Brandon
Moreno will serve as the backup fighter for the flyweight
championship bout set for the
UFC 296 co-main event.
Alexandre
Pantoja will defend his 125-pound belt against Brandon
Royval on Dec. 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Should
anything go awry with either athlete, Moreno will be available to
serve as replacement. Multiple outlets confirmed Moreno’s status
following an initial report from Eurosport
Nederland.
Moreno relinquished the flyweight strap to Pantoja via split
decision at UFC 290 in a “Fight of the Year” candidate. “The
Assassin Baby” is expected to face Amir Albazi
in a five-round, co-main event at UFC Mexico City on Feb. 24. That
could change, however, if he is called upon at UFC 296.
Pantoja previously faced Royval at UFC on ESPN 29, winning via
second-round rear-naked choke in August 2021. Royval has won three
straight fights since that defeat to secure a shot at flyweight
gold.