Brandon Moreno doesn’t know the magnitude of his star power, but he believes that when the promotion landed in Guadalajara, Mexico on September 13th, no one would suit the headline for Noche UFC’s latest film, the UFC 320.
After unanimously winning Steve Elsegg to close out the latest UFC Mexico Card on Saturday, Moreno wasted no time turning his attention to the future with hopes that he could get another crack in gold for his next fight. Just before he heads out to the main event, the UFC announced news about the September pay-per-view. It felt like fate to see Moreno win and seek out a fourth battle against flyweight champion Alexander Pantoja.
“That’s certainly the goal of Guadalajara,” Moreno told UFC Mexico at a postwar press conference. “I think it’s perfect. For the UFC, too, for promotion. If you want to get a pay-per-view event at Noche UFC in Guadalajara in September, I think it’s the right choice.”
When it comes to booking the major local charms of cards built around celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day, it’s hard to resist Moreno’s logic at least.
The only problem Moreno faces is to persuade the UFC to give another crack in the Pantoja, considering that he has already fought that fight on three different occasions in the past and lost it. One of those losses occurred The ultimate fighter It’s a reality show so it doesn’t actually appear on his record, but Moreno still fell to Pantoja in two matches. This includes the fight in which the Brazilian won the 125 pound title in 2023.
Still, Moreno knows his ability to attract crowds, and his continued domination at flyweight should at least have him consider the opportunity.
“Today, I feel there is enough debate to say that I can raise my hand and become the main event of Guadalajara’s pay-per-view in September,” Moreno said.
“Let’s see what happens. (UFC Chief Business Officer) Hunter (Campbell) and he was very pleased with the crowd.
On Saturday, the UFC Mexico Card featured a sold-out crowd that won the biggest gross gate of the UFC Fight Night event in history, with 19,731 fans present.
These types of factors are on track to Moreno’s demand for the next major UFC card headline in Mexico.
As for Pantoja, he has not yet been reserved for the next title defense, but all signs point to potential opponents Manel Cape and/or Kaikara France waiting on the wings earlier than September.
There’s still no further details on what will happen in Moreno, but after starting his UFC career with a 0-2-1 record in Mexico City, he’s happy to serve as long as his next fight brings him back to Mexico again after he finally gets his first victory.
“When I was suffering a loss (in Mexico City), I didn’t seem to know what happened here,” Moreno said. “I do all the work. I’m working and I don’t get results, I don’t know, but I don’t. This time I tried to keep all those thoughts out of the conversation, come here and be very clear and put all the work together.
“It felt like everything was different in this fight. I had experience. I had energy and (win) at the end. I’m happy.”