Brandon
Moreno was once the first Mexican born champion in UFC history,
and now that he’s back on top of the flyweight division, he
envisions big things in store for fighters from his home country in
2023.
Advertisement
Moreno closed the book on his rivalry with Deiveson
Figueiredo in the UFC 283
co-main event, winning via doctor stoppage when a punch completely
closed his opponent’s right eye after three rounds. “The Assassin
Baby” sees many fighters from his country in prominent positions,
and he believes the time is right for the UFC to return to Mexico
with a signature event.
“I think as a Mexican, we deserve a pay-per-view again in Mexico
City,” Moreno said at the UFC 283 post-fight press conference. “I
think right now we have an amazing position where Yair
Rodriguez is fighting in February, Alexa
Grasso is fighting in March, and nothing is official but
Irene
Aldana looks like a really clear possibility for Amanda
[Nunes].
“So I think this is the year for the Mexicans in mixed martial
arts. I’m excited. For sure, I want to go there.”
While the much of the 2023 itinerary for the UFC remains undecided,
Moreno’s next title defense appears to be pretty clear. Alexandre
Pantoja has twice bested the Fortis MMA-trained champ: once
officially at UFC Fight Night 129 and also in an exhibition on
Season 24 of “The Ultimate Fighter 24.” Pantoja was in attendance
at UFC 283, and Moreno revealed that the conversation with the top
contender got progressively more intense when they crossed paths
backstage.
“He came [at] me and he was very friendly with me, to be honest,”
Moreno said. “When everything started, he came to me and said ‘hey
man, today I feel so happy for you, congrats for the belt’ whatever
and at that point everything was fine.
“Then he started to ask me like ‘when is our fight? In two months?
Three months? Tell me right now!’ Like, I don’t know to be honest.
Then he started to look a little bit aggressive to be honest but my
only point was let me enjoy it today. Give me today. Let me have
this moment with my friends, with my training partners, with my
wife, with my manager and then we can make [another fight] with the
social media and the trash talk, if you want but give me this
moment. That was my only point.”
While Moreno only wanted a small amount of time to enjoy his second
championship victory, he admits that Pantoja is likely next in line
for a shot at the belt. He also pointed out a couple other worthy
contenders who are making waves at 125 pounds.
“I understand how the line is right now,” Moreno said. “I think for
sure Pantoja should fight next for the title. [Matheus] Nicolau is
doing an amazing job right now, too, (and) Manel Kape.
I think those three guys are the next ones. At the end, I don’t do
the decisions. I’m just ready to fight and I’ll be ready for the
guy the UFC puts in front.”