Now holding a UFC belt, Brandon Moreno is setting new career goals for his run as champion.
The newly crowned UFC flyweight title holder is out to build on the history he’s already accomplished in his young MMA career. Earlier this month, Moreno (19-5-2 MMA, 7-2-2 UFC) became the first Mexico-born fighter to win a championship belt in the UFC. He submitted Brazil’s Deiveson Figueiredo to take the flyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 263 in Phoenix.
His historic feat has pushed Moreno into new levels of fame both in his home country of Mexico and around the world – and it even caught the attention of legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, who was complimentary of Moreno in an interview with MMA Junkie.
Moreno was honored to hear the former boxing world champion give him praise for his title win and wants to model his journey in MMA after Chavez’s momentous career in boxing.
“I think first you have to contextualize what Julio Cesar Chavez means for my country, for Mexico,” Moreno told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I know that he’s world-renowned and that everyone in the boxing world knows who Julio Cesar Chavez is.
“He’s a legend, and you reach legend status when people, regardless if they like boxing or not, know your name – people know Julio Cesar Chavez. In Mexico, times that by the maximum, and to have someone like that have very nice words for you and recognize your name, it’s very special. I’ve said it before, I want to be the Julio Cesar Chavez of MMA. I want to be that point of reference, when people hear my name they say, ‘That guy is a legend in MMA; he revolutionized.’ Right now I want to evolve MMA in my country, and I hope to accomplish that.”
Chavez was at the top of the boxing game for many years throughout the 80s and 90s. He held six major world titles in three different weight divisions and at one point was undefeated with 90 professional fights under his belt. The Mexican superstar conquered the world of boxing with his heart, will and unbreakable spirit.
Moreno hopes to have a Chavez-like career in MMA. The 27-year-old is OK with not being the very best in the UFC but does aim to be toughest and most valiant champion in the company.
“I think if i can sum it up, it’s all seen in Chavez’s most symbolic fight – the fight he had against Meldrick Taylor,” Moreno said. “I see my life in that manner. It was a fight that many thought he was losing, but at the end, with heart and pressure and being brave, he stops Meldrick Taylor and takes the win.
“I want my career to reflect that because I’m also aware that I’m not going to be that type of champion like Khabib (Nurmagomedov), who’s undefeated and just invincible. I think I’m a very human champion. Despite all my limitations and imperfections, I can be at the top of this game.”
Moreno knows there’s plenty of work ahead, as he’s just reached the top of the mountain at 125 pounds. However, he’s confident he can be champion for a good while and feels he has what it takes to summon the Mexican fighting spirit in the octagon.
“Technique is very important, and everything has to be paired with technique, but at the end of the day, having heart and courage when the time comes to fight, that’s tough to have,” Moreno said. “It’s something that you need to forge along the way. I think some people are born with it, some people forge it as they go through their career, but not everyone has it. Not everyone has that ace up their sleeve. I think I have it, and that’s what makes you a champion – a real champion.”
Moreno plans to take some time off to spend with the family and rest, as he’s coming off three fights, two being title bouts. The Entram Gym products eyes a return to the cage later this year, sometime in December or November.
“Unfortunately for the division, I feel invincible,” Moreno said. “I’m not trying to be cocky. I don’t feel this manner in a bad way. I feel invincible because I’ve worked so hard and I’m just so sure on myself. I already achieved one goal, and that’s becoming champion. That’s already done. What’s next for me, and I’ve given it thought, and I’ve decided that I want to be a superstar in the sport. I want to defend my belt, and I want to form a legacy. I want to be a legend, and I’m excited to achieve it.”
Brandon Moreno chasing legend status in Mexican sports: ‘I want to be the Julio Cesar Chavez of MMA’
