Brandon Moreno determined to reclaim UFC title, breaks down what could come next
There’s no denying how tough it is to win a UFC championship, but historically it might be even tougher to reclaim a UFC title after losing it.
Brandon Moreno, who held the UFC flyweight title just a year ago, is on a mission to regain what was once his after making his return earlier this month and dominating top contender Amir Albazi in the main event of UFC Fight Night 246. It was an impressive showing from Moreno (22-8-2 MMA, 10-5-2 UFC) that got his fans hopeful in his ability to compete at the championship level.
“The Assassin Baby” has set his sights again on UFC gold, and he’s confident he can once again rule the division.
“Right now I’m very focused on the title,” Moreno told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I seriously think that I can become champion again, especially after the showing that I had (against Albazi), so I’m going to stay on that path.”
Moreno lost the UFC flyweight title in July 2023, coming up short in a split decision against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290. He then dropped another split decision to Brandon Royval in February before announcing a break from MMA competition that lasted eight months.
The 30-year-old is happy to be back in the win column, but he knows there’s work to be done before he can realistically get a crack at the title.
“Being very honest with myself, I think that sporting wise, Royval is likely the one who most deserves the opportunity,” Moreno said of the title picture at flyweight. “I have no problem saying that at all. He’s done a very good job, and in his last fight against Tatsura (Taira), he looked very good. It was a great fight. There’s also Kai (Kara France), but he’s in a very weird position because I do think he can deserve it, he did have an incredible knockout against (Steve) Erceg, but I think my performance was very good, and Royval is right there, too. I think Kai has the most awkward position.
“So for me, I think I need to do one more fight. And as far as names, there’s Tatsuro Taira, Manel Kape is there, as well. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Kai Asakura – if he loses (to Pantoja at UFC 310), that can be an option. So I’m just going to be ready for whatever comes next. I’m just going to keep healthy and stay ready.”