Brandon Moreno, the former flyweight champion, finally achieved a victory in front of his home crowd. He demonstrated superior striking skills throughout five rounds to defeat Steve Erceg in the main event of UFC Mexico on Saturday.
While the performance wasn`t completely dominant, Moreno`s ability to outwork and outstrike Erceg gave him a clear advantage on the scorecards. He consistently frustrated the Australian fighter. After previous mixed results in Mexico City (0-2-1), Moreno left no doubt this time, securing a definitive win.
All three judges scored the fight 49-46 in favor of Moreno, awarding him a unanimous decision victory. This marks his second consecutive win after a period of losses. Following this victory, Moreno is already looking towards his next fight. He expressed interest in competing at UFC 320, the upcoming Noche UFC event scheduled for September 13th in Mexico.
“I’ve gone through so much to be here. I know how hard it is for so many of you to get a ticket to be here. This is all for you,” Moreno exclaimed to the cheering audience.
Addressing UFC executive Hunter Campbell, Moreno added, “Hunter, who really knows what I deserve? I don’t know what I deserve. But I really believe I can draw attention, so let’s aim for a pay-per-view event in Guadalajara. Let’s do it!”
Although not his most flawless performance, Moreno executed what was necessary to win. Erceg, on the other hand, might reflect on missed opportunities and mistakes that prevented him from securing the victory.
“I thought I landed good strikes, but clearly it wasn`t enough,” Erceg commented. “I endured five rounds, and I will continue to improve and return stronger.”
The fight was predominantly a striking contest for the entire 25 minutes. Moreno clearly aimed for a knockout, utilizing a variety of punches and combinations. He landed a significant blow on Erceg in the first round, but Erceg recovered well and continued the fight.
Despite absorbing more strikes, Erceg displayed resilience, landing effective straight punches and well-timed uppercuts when Moreno advanced. Erceg also attempted straight kicks to maintain distance from Moreno.
Moreno remained persistent, constantly seeking to connect with powerful punches, although he didn`t frequently put together combinations. However, Moreno`s strikes were delivered with such speed that Erceg struggled to evade the most impactful blows.
Erceg appeared to anticipate much of Moreno`s offensive strategy, but he couldn`t establish effective counters to shift the momentum. Eventually, Moreno closed the distance and attempted takedowns, maintaining his lead on the scorecards.
As the final round progressed, Moreno consistently used a left jab, followed by the overhand right that had proven successful throughout the fight. Even when the overhand right didn`t land, the threat of Moreno`s power kept Erceg on the defensive.
Moreno also landed a head kick late in the fight, eliciting a strong reaction from the crowd. The fight briefly paused when both fighters went to the ground. Ultimately, Moreno`s relentless pressure and higher work rate proved decisive in the judges` decision.
Considering Moreno`s status as a former champion and his large Mexican fanbase, it`s highly likely his request to fight at UFC 320 in September will be granted. The remaining question is who he will face, as numerous top flyweight contenders are available for what is expected to be a prominent position on the pay-per-view card.
