In the Clinch: Moreno Returns to Take On Royval, UFC Mexico – The UFC is in Mexico City with a main event that features the company’s first ever Mexican champion, Brandon Moreno.
This fight is the first one for the No. 1 Moreno (21-7-2), 30, since narrowly losing the title to Alexandre Pantoja last July at UFC 290. He is a two-time former champion, and his opponent, Brandon Royval, is familiar. He stopped Royval at UFC 255 in November 2020.
The No. 3 Royval (15-7-0), 31, hasn’t fought since losing a title fight to Pantoja at UFC 296 in December 2023.
You can probably imagine how thrilled these two are to fight each other again. Fighting in front of the Mexican fans in the main event probably helps.
In fact, this is the first flyweight contender fight since Pantoja’s December fight. There’s been a few non-ranked fights since, but that is basically it.
Unfortunately, the flyweight division has seen better days. The excitement that Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo – who is now a bantamweight – brought during the pandemic has faded. The rebuilding process has begun, which makes this fight an important one for moving everything forward.
Still, Moreno is an exciting fighter with a charismatic personality. His willingness to step in there and lay it on the line wherever the fight goes is key. He knows he can beat Royval again and he has the title experience to back him up. As long as he is healthy, it is hard to argue with him.
The question really is how much has Royval improved?
Royval does have the added experience of fighting for the title, which is good. He also fought the No. 5 and No. 8 fighters in the division. However, until he can match Moreno’s striking, he will probably remain the underdog. Maybe he has some new tricks up his sleeve.
At any rate, the Moreno and Royval rematch is a good main event between two ranked contenders that moves the flyweight division forward.
And, of course, that is a good thing for Mexico.
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