Brandon Moreno delighted his home fans by defeating Steve Erceg in the UFC Mexico main event. The former flyweight champion demonstrated superior striking skills over five rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory.
Although the fight wasn`t completely one-sided, Moreno`s consistent striking and higher work rate earned him the judges` favor. After previous unsuccessful outings in Mexico City, Moreno made sure there was no doubt about the result this time.
All judges scored the bout 49-46 in favor of Moreno, marking his second consecutive win after a period of losses. Looking ahead, Moreno expressed interest in competing at UFC 320, the next Noche UFC event in Mexico scheduled for September 13.
“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 told the cheering crowd.
He then addressed UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell, saying, “Hunter, who really knows what I deserve? I don’t know what I deserve. But I really believe I can move the needle and let’s go for the pay-per-view in Guadalajara. Let’s f*cking go. Let’s f*cking do it!”
While not his most flawless performance, Moreno executed what was necessary to win. Erceg may regret missed opportunities that could have changed the fight`s outcome.
“I thought I landed pretty well but obviously it wasn’t enough,” Erceg admitted. “I went five rounds, I’ll keep getting better. I’ll get back.”
The fight was primarily a striking battle, with Moreno actively seeking a knockout and landing various punches and combinations. He connected with a strong shot in the first round, but Erceg recovered.
Despite absorbing more strikes, Erceg remained resilient, landing accurate straight punches and uppercuts when Moreno moved forward. Erceg also attempted straight kicks to maintain distance.
Moreno pressed forward, consistently aiming for powerful strikes but not always putting together combinations. However, his speed made it difficult for Erceg to evade the heavier blows.
Erceg seemed to anticipate some of Moreno`s attacks but struggled to create effective counters. Moreno eventually closed the distance and attempted takedowns, maintaining a lead on the scorecards.
As the fight neared its end, Moreno utilized his left jab and overhand right, a successful technique throughout the fight. Even when missing, Moreno`s power kept Erceg cautious and less likely to take risks.
Moreno also landed a head kick late in the fight, exciting the crowd. Ultimately, the fight concluded on the ground. Moreno`s relentless pace and higher work rate proved decisive in securing the victory.
Given Moreno`s status as a former champion and his popularity in Mexico, it is likely his request to fight at UFC 320 in September will be granted. The question now is who he will face, with numerous top flyweights available for a prominent spot on the pay-per-view event.
