In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Brandon Moreno, the former flyweight champion, demonstrated superior striking skills over five rounds to secure a victory against Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico.
While the fight was competitive, Moreno consistently outworked and outstruck Erceg, earning him the advantage on the judges` scorecards and frustrating his Australian opponent. After previous mixed results in Mexico City, Moreno made sure there was no doubt about his win this time.
All judges scored the fight 49-46 in favor of Moreno, awarding him a unanimous decision and his second consecutive win after a break following two losses. Looking ahead, Moreno expressed his desire to compete at UFC 320, the next Noche UFC event scheduled for September 13th in Mexico.
“I’ve been through so much to be here, and I know how much it means for you to get a ticket,” Moreno told the cheering fans.
He then appealed to UFC management, suggesting a pay-per-view event in Guadalajara, stating his belief in his ability to draw a large audience.
Although Moreno felt his performance wasn`t perfect, it was enough to win. Erceg might regret some errors that he feels cost him the fight.
“I thought my strikes were good, but it wasn’t enough,” Erceg commented. “I went the distance, and I’ll keep improving. I’ll be back.”
The fight was largely a striking battle, with Moreno actively pursuing a knockout while using various punches and combinations. He landed a strong blow on Erceg in the first round, but Erceg recovered.
Despite absorbing more strikes, Erceg remained resilient, landing effective straight punches and uppercuts as Moreno moved forward. Erceg also attempted to use straight kicks to maintain distance.
Moreno continued to press forward, seeking to land powerful punches with speed, making it difficult for Erceg to evade the strongest hits.
Erceg seemed to anticipate much of Moreno’s attacks but struggled to create effective counters. Moreno closed the distance and attempted takedowns, maintaining a lead on points.
As the fight neared its end, Moreno used a consistent left jab followed by an overhand right, a successful tactic throughout the fight. Even when these punches didn`t connect, Moreno`s power kept Erceg defensive.
Moreno also landed a head kick late in the fight, exciting the crowd, though the fight ended with both fighters on the ground. Moreno`s consistent activity was key to his victory by decision as Erceg struggled to match his pace.
Given Moreno’s status as a former champion and his popularity in Mexico, it is likely his request to fight at UFC 320 will be granted. The only question is who he will face, with numerous top flyweights available for a prominent spot on the pay-per-view event.
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