(Chris Unger via Getty Images)
Brandon Moreno continues to remind the MMA world that he’s one of the best flyweights alive.
The former two-time UFC champion had his countrymen on their feet from the moment his entrance began inside the Arena CDMX on Saturday for the main event of UFC Mexico in Mexico City. After a fast start, Moreno was met with some resistance in the second round by his Australian counterpart Steve Erceg, however Mexico’s “Assassin Baby” stayed one step ahead for the final three rounds to secure a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46), giving Moreno his second consecutive UFC main-event win.
The sterling performance pushed Moreno to a .500 record of 3-3-1 in his home country.
“I have gone through so much to be here,” an elated Moreno said afterward. “So much dedication and so much effort. I know how hard it is for so many of you to get a ticket to be here. Thank you so much. This is all for you.
“Where’s [UFC CBO] Hunter [Campbell]? Who really knows what I really deserve? I don’t know what I deserve, but man, I really believe I can move the needle. Let’s go for the pay-per-view in Guadalajara [on Sept. 13 at Noche UFC]. Let’s f***ing go, man. Let’s f***ing do it!”
Moreno (23-8-2) made the most of his post-fight opportunity following the UFC’s announcement Saturday night that its annual Noche UFC event will be held this year in Guadalajara, Mexico. Two years after the UFC started the annual concept, Moreno has yet to compete at the Mexican showcase event.
The 31-year-old ex-champ once again looked like his vintage self, stifling Erceg for the majority of the fight with his awkward movement and pursuit of big, looping hooks. The flyweights traded consistently strong jabs throughout their five rounds before a failed head kick planted Erceg on his back in the final moments — that sequence sealed Erceg’s fate after he slightly upped his aggression when the pressure to win closed in. Despite the scorecards, Erceg put up a much more competitive effort than indicated.
According to UFC stats, Erceg outstruck Moreno unofficially 119 to 95 in total strikes, though Moreno landed the far more impactful shots. The fight was primarily a kickboxing match until the very end, when Moreno scored his lone takedown on five attempts.
With the victory, Moreno inches his way back toward a title shot and gets himself back on a win streak. His latest appearance prior to Saturday also came in a UFC main event, when he outclassed fellow title hopeful Amir Albazi en route to a unanimous decision at UFC Edmonton in November.
Erceg, on the other hand, continues his quest to return to the winner’s circle after losing his third straight UFC appearance. The Australian’s skid began with his failed title shot against the division’s champion, Alexandre Pantoja, in May 2024. Erceg also lost via first-round stoppage to Kai Kara-France in August.
The co-main event saw the emergence of a potentially new lightweight contender, as Manuel Torres starched veteran bonus-collector Drew Dober for a first-round finish.
Check out full UFC Mexico City results and highlights below, as well as Uncrowned’s play-by-play for the final four main card bouts.
Main Card
Flyweight: Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Lightweight: Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober via first-round TKO (punches) at 1:45 | Watch finish
Flyweight: Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara via first-round submission (face crank) at 2:30 | Watch finish
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer**
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira via first-round TKO (punches and knee) at 4:38 | Watch finish
Flyweight: Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez* via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Preliminary Card
Middleweight: Ateba Gautier def. Jose Daniel Medina via first-round knockout (knee and punch) at 3:32 | Watch finish
Featherweight: Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Strawweight: Loopy Godinez def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Rafa Garcia def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Featherweight: Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda via first-round knockout (punches) at 4:06 | Watch finish
Lightweight: MarQuel Mederos def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
*Rodriguez missed weight by one pound
