The former flight weight champion is back in the mix with the other top candidates who chase the dominant title holder.
Brandon Moreno got his hand lifted against Steve Erceg after five rounds in Arena CDMX when he finally ended his series of bad results in Mexico City.
With back-to-back victories and impressive versions under his belt, 'The Assassin Baby' is again in the title photo that the belt has again lost on UFC 290.
He has some competition for the next title shot with people like Kai Kara-France and Manel Kape who also compete to enter into Alexandre Pantoja.
The other important factor is the fact that the Mexican star has already suffered several losses from the Brazilian champion and while a fourth fight between them could certainly go the way of Moreno, Pantoja has every time.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Brandon Moreno says he is moving the needle more than the other contenders in flight weight
Alexandre Pantoja has already defeated all the contenders that are currently in and around the title photo.
'The Cannibal' has defeated Brandon Moreno three times, Brandon Royval twice, Manel Kape once in 2021 and Kai Kara-France back during their time at the Ultimate Fighter in 2016.
It seems that Kape is perhaps the most logical option at the moment, given the run he has made lately and the fact that his loss for Pantoja came his UFC debut after he signed with the promotion of Rizin.
Moreno, however, keeps looking back on his best and his versions deserve a lot of praise, even if the idea of seeing him again opposite Pantoja is not the most exciting matchup.
If he keeps winning and beating other flying weight contenders, he will not deny himself for a new crack to his great rival.
During the post show at ESPN after his victory over Steve Erceg, Moreno was asked what he wants afterwards.
In response, he gave a reason why he could get the title shot about the other names at the top of the weight class at the moment, even though they also earn the chance.
“I mean, I want to fight for the title. The division is now a bit weird. Manel deserves the title, Kai Kara-France deserves the title, Royval deserves the title and at the moment I can move the needle more than the other boys with this victory.”
Brandon Moreno is not wrong, but that may not help him
When it comes to the reaction they get from the fans, Brandon Moreno is probably right that he moves the needle more than the other names in the fight.
The problem lies with the matchup itself, so while Moreno is moving the needle, a fourth fight with Alexandre Pantoja may not even be if their last meeting at UFC 290 was one of the best fights of 2023.
That is probably the reason why Manel Kape is currently the leader, because a fight between him and Pantoja offers something new, even if it is a collision of styles that we have seen before.
Even after two impressive versions since they returned from a short interruption, Moreno may need a more final explanation to fight for the 125 pound gold again.
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