A feeling of strong justification will have overwhelmed a beaming Brandon Moreno, who outboxed #2 ranked flyweight contender Amir Albazi en route to a UD5 win in their UFC Edmonton headliner. After a self-imposed six month break, the former champion is eyeing a seat atop the championship elite once more.
Moreno re-energised, keeps Albazi at bay
BRANDON’s boxing proved decisive as the two-time former flyweight king Moreno showed skill and composure in dismissing Amir Albazi over five rounds (49-45, 50-45, 50-45) after a self-imposed break from competition earlier this calendar year.
The popular Mexican cited fatigue, both mentally and physically, as the reason for his time off after consecutive split decision defeats during rematches against reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval six months apart.
Now though, he unseated a 17-1 pro in surging contender Albazi at a time where the title picture remains unclear at 125lbs. Naturally, he’s delighted with the end result and during the post-fight press conference, said as much before looking ahead:
“What can I say? I feel just amazing, all the vibes, the training camp environment was on point – just perfect. I wanted to show that and I did, felt so connected and all the pieces were in the right place. It was a dominant performance, the kind I know I’m able to do in my next fights.”
As far as forecasting what is next, he’s open to another fight assuming the next title shot isn’t forthcoming after Royval snatched his shine during their February rematch before beating previously-unbeaten #5 ranked Tatsuro Taira last month.
Pantoja will headline UFC 310 against promotional newcomer Kai Asakura on Dec. 7, a former two-time Rizin bantamweight champion (2020, 2023) and the latest import from the Japanese organisation – including former light-heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochazka and long-standing heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
“I don’t know, hopefully [I get the title shot], have to be honest with myself, maybe I have to fight one more time before the title, but don’t know what the UFC is thinking right now. Maybe they get so impressed with the performance tonight they say, maybe he can get the title next. I know Royval, Kara-France are there trying to get their opportunity… I’ll be ready for whatever.”
Fan friendly contender Kara-France, who many felt was hard done by in a split decision defeat by Albazi in June last year, rebounded with a first-round TKO win over former title challenger Steve Erceg at UFC 305 in the 29-year-old’s home city.
He’s ranked #4 in the weight class but notably lost a title eliminator to Moreno the summer prior, while Royval will hope for an Asakura upset next month – there’s still no real appetite to see a Pantoja-Royval trilogy merely a year after their rematch.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes sourced
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