Moreno Faces Career Crossroads
Brandon Moreno is at a career crossroads after his second consecutive loss in Mexico City. Options being discussed include taking a break from competition, moving up to bantamweight, or booking a "legacy fight" against another legend. Morning Kombat noted Moreno appeared "shop worn" and didn't deliver a vintage performance in his hometown.
The loss in Mexico City was a split-decision to Brandon Royval, a fighter Moreno had previously beaten in November 2020 by first-round TKO. This recent fight was a closely contested five-round main event, with two judges scoring it 48-47 for Royval, and one scoring it 49-46 for Moreno. Moreno's previous defeat, which started this two-fight skid, was a title-losing effort against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 in July 2023. That fight was also a split decision, marking Moreno's third professional loss to Pantoja. The first Mexican-born UFC champion has a history of close battles, including a four-fight series with Deiveson Figueiredo that saw him win the title, lose it, and win it back again. His overall professional record currently stands at 23 wins, 10 losses, and 2 draws. Following the loss to Royval, Moreno was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons after a tough five-round fight. He has now lost three of his last five fights.
