Brandon Moreno
The Assassin Baby
Mexico
Needs new opponent
Moreno will need a new opponent for UFC Mexico on Feb. 28 after Asu Almabayev (undisclosed) withdrew from the fight, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Moreno was planning to bounce back against Almabayev following his recent defeat to Tatsuro Taira, but now he needs a new challenger. Moreno will try to defend his No. 4 spot in the flyweight rankings, but it's unclear who he'll be facing.
Moreno was planning to bounce back against Almabayev following his recent defeat to Tatsuro Taira, but now he needs a new challenger. Moreno will try to defend his No. 4 spot in the flyweight rankings, but it's unclear who he'll be facing.
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Quick turnaround on tap
Moreno is scheduled to compete against Asu Almabayev in a flyweight fight at UFC Mexico on Feb. 28, MMA reporter Ariel Helwani reports.
ANALYSIS
Less than a week after getting finished by Tatsuro Taira, Moreno will look to get back on track with a strong start to his 2026. 2025 saw the Mexican go 1-1, with his lone win via decision over Steve Erceg in Mexico. Moreno will defend his No. 4 spot in the flyweight rankings against the division's No. 7, who went 2-1 this year.
Less than a week after getting finished by Tatsuro Taira, Moreno will look to get back on track with a strong start to his 2026. 2025 saw the Mexican go 1-1, with his lone win via decision over Steve Erceg in Mexico. Moreno will defend his No. 4 spot in the flyweight rankings against the division's No. 7, who went 2-1 this year.
First stoppage loss of career
Moreno lost to Tatsuro Taira via TKO (punches) at 2:24 of Round 2 at UFC 323 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's the first stoppage loss of Moreno's storied career, and it may have been been a slightly early one from referee Mark Smith. Regardless, Brandon didn't look very good. He won Round 1 because he had Taira trapped in a modified triangle choke nearly the entire round, but he never appeared close to actually earning the submission. He was muscled to the mat early in Round 2 and never able to recover. Taira eventually ended up in a dominant position, and Smith had seen enough following several unanswered blows to the side of the head. Set to turn 33 years of age Sunday, Moreno falls to 2-3 in his past five fights dating back to July 2023, although both those losses (Brandon Royval, Alexandre Pantoja) came via split decision. He has work to do to get back into the title discussion at 125 pounds.
It's the first stoppage loss of Moreno's storied career, and it may have been been a slightly early one from referee Mark Smith. Regardless, Brandon didn't look very good. He won Round 1 because he had Taira trapped in a modified triangle choke nearly the entire round, but he never appeared close to actually earning the submission. He was muscled to the mat early in Round 2 and never able to recover. Taira eventually ended up in a dominant position, and Smith had seen enough following several unanswered blows to the side of the head. Set to turn 33 years of age Sunday, Moreno falls to 2-3 in his past five fights dating back to July 2023, although both those losses (Brandon Royval, Alexandre Pantoja) came via split decision. He has work to do to get back into the title discussion at 125 pounds.
Fighting Tatsuro Taira
Moreno will fight Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 on Dec. 6, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Moreno will face off against Taira, who rebounded from his first professional defeat by defeating Hyun Sung Park via a second-round submission. Moreno has won back-to-back fights after dropping two straight before then.
Moreno will face off against Taira, who rebounded from his first professional defeat by defeating Hyun Sung Park via a second-round submission. Moreno has won back-to-back fights after dropping two straight before then.
Closing in on another title shot
Moreno defeated Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Mexico City.
ANALYSIS
It was a vintage performance from Moreno. He pushed the pace on Erceg and made his strikes count, even though he landed considerably fewer than his opponent. Moreno is the type of fighter that looks busy at all times, and that's a positive thing in the eyes of the judges. He won this fight -- going away -- despite trailing 116-89 on the significant strike count and failing on four of five takedown attempts. Part of that is because Erceg's style simply isn't conducive to landing notable shots. Moreno lost two fights in a row -- both via split decision -- from July 2023 to February 2024, the second of which cost him his UFC Flyweight Championship. He rebounded with a brilliant effort in a unanimous decision win over Amir Albazi in November and was equally impressive tonight. Because of the lack of depth at the top of the 125-pound division, Moreno is going to be fighting for UFC gold once again in the not-too-distant future, and he deserves it.
It was a vintage performance from Moreno. He pushed the pace on Erceg and made his strikes count, even though he landed considerably fewer than his opponent. Moreno is the type of fighter that looks busy at all times, and that's a positive thing in the eyes of the judges. He won this fight -- going away -- despite trailing 116-89 on the significant strike count and failing on four of five takedown attempts. Part of that is because Erceg's style simply isn't conducive to landing notable shots. Moreno lost two fights in a row -- both via split decision -- from July 2023 to February 2024, the second of which cost him his UFC Flyweight Championship. He rebounded with a brilliant effort in a unanimous decision win over Amir Albazi in November and was equally impressive tonight. Because of the lack of depth at the top of the 125-pound division, Moreno is going to be fighting for UFC gold once again in the not-too-distant future, and he deserves it.
Headlines UFC Mexico against Erceg
Moreno will take on Steve Erceg in a flyweight matchup at UFC Mexico on March 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Moreno recently bounced back from a two-fight winning streak after defeating the up-and-coming Amir Albazi via unanimous decision in November. He now draws Erceg, who is on a two-fight losing streak, albeit against tough competition (including champion Alexandre Pantoja, who Moreno lost to as well). Both combatants -- who stack up similarly in height, reach and volume striking -- need a win desperately to remain relevant in the flyweight title picture.
Moreno recently bounced back from a two-fight winning streak after defeating the up-and-coming Amir Albazi via unanimous decision in November. He now draws Erceg, who is on a two-fight losing streak, albeit against tough competition (including champion Alexandre Pantoja, who Moreno lost to as well). Both combatants -- who stack up similarly in height, reach and volume striking -- need a win desperately to remain relevant in the flyweight title picture.