Former UFC flyweight champ Brandon Moreno headlines UFC Mexico City this Saturday, with the promotion returning to Mexico for the first time since prior to COVID-19 breaking out.
Moreno is paired up in a rematch with Brandon Royval, a recent title challenger stepping in to replace the injured Amir Albazi in the fight. That leaves both men coming off a loss to champ Alexandre Pantoja, with the possibility of a new title shot in the offing.
“Maybe. I don’t even know,” Moreno (21-7-2) said on that front during Wednesday’s media day. “Like I said before I just want to be focused on Royval. Right now A lot of people are asking me about Pantoja, I know it’s your job to ask about that, you love the future. But right now I’m focused on Brandon Royval.”
Royval is both the future and the past for Brandon Moreno, mind you. The pair have fought once before, with Moreno winning via TKO in their November 2020 matchup. This time, however, the fight comes at home for Moreno, the UFC’s first Mexican-born champ back when he held flyweight gold.
Moreno offered bantamweight Merab Davlishvili honorary Mexican status on Wednesday, after the Georgian shouted out Mexico at UFC 298 this past weekend. Dvalishvili also carried a Mexican flag to the post-fight press conference.
“That was amazing,” admitted Moreno. “He did an amazing move there in Anaheim. The Mexican people there, it’s a lot. When I saw that it was kind of funny, but at the same time it was nice to watch the Mexican flag with Merab. I know Merab from Las Vegas, he’s a really nice guy. And I’m happy for his performance, he looked amazing.”
Asked if he’d accept Merab as an adopted Mexican, Moreno replied “Yeah! Hermano.”
Watch the full UFC Mexico City media day appearance by Brandon Moreno above.
