GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Monday, Brandon Moreno might’ve gotten the best compliment a Mexican fighter can possibly receive.
Boxing legend and decorated former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez had a lot of good things to say about Moreno’s historic win last Saturday at UFC 263 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Moreno (19-5-2 MMA, 7-2-2 UFC) submitted Deiveson Figueiredo in the third round of their flyweight title rematch to become the first Mexican-born champion in UFC history. It was a big moment for Moreno and his native country.
“Yes, of course (I heard the news),” Chavez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I want to send him greetings. It gave me a lot of joy and I want to congratulate him publicly. He truly gave a great fight. I know of Brandon Moreno. He’s a kid with a lot of talents and abilities and, thanks to God, he achieved his dream.”
Prior to Saturday’s fight, Moreno and Figueiredo fought to a draw in December at UFC 256, thus an immediate rematch was subsequently booked. Moreno’s goal was to capture UFC gold. Now that he’s achieved it, the journey doesn’t end there. The 28-year-old Tijuana native plans on holding the belt for a long time.
Chavez, who has the most title defenses in boxing history at 27, knows the work for Moreno is just starting, but he’s not worried “The Assassin Baby” will lose the belt anytime soon.
“I think he should know already that the hard part is not getting there but staying there,” Chavez said. “I think he has his feet well on the ground and I think he’ll be a champion for a long time, God willing.”
Julio Cesar Chavez applauds Brandon Moreno’s historic UFC title win: ‘It gave me a lot of joy’