FAST and FURIOUS
THIS COMBO IS UNREAL! @TheAssassinBaby
#UFCBrasilia pic.twitter.com/8ZsGBygSHQ— UFC (@ufc) March 14, 2020
Brandon Moreno seems to have gotten into a rhythm lately as he’s been on a hot streak of performances that have shown his grit, determination and skill. Saturday was no different.
Moreno (17-5-1) fought tooth-and-nail with Jussier Formiga in the featured preliminary bout at UFC Fight Night 170 in Brasilia, Brazil. The fight was as close as they come, with each man landing plenty of hard strikes and engaging in thrilling grappling on the canvas. Moreno was awarded with a shocking unanimous decision in a fight many felt he lost, but his performance will go down in the record books as a win over one of the toughest flyweights in the world.
“I can’t believe it,” a jubilant Moreno said after he was declared the victor. “It was a tough fight with a veteran who fought the best of the best in the UFC. Winning was incredible. I am excited, very happy with my future, because, as I said, I want to reach the end of the path, and the end of the path is the title. I believe. I want to win, and I feel I deserve it.”
Moreno is juiced at the notion of continuing to climb the 125-pound ladder and he feels it’s just a matter of another win or two before he finds himself in the middle of a world title fight. Beating Formiga was the first major step in achieving that goal and Moreno is very keen as to where everybody rests on the flyweight mountain.
“Beating Formiga, who already beat Deiveson [Figueiredo], this is the mathematics of mixed martial arts,” he said. “One wins the other, the other wins the one, it’s crazy. Formiga is a great name, he fought the best of the best, won many and very well. Bringing the win today gives me great expectations for a fight against Deiveson Figueiredo.”
Figueiredo last fought in February where he flattened Joseph Benavidez in the second round for the vacant title. However, Figueiredo didn’t make weight and since he knocked Benavidez out, the crown remains vacant. Since there was so much controversy surrounding that fight, fans and media have been clamoring for a rematch to crown a true champion, and it’s something the young Mexican understands.
“I want to wait a while to see what the UFC will decide on the rematch of Figueiredo and Benavidez,” he admitted. “But I would love for the next fight to be for the title. But if not, I’m ready to face anyone who makes sense.”