Brandon Moreno believes he’s done enough for an additional shot at UFC Champion Alexandre Pantoja.
At 31 years old, the two-time UFC Flyweight Champion is hungry to get his belt back after losing it to Alexandre Pantoja somewhat greater than two years ago.
Moreno gave rival Pantoja considered one of his absolute hardest fights at UFC 290 in 2023, unable to secure the choice victory across five rounds as two out of the three judges scored the fight for Pantoja.
Fast forward to now, ‘The Assassin Baby’ is riding back-to-back wins over Amir Albazi and former title challenger Steve Erceg. Moreno was cageside for Pantoja’s successful title defense against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317, where he had searched for an indication that he was next in line for the title.
While the camera panned to Moreno at one point, it was Joshua Van who faced off with the victorious Pantoja contained in the Octagon. Van had called for the moment after the 23-year-old defeated no. 1 contender Brandon Royval within the previous fight.
How does Moreno feel about Van potentially beating him to a title shot?
Brandon Moreno says he deserves title fight, so does Joshua Van
Moreno says his fighting profession is in a ‘really weird position’ straight away.
Stuck attempting to get a fight, Moreno has made it clear he thinks he’s deserving of a UFC title opportunity against the champion Pantoja.
“I don’t have like, really nothing,” Moreno said of his situation on the Jaxxon Podcast.
“I don’t know what’s happening. I’m not in hell, I’m in limbo. I don’t have a fight coming soon…
“After I beat Albazi and Erceg, who did a tremendous fight against Alexandre Pantoja, I feel I deserve opportunity on the title.
“But again, the division is somewhat bit weird straight away because we now have Van. He did a tremendous job in his last fight. We’ve Manel Kape. We’ve myself with plenty of good arguments to attempt to get a fight for the title. So it’s weird.”
Despite his role in all of this, Moreno wouldn’t snub Van of a title fight either. Van is 8-1 within the promotion and ranked #1 within the flyweight division.
“I feel at the tip [of the day], he just beat the primary within the rankings, that’s why he deserves the fight for the title,” Moreno said of Van.
“I [met] him in Kansas City after I was running, training in Glory MMA. I meet him there and we train somewhat together. I don’t don’t have anything bad to say against him. He’s a really cool dude. He deserves what he’s getting straight away, but, man, at the tip [of the day], we’re here in a contest,” Moreno added.
Brandon Moreno confirms he won’t fight at Noche UFC
In flyweight ‘limbo’, many thought Moreno’s next stop can be at Noche UFC on Sept. 13.
The third annual Noche UFC event, commemorating the Mexican fighting spirit and Mexican Independence Day, was initially set to go down in Guadalajara, Mexico, but was ultimately moved to San Antonio, Texas.
Moreno, considered one of the best Mexican fighters of all time, wasn’t asked to fight on the cardboard.
“September thirteenth is Noche UFC but I don’t don’t have anything,” Moreno said regarding fight offers.
“Don’t have any official offer from these guys. So, that’s why I’m attempting to benefit from this free time to [get better].
“But at the identical time, man, I’m dying attempting to get right into a fight…
“I may be the champion again,” said Moreno.