Alexandre Pantoja edges Brando Moreno, claims flyweight title at UFC 290

Brandon Moreno has been a tremendous champion and torch bearer for the UFC flyweight division, but his reign came to an end at UFC 290 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He just couldn’t get the better of longtime rival Alexandre Pantoja, who scraped, clawed, and willed his way to becoming a UFC champion.

Pantoja started the bout strong, taking the fight to Moreno. He dropped Moreno with a big left hand. Pantoja added to that by opening a significant cut over Moreno’s right eye with an elbow when they were on the ground.

Moreno fought back strong in the second round, fending off a Pantoja flurry with several brutal punches that rocked his opponent. Pantoja slowed considerably, his first round output catching up to him, and Moreno’s speed putting him on the back foot.

Round three was an incredible amount of output from both fighters, but Pantoja dug deep, plowing forward to drag Moreno to the canvas. Moreno reversed, but Pantoja sliced him with amazing elbows while fighting with his own back to the canvas. Pantoja’s face was a bloody mess, courtesy of an earlier Moreno elbow, but what an incredible back and forth battle.

Moreno’s speed was still evident on the feet, so Pantoja continued to bring it back to the mat. Pantoja kept control for much of the round, but didn’t do a lot of damage. Every time they regained their feet, Moreno lit Pantoja up with that stinging jab and several body shots.

The fifth and final round started with Moreno lighting Pantoja up again on the feet, easily outstriking him. But just as Moreno edged ahead, Pantoja charged and forced Moreno back to the canvas. Moreno regained his feet, but Pantoja was glued to his back, where he remained until the final horn sounded.

UFC 290 judges decision favors Alexandre Pantoja

Whose fight was it? Only the judges could know. It was that close.

And when the scorecards were read, they read 49-46 for Moreno, 48-47 for Pantoja, and another 48-47 for Pantoja, the new UFC flyweight champion of the world via a split decision victory over Moreno. The victory marked Pantoja’s third victory over Moreno. The two first met in the Shoot promotion in 2009 and fought again under the UFC banner in 2018.

Pantoja started fast, but then faded on his feet, trying to win by controlling the fight on the ground throughout the rest of the bout. In contrast, Moreno was much quicker with his striking, seeming to do more damage and coming closer to ending the fight. Pantoja’s resolve, however, took him over the top in the eyes of the judges and that was reflected in his post-fight comments.

“Hey guys, if you know my story, you’re gonna love me. I work so hard for that,” Pantoja told UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

“I bring my family to the U.S. I leave everything I have. You proud of me dad? You proud of me?” he said.

“In first round, I think Moreno is done, but he comes back. I respect Moreno and his family. But I work hard for that. Now is my moment.”