Brandon Moreno is confident he’ll be competing for UFC gold in his next bout.
The Mexican flyweight contender thinks it’s clear that he’s the next challenger for newly crowned flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, captured the vacant belt this past Saturday in the UFC on ESPN+ 30 main event. The Brazilian defeated long-time contender Joseph Benavidez by first-round submission after a dominant performance.
Although Figueiredo expressed interest in former dual champion Henry Cejudo, who’s retired, or a potential title fight in a weight class above, Moreno (17-5-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) thinks it’s obvious what’s next for Figueiredo (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) – especially given some of the other results that night.
“I think it’s clear who’s next, and that’s me,” Moreno told MMA Junkie in Spanish on Sunday night. “I think if Alexandre Pantoja would’ve won, he could’ve had a great argument to be like, ‘Hey, I also deserve it,’ and I think there could’ve been a dispute on who takes the next title shot. But since he lost, I think people who saw me fight Askarov, I think 80, 85 percent thought I won. That’s how I see it. …
“So I think the path has been cleared, because also with Deiveson winning, having to fight Joe wouldn’t have been cool. I wouldn’t have liked to. I would’ve done it, and I’m sure he would’ve done it, too. Maybe I’m a little more sentimental; to him, it could’ve been easier. But with Deiveson, I have no relationship. It’s a clear fight, and that’s what should happen next for the flyweight division. I heard him at the post-fight presser already saying dumb things of wanting to go up to 135 pounds and all this, but I pray to God that nobody listens to him so he can stay and defend his title.”
Moreno is unbeaten in his last four bouts, with three victories and a controversial draw to Askar Askarov, who defeated Alexandre Pantoja on Saturday. He last fought in March, outpointing Jussier Formiga in a unanimous decision.
With Pantoja, the only other athlete in title contention, now coming off a loss, Moreno is confident in his chances of getting the next shot. The former LFA champion likes how he matches up against the new UFC champ, as he wasn’t blown away by Figueiredo’s showing against Benavidez.
“Even though the fight was dominant, and even impressive (to some), I didn’t feel too impressed,” Moreno said. “I think Joe wasn’t mentally ready. It’s happened to me that I wake up the day of the fight, and I feel ready and strong, but the moment I get into the octagon something happens with my mind or the nerves beat me, and my mentality changes.
“I think that probably happened to Joe, and he didn’t feel 100 percent ready at that exact moment, and that’s why Figueiredo looked so dominant. I think Figueiredo has a lot of power in his hands. He’s a fighter that’s very strong, but personally (I) think he’s a slow fighter. I think I’m much quicker. I think I’m much more explosive, and that’s what I bring to the table. That’s what’s going to give me the edge in the fight.”
Moreno says he’s ready to fight whenever but expects the champion to want to take a break before starting a training camp again for his first title defense. “The Assassin Baby” thinks a November return would make sense for a title fight with Figueiredo.
Brandon Moreno dismisses Deiveson Figueiredo's dominance in UFC title win, calls for next shot
