The recent UFC Mexico event concluded with a highly anticipated rematch between Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval. The fight was nearly four years in the making and lived up to expectations, with both fighters demonstrating significant improvements in their skill sets. However, the night ended in disappointment for Moreno, who was looking to secure a title eliminator and re-enter title contention. In front of his home crowd, he suffered a controversial split-decision loss, marking his second consecutive defeat.
This loss is particularly significant for Moreno, as it is the first losing streak of his career. Having previously lost to the flyweight champion and the division’s third-ranked fighter, Moreno’s path forward is uncertain. For the past three years, he has been a staple in the flyweight title scene, engaging in an unprecedented quadrilogy with Deiveson Figueiredo. Their bouts included a majority draw, a victory for Moreno to become the first Mexican UFC champion, a loss, and then a win to reclaim the title. However, Moreno’s inability to defend the title successfully has now seen him exit the title picture, especially following his loss to Royval and the latter’s emphatic post-fight callout of Alexandra Pantoja.
The flyweight division has evolved, with new contenders emerging and creating a more competitive landscape. Fighters like Kai Kara-France, Manel Kape, Amir Albazi, and the undefeated Dagestani wrestler Mohammad Mokaev are all making names for themselves. This shift means that Moreno can no longer expect to bounce back into title contention without first proving himself against this new wave of talent. The depth of the division now requires him to earn his way back to a title shot.
Moreno also faces the option of moving up to the bantamweight division, where intriguing matchups await, including a potential fifth bout with Figueiredo or a grudge match against Henry Cejudo. This move could be beneficial, as Moreno appeared fatigued in the later rounds against Royval, which could be attributed to the strenuous weight cut to 125 pounds. A move to bantamweight might provide the fresh start Moreno needs to rejuvenate his career.
The landscape of UFC’s flyweight division continues to change, and Brandon Moreno’s future within it is at a crossroads. Whether he decides to remain and fight his way back to title contention or seek new challenges at bantamweight, his next steps will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.
