March 26, 2025 7:40 pm ET
MEXICO CITY – Simply to provide an concept of how relaxed Brandon Moreno is heading into UFC on ESPN 64, the previous flyweight champion was seen having fun with a slice of cheesecake Wednesday, two days earlier than reducing weight.
That’s a welcomed change from the final time Moreno fought in Mexico Metropolis, when he lost a split decision to Brandon Royval in February 2024.
“I’m simply having fun with the second a lot better than the final time,” Moreno instructed reporters, together with MMA Junkie, throughout UFC on ESPN 64 media day. “The final time I used to be simply exhausted. I used to be drained to be within the health club, to be making the burden reduce, no matter. So this time I’m simply having fun with it a little bit bit extra.”
After the loss to Royval, Moreno (23-8-2 MMA, 11-4-2 UFC) determined he would take a much-needed leave of absence, which lasted nearly 9 months, after being one of many UFC’s most energetic fighters – and champions – of the post-pandemic period. A return to Mexico Metropolis, the place he’s 0-2-1, may very well be trigger for the Mexican standout to be involved forward of Saturday’s most important occasion (ESPN, ESPN+) in opposition to former title challenger Steve Erceg (12-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) at Enviornment CDMX.
Moreno insists nothing may very well be farther from the reality.
“I’m not even eager about my previous. That’s one thing I needed to keep away from for this one,” Moreno stated. “You guys all the time ask me, ‘What’s the stress of your subsequent combat?’ And I all the time reply the identical: There’s plenty of stress on us all the time. However I can’t put extra of that weight on my shoulders. I simply stopped eager about my previous. I don’t know nothing about my previous. I grabbed all the teachings from that, however proper now I’m very centered on my current, very centered on Steve Erceg, and I’m prepared for the problem.”
Moreno, who’s coming off a nice win over Amir Albazi final November, acknowledged that Erceg at the moment is “not in his greatest second” coming off a title-fight loss to Alexandre Pantoja and most just lately a first-round TKO loss to Kai Kara-France.
“However he’s harmful,” Moreno added. “He’s very gifted, superb boxing, superb martial arts typically. I’m prepared for him and all issues he’s bringing to the combat. It’s a combat that makes me very excited.”
Moreno, a two-time champion at 125 kilos, most just lately held the title in 2023 and is trying to get it again. Whereas Moreno acknowledged Manel Kape and Kara-France as each very deserving, he’s trying to remind everybody that he additionally belongs within the combine.
“Profitable this Saturday, I consider I can increase my hand and say, ‘Hey, man, I deserve the chance, as properly,’” Moreno stated. “Let’s see what occurs.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
Remember to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
