Brandon Moreno’s profession within the UFC couldn’t be described as anything lower than an outrageous success. The 2-time former flyweight champion has reached the very best of highs, been an element of history and been certainly one of the important thing figures behind MMA’s boom in Mexico.
On the subject of competing on his home soil, nevertheless, that’s an element of Moreno’s UFC profession he probably desires to ignore. He’s winless in three octagon appearances in Mexico, going 0-2-1, with the 2 defeats being in essential events against Sergio Pettis and Brandon Royval.
On Saturday, nevertheless, Moreno (22-8-2 MMA, 10-4-2 UFC) gets the prospect to show the narrative in his favor. He’s positioned in one other headlining spot at UFC on ESPN 64, this time against Steve Erceg (12-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at Arena CDMX in Mexico City (ESPN2, ESPN+).
The record at home has been a thorn within the side of Moreno. Top UFC analyst and color commentator Paul Felder understands why, but said if Moreno desires to get back to the title again, he’s going to wish to beat this hurdle.
“He’s being placed on the face of Mexican MMA and so they want him there a lot to attract attention, and that brings a number of pressure to it,” Felder told MMA Junkie. “The indisputable fact that it’s at altitude and he has to alter the way in which that he desires to train. He likes to have his own team and camp around him. Then it’s the financial burden. Bringing the entire team to altitude, prepping in altitude – it’s just a lot that goes into that. Then what number of individuals are hitting up any person like Brandon Moreno when he’s in Mexico City and he’s preparing for a essential event and he’s got to do all of the press that goes with it?
“A essential event someplace else, it’s not as big a deal for him. He can type of slip under the radar and just do the media. But whenever you’re the guy, you’re the Mexican fighter on the marquee there in your property country, it’s so much. That’s what really gets to a man like that. Some people handle that home advantage well and make it work, and I believe sometimes it breaks guys mentally.”
In accordance with the divisional standings and betting odds, Moreno, No. 3 in the most recent USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie flyweight rankings, is positioned well to get his hand raised against No. 9-ranked Erceg.
Felder notes to not count out the underdog on this position, nevertheless, and explains the 2 125-pound contenders to placed on an entertaining show under the highlight.
“I do think it would be an exciting fight,” Felder said. “Any time Brandon Moreno is in there (it’s good), and Erceg when he’s on his game, we’ve seen him at his best like in that championship fight he lost, a razor close fight to Alexandre Pantoja. Then he had one other setback after that (to Kai Kara-France), but I believe this kid, if he can really dig in and have a fun scrap with Moreno and get a win, he puts himself right back in the combination at flyweight. I like each of those guys an entire lot. That fight goes to be a number of fun.”
To listen to more from Felder, try his complete appearance above on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.
For more on the cardboard, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
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