Tag: Brandon Moreno

Video – Brandon Moreno takes part in ‘Lucha Libre’ wrestling event days after title loss at UFC 290

Brandon MorenoBrandon Moreno is seemingly taking the recent loss well, as evident by his recent performance in a Lucha Libre wrestling event in Tijuana, Mexico. At UFC 290, Moreno was defeated by Alexandre Pantoja via split decision and lost his UFC flyweight title. The fight was extremely close and was a brutal war that was waged […]

Brandon Moreno

Brandon Moreno is seemingly taking the recent loss well, as evident by his recent performance in a Lucha Libre wrestling event in Tijuana, Mexico.

At UFC 290, Moreno was defeated by Alexandre Pantoja via split decision and lost his UFC flyweight title. The fight was extremely close and was a brutal war that was waged within five rounds. Unfortunately for Moreno, the judges thought Pantoja edged him out and he would leave the cage no longer a UFC champion.

For Moreno, this must have been crushing. The path to the title for him was a long and arduous journey. His first title fight ended in an extremely rare draw with Deiveson Figueiredo back in 2020. Next, would come three more fights with Figueiredo and a dangerous battle with Kai Kara France. When everything was done and the dust settled, Brandon Moreno reigned supreme over the flyweight division. Just when it looked like the Mexican superstar was ready to settle in and defend his title for years to come, the Pantoja fight came along and the Brazilian fighter would end up walking away as the champion.

Yet, the future still appears bright for Brandon Moreno. It now even seems that a potential wrestling career could present itself to the fighter after he’s ready to call a quits to his journey in combat sports.

Brandon Moreno gets rowdy at Lucha Libre event in Tijuana

Crashing a Lucha Libre Triplemanía wrestling event in Tijuana, Mexico, Brandon Moreno seemingly had a ton of fun. He attacked one of the wrestlers with a brutal barrage of strikes and even mixed in some submission attempts.

This comes just a week after the brutal fight with Pantoja, where Moreno also suffered a broken hand. While the road to recovery will keep him sidelined for months, it’s nice to see the former champ enjoying himself after a tough loss and such a hard fight.

Do you think Brandon Moreno will wrestle for the WWE after his MMA career is over?

Alexandre Pantoja explains post fight comments about his father at UFC 290: ‘I just want the love of my dad’

alexandre pantojaNewly crowned UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja gives emotional insight to his post-fight comments about his relationship with his father. In a climate filled with forced speeches, cringey monologues and ignorant takes, Pantoja gave a raw and honest speech after beating Brandon Moreno for the 125lb championship this past weekend. Flooded with emotions, while talking […]

alexandre pantoja

Newly crowned UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja gives emotional insight to his post-fight comments about his relationship with his father.

In a climate filled with forced speeches, cringey monologues and ignorant takes, Pantoja gave a raw and honest speech after beating Brandon Moreno for the 125lb championship this past weekend. Flooded with emotions, while talking to Joe Rogan in the Octagon ‘The Cannibal’ revealed that he grew up without a dad, and looking into the camera asked ‘now Dad, are you proud of me Dad?.

The moment would make the rounds around the MMA world, tugging at many peoples heartstrings in what was an extremely vulnerable moment for someone who just engaged in back-and-forth war.

Alexandre Pantoja describes relationship with father

Appearing on The MMA Hour, Pantoja was asked about his post-fight comments, and would share some saddening background.  

My dad drank a lot, I saw a lot of fights with him and my mom,” said Pantoja.

“When my dad drinks too much he’s aggressive, I don’t remember having good times with my dad, you know… But I don’t want to crucify my daddy,” Pantoja continued. “I know he loves me and my brothers and I’m old now he gave the bets he could do, its not close to what I give my kids but he does the best he can. I’m not going to judge him. He left the house, he never helped my mom with me or my brothers, he never gave her money.”

Pantoja would explain that even after all he had been through, he still though about reaching out to his father during his moment of need.

“I just want the love of my dad,” Pantoja said. “I want to feel him and the week of the fight I thought about calling my daddy to try and take all over the scared [feelings].

“When the fight was over, I was thinking about him, I was thinking about all his moments he can’t enjoy with me, he can’t enjoy with his grandkids.”

After his phenomenal performance and honest following, the 33-year-old has undoubtedly gained a load of new fans.

Full clip of Alexandre Pantoja

What would you like to see Alexandre Pantoja do next?

Alexandre Pantoja outlasts Brandon Moreno in instant classic to capture flyweight title – UFC 290 Highlights

Brandon MorenoAlexandre Pantoja climbed to the top of the mountain at UFC 290, outlasting Brandon Moreno in a five-round war to capture the UFC flyweight world championship. Pantoja came out aggressively from the opening bell, but Moreno was able to close the distance and clinch to avoid any danger before letting Pantoja off the fence and […]

Brandon Moreno

Alexandre Pantoja climbed to the top of the mountain at UFC 290, outlasting Brandon Moreno in a five-round war to capture the UFC flyweight world championship.

Pantoja came out aggressively from the opening bell, but Moreno was able to close the distance and clinch to avoid any danger before letting Pantoja off the fence and recentering. Unfortunately, that would turn out to be a big mistake as Pantoja landed a big left hand that dropped Moreno. Pantoja jumped on the champ and unleashed a flurry of ground strikes, including a nasty elbow that busted Moreno open early.

Determined to get some respect back, Brandon Moreno came out and worked his jab while Pantoja continued to load up looking for the one-hitter-quitter. As a result, Pantoja began to tire, allowing Moreno to drive him to the ground and take his back mere minutes into the second round. Pantoja managed to get back to his feet but already appeared to be breathing heavily as Moreno continued to counter-strike through the end of the round.

With the bout likely tied 19-19, both men gave everything they had in the next two rounds, seamlessly switching from stand-up to ground fighting. Pantoja appeared to take the lead going into the fifth round, but there was simply no way to know for certain considering how close and competitive the fight was up to that point.

Going into the fifth and final round, Brandon Moreno was undoubtedly the fresher fighter, but Pantoja had absolutely no quit in him. With the flyweight world championship hanging in the balance, both fighters opted to stand and trade throughout the final five minutes, a decision that favored Moreno who appeared to be one step ahead in the striking.

Recognizing that Moreno was getting the best of him on the feet, Pantoja switched levels and scored a takedown, taking Moreno’s back in the process. With 90 seconds to go, Pantoja rode Moreno like a backpack and peppered the champ with strikes. Unable to break the body triangle, Moreno opted to wait out the final seconds, hoping he had done enough to come out ahead on the scorecards.

Official Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47) to win the UFC flyweight world championship.

Check Out Highlights from Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 Below:

UFC 290 Fight Card: PPV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Volkanovski vs. Rodríguez

Alexander Volkanovski is the long-reigning king of the featherweight division. Brandon Moreno has been playing hot potato with the flyweight championship over…

Alexander Volkanovski is the long-reigning king of the featherweight division. Brandon Moreno has been playing hot potato with the flyweight championship over…

UFC 290: Previewing Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodríguez and the Rest of the Card

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already almost time for the UFC’s annual International Fight Week bonanza, which typically culminates with the promotion’s…

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already almost time for the UFC’s annual International Fight Week bonanza, which typically culminates with the promotion’s…

Brandon Moreno betting favorite to avenge losses to Alexandre Pantoja, retain title at UFC 290

Brandon Moreno betting favorite over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290Undisputed flyweight championship holder, Brandon Moreno is closing as a betting favorite to not just successfully defend and retain his crown during International Fight Week at UFC 290 next month, but also avenge a pair of prior losses to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, co-headlined UFC 283 in Brazil back […]

Brandon Moreno betting favorite over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290

Undisputed flyweight championship holder, Brandon Moreno is closing as a betting favorite to not just successfully defend and retain his crown during International Fight Week at UFC 290 next month, but also avenge a pair of prior losses to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja.

Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, co-headlined UFC 283 in Brazil back in January of this year on enemy territory – successfully reclaiming his status as undisputed flyweight champion with a title unification win against Deiveson Figueiredo in Rio de Janeiro. 

As for Pantoja, the Brazilian title challenger has enjoyed a winning run spanning the course of three fights en route to the #2 rank in the official flyweight rankings under the banner of the UFC.

Last time out, the Rio de Janeiro native featured at UFC 277 in July of last year, submitting former title challenger, Alex Perez with a first round rear-naked choke submission win.

And holding an Ultimate Fighter exhibition win over Brandon Moreno, as well as a UFC triumph against the Baja Californian – Pantoja still, however, is closing as a sizeable +145 underdog to defeat the -170 betting favorite, Moreno at UFC 290 next month during International Fight Week. 

Betting websites not on gamstop also offer wagering and betting on fights under the UFC banners as well as a host of other combat sports and sports worldwide. 

Setting up an unprecedented fourth title fight with Figueiredo back in January of this year, Brandon Moreno also featured on that aforenoted UFC 277 card last summer akin to Pantoja – himself winning an interim flyweight title with a brutal body kick and strikes KO win over recent headliner, Kai Kara-France. 

First winning undisputed flyweight gold in 2021, Moreno became the first champion hailing from Mexico under the UFC banner, submitting Figueiredo with a rear-naked choke in Glendale, Arizona to a massive crowd reaction. 

However, ahead of his third combat sports outing with Pantoja next month, Brandon Moreno enters his first attempted title defense of his second undisputed reign with the prior knowledge of two prior defeats to the Brazilian.

First sharing the Octagon at The Ultimate Fighter 24 back in 2016, Brandon Moreno was submitted with a second round rear-naked choke by Pantoja on the reality television show.

Rekindling their rivalry at UFC Fight Night Santiago in Chile back in May 2019, Brandon Moreno again found himself on the wrong side of the winning equation against the former, dropping a unanimous decision loss to the Brazilian challenger. 

Himself suffering losses to common-foes, Figueiredo, and Askar Askarov during his UFC tenure – as well as Dustin Ortiz, in between those losses, Pantoja has racked up wins over a who’s who of talent including the likes of Kara-France, Brandon Royval, Manel Kape, Matt Schnell, Neil Seery, and former title challenger, Wilson Reis. 

A renowned finisher boasting an impressive 25-5 professional record, Pantoja has secured a resounding 10 separate submission triumphs, as well as eight separate knockouts over the course of his professional mixed martial arts career. Pantoja was eliminated from TUF 24 at the semi-final bracket, losing out to Japanese favorite, Hiromasa Ougikubo in a decision defeat.