoja in July 2023, Moreno’s record stands at 2-2, encompassing a victory by decision over Steve Erceg last March, which secured his initial triumph in Mexico City. This Saturday, the flyweight currently ranked No. 7 by ESPN, will confront Lone’er Kavanagh in a five-round contest, presenting a chance to best a promising contender and rejoin the roster of flyweight aspirants. However, a setback might relegate him to an uncertain status, positioning him as a desirable figure for gatherings targeting Latin audiences, yet far removed from any championship aspirations.
Moreno requires a definitive victory to further enhance his decade-long UFC heritage. He transformed the course of Mexican MMA history, yet as he contemplated his path, he maintained a sense of youth sufficient to persist in competing.
The ‘TUF’ entry and exciting debut
Moreno became part of the UFC amidst television theatrics. Having dedicated months as Henry Cejudo’s training associate, the erstwhile two-division champion assisted Moreno in securing a spot on the lineup for “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 24 in 2016, where Cejudo was designated to mentor a team opposing Joseph Benavidez. The competitors were ranked from 1 to 16 for a bracketed competition, with Moreno occupying the 16th position. Cejudo subsequently selected the top-seeded Pantoja for his squad, thereby assigning Moreno to Team Benavidez. Moreno was eliminated from the program subsequent to his defeat by Pantoja, and his camaraderie with Cejudo ceased.
Nonetheless, not all was forfeited. As the reality program was broadcast, a chance materialized to substitute Sergio Pettis in a bout against Louis Smolka, who was then the UFC’s No. 9-ranked flyweight. Moreno not only subdued Smolka in the initial round to secure the victory on brief notice, but he also garnered his inaugural $50,000 performance incentive.
“I was entirely immersed in the present,” Moreno conveyed to ESPN this week. “All events transpired with such speed that I had no opportunity for reflection. When I received the summons to face Louis Smolka, I did not waver; it was precisely what I desired. My contentment stemmed simply from receiving my attire, participating in photo sessions, and conducting a handful of interviews. My concentration was not directed elsewhere. The sound of [announcer] Bruce Buffer uttering my name was delightful — it facilitated my appreciation of that instant.”
Moreno stated that the incentive instantly transformed his existence.
“I found myself at a tavern following the bouts,” Moreno recollected. “[UFC matchmaker] Sean Shelby approached and informed me that I had secured the inaugural incentive. With those funds, I acquired my initial dwelling and afforded my family a more enriched life.”
He registered another triumph at “The Ultimate Fighter” finale event two months subsequently, contending with Ryan Benoit. He dispatched a ranked Dustin Ortiz the ensuing April, thereby paving the way for Moreno to partake in his inaugural UFC main event in Mexico City, facing Pettis.
The end of the first stint
Moreno held the distinction of being the first from his “TUF” cohort to headline a UFC event, yet its culmination was as swift as its inception. “It resembled my initial appearance; everything transpired rapidly,” Moreno remarked concerning his inaugural UFC defeat. “Within a single year, I engaged in three bouts, and by August 2017, I was competing against Sergio Pettis. I was youthful, aspiring to dominate the globe. I now acknowledge Sergio possessed greater seasoned wisdom. I felt assured of victory, but [his eight prior UFC contests] held considerable sway.”
Despite appearing firmly established within the promotion with a 3-1 standing, corporate leaders were contemplating the elimination of the division at that juncture, thereby jeopardizing all flyweights. Subsequent to a scheduled bout against Ray Borg in Brooklyn being called off owing to wounds Borg incurred when Conor McGregor assaulted a fighter transport vehicle preceding UFC 223, Moreno committed to a second encounter with Pantoja in Santiago, Chile, during May 2018.
“I suffered a defeat in Chile in May, accumulating two losses, and became one of the most straightforward exclusions when there was an intent to disband the division,” Moreno stated. Approximately concurrent with his dismissal, one of Moreno’s daughters commenced encountering health adversities, and the escalating medical expenditures arose without the assurance of a consistent revenue stream.
“Numerous impediments confronted me concurrently, which I was compelled to surmount,” he elucidated.
The return
Despite his connection with Cejudo having fractured, the Olympic victor inadvertently aided Moreno once more. By August 2018, Cejudo had seized the championship belt from Demetrious Johnson, thereby concluding Johnson’s 11-bout flyweight title tenure and a strained rapport with the UFC. Johnson’s exit created novel avenues for a weight category that had grown impervious.
Subsequent to a year of inactivity, “The Assassin Baby” received a proposition to contend for the flyweight championship versus Cuban Maikel Perez — a formidable adversary — within LFA, an organization that had evolved into a direct pathway to the UFC.
“I was acquainted with Maikel, had prepared alongside him, grappled with him, and he had utterly vanquished me,” Moreno recounted. “Despite my apprehension, I embraced the peril. I emerged victorious, then entered into an agreement with my present management firm, which maintains favorable corporate connections, and subsequently rejoined the UFC.”
Even though he recognized it as a perilous contest, he possessed a potent impetus for triumph: “It was a blend of liberation and an inner inferno. I could not permit my kin to endure those hardships once more on my account; it served as a profound driving force.”
The rise
Moreno re-entered into contract with the UFC a month following his LFA championship triumph, and yet again, he was proceeding with urgency. He fought to a draw with Askar Askarov in September 2019 in Mexico City during his return bout, bested Kai Kara-France three months subsequently at UFC 245, and defeated Jussier Formiga in March 2020.
That November, he encountered Brandon Royval at UFC 255, prevailing via TKO owing to an injury. On that identical evening, Figueiredo subdued Alex Perez within the initial round. Amidst one of the organization’s most intricate years, UFC CEO Dana White opted to pit Moreno against Figueiredo three weeks hence in the primary bout of UFC 256.
The contest proved to be one of the most breathtaking encounters in the division’s annals but concluded in a stalemate, initiating an antagonism that would necessitate four bouts for resolution. Moreno triumphed in the second confrontation, ascending to the 125-pound championship in June 2021. Figueiredo reclaimed the title at UFC 270 in January 2022, and twelve months subsequent, Moreno brought the narrative to a close with a TKO win in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 283. Throughout this period, Moreno also bested Kara-France a second time to secure an interim championship at UFC 277, subsequently relinquishing the belt at UFC 290
to Pantoja, yet another professional confrontation.
“Those years proved highly fruitful; I have no grievances,” Moreno stated. “I forged a trajectory for my family’s tomorrow. I journeyed extensively and toiled diligently to construct that future for my daughters and spouse. I experienced some exhaustion, yet I cannot deny the immense benefit those periods offered me. Title bouts emerged, alongside interim contests, headline events, five-round training camps, and journeys, all contributing to the formation of my career and present-day legacy.”
Subsequent to relinquishing the championship, he has confronted the premier contenders in his weight class, however, a distressing defeat by Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 last December impelled him to return to action with utmost urgency.
The Dethroned Victor
The flyweight category presents a propitious outlook, featuring a 24-year-old titleholder in Joshua Van and numerous high-caliber challengers, including Taira, Manel Kape, Kioji Horiguchi, and ex-champion Pantoja. Nevertheless, Moreno’s rapport with his supporters maintains his status as one of the most beloved combatants in the weight class.
“I prefer to believe I rank among the top 5 [overall] in this division,” Moreno stated. “No individual will displace Demetrious Johnson [from the position of the greatest flyweight ever], certainly not in the foreseeable future. The reigning champion, Joshua Van, possesses ample opportunity to forge his legacy, yet I consider myself within the top 5.”
Even so, he remains unfulfilled. He mentioned that he still perceives himself as quite youthful, but must grasp that he commenced this endeavor at an early stage in life.
“I believe my trajectory is abundant with experience,” he remarked. “I acknowledge I am the seasoned combatant in this division, yet I retain immense ambition. Ultimately, my desire is to secure the championship. However, I perceive the fundamental nature of fighting as my driving force — rivalry, early rising, self-control, exertion, and that primal urge to engage in a struggle with another individual.” Attaining the UFC championship constitutes a significant accomplishment. To lose it and then reclaim it represents an even grander achievement. Yet, accomplishing this for a third instance would undoubtedly be the pinnacle of his professional journey. Moreno foresees a situation where a triumph would place him in contention to confront another top-five challenger — thereby propelling him a stride nearer to another chance at the title.
“That achievement would elevate my name significantly within the annals of this sport,” Moreno asserted. “I am executing every action within my power — continuing to labor, rising promptly, maintaining rigorous training discipline. I stand as proof that if I aspire to fulfill my objectives, I possess the capability, and my objective is to once more claim the championship.”