Don’t miss the co-main event at UFC 290 as Brandon Moreno defends his flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja. Witness Moreno’s resurgence and his pursuit of a successful retention.
| Key Points |
|---|
| UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno aims to defend his title against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290. |
| Moreno has a history with Pantoja, having lost to him twice in previous fights. |
| Despite setbacks, Moreno has experienced an incredible resurgence, winning against top fighters and becoming a two-time champ. |
| Moreno attributes his success to both technical improvements and a mental shift. |
| He aims to join the exclusive club of successful title defenses, following in the footsteps of Charles Oliveira. |
International Fight Week is set to deliver an action-packed event with a blockbuster featherweight unification fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodríguez taking the main stage. However, the co-main event at UFC 290 promises to be equally entertaining.
On Saturday, July 8, UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno will aim to secure his first successful title defense. After reclaiming the crown from Deiveson Figueiredo in January at UFC 283, the Mexican fighter is now at the beginning of his second reign.
Moreno’s History with Pantoja
To surpass the length of his first divisional rule, Moreno must overcome Alexandre Pantoja, a familiar opponent. The two fighters have previously shared the cage twice, once on The Ultimate Fighter and once under the UFC banner. Unfortunately, Moreno fell to defeat on both occasions, resulting in his release from the promotion.
Moreno’s Resurgence
Despite the setbacks, Moreno made an impressive comeback to the MMA scene. After a win in LFA, he bounced back to the UFC and has since only lost once in nine fights. His victories include notable wins against Figueiredo, Kai Kara-France, and Brandon Royval, ultimately leading to his second championship title.
In a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Moreno discussed the changes and factors that have propelled him from a released fighter to a champion within five years. He emphasized that the transformation is evident in his fights and not just empty words.
The Mental Shift
Moreno drew a parallel with Charles Oliveira, who also experienced a significant shift in his career. Oliveira initially had a mixed record in the UFC, but then started a winning streak that left fans wondering what had changed. Moreno believes he shares a similar trajectory, attributing his success to both technical improvements and a mental shift. He stated that he has simply decided to win every single time he steps into the Octagon.
Moreno’s Pursuit of Successful Retention
While Oliveira is still striving to regain the belt he lost, Moreno is determined to secure his first successful retention. Before his weight miss resulted in him dropping the lightweight strap, Oliveira successfully defended it against Dustin Poirier. Now, Moreno aims to join the Brazilian in the exclusive club of successful title defenses, with Alexandre Pantoja standing in his way.
In conclusion, UFC 290 promises an exciting showdown between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno’s resurgence in the MMA world and his determination to defend his flyweight title make this fight a must-watch for fans. Will Moreno continue his winning streak and establish himself as a dominant force in the division? Only time will tell.
