UFC Mexico City’s main event on Saturday was a flyweight rematch in a country known as a hotbed for the lighter weight classes, one that saw ex-champ Brandon Moreno throw down with the last man to challenge for 125lb gold, Brandon Royval.
Their first meeting, in November 2022, had ended in a TKO victory for Moreno, who would go on to claim flyweight gold. Notably, however, both men entered Saturday’s headliner off losses to current champ Alexandre Pantoja.
An early kick 30 seconds or so in, from Royval, appeared to have Moreno stumbling, more from losing his footing than any impact. Royval would continue to go to the body kick, however, keeping ex-champ Moreno on the outside.
Most of the round would play out with Brandon Royval on the attack, pressing forward, and Moreno circling along the fence. That was enough of a concern for Brandon Moreno’s corner to tell him to get off the cage between rounds. The pair had a little flurry following an exchange in the clinch towards the end of the frame, and headed to round two.
The second round, however, opened with Moreno once again with his back to the fence. That didn’t last long however as he came forward, fired a low kick, then came over the top with a right hand that cracked Royval. For his part, Royval pumped his jab, hitting mostly air, and went back to his body kick. As the round progressed, Moreno would hold center and get a little more scrappy; at rounds end, the Mexican landed a late takedown for good measure, but had to fend off some Royval submission attempts.
Round three saw Moreno dump Royval to the canvas about a minute and a half in, but Royval quickly scrambled to his feet. Moreno went back to circling on the fence, with Royval chasing, firing a kick. One problem, the kick landed a bit low, bringing a halt to the action as Moreno recovered from the glancing blow.
When they did get going again, Moreno found a home for his left hand. Royval went upstairs with his kicks; they’d go back-and-forth for a time, before a club-like Brandon Moreno punch knocked Royval off-balance. Not a knockdown, and Moreno was unable to capitalize.
Coming into round four, the UFC Mexico City main event was still very much anyone’s fight. Royval was showing some solid cardio at altitude, easily hanging with Moreno in hat department. They’d clinch up briefly, and Moreno kicked at the leg of Royval on the break. Moreno was well into the double-digits for leg kicks at that point. Royval then landed with a solid punch, forcing Moreno to turtle up and retreat. That allowed Royval to get the fight down briefly, though he couldn’t sneak in any ground n’ pound. Instead, Moreno made it back up, two minutes still on the clock.
Those two minutes would play out on the feet, with Royval finding success and things very close heading into round five. There, they’d clinch up inside of the first 90 seconds, only for ref Herb Dean to break them up and restart at center. That paved the way for Moreno and Royval to begin throwing down, the fight very much hanging in the balance. Royval’s accuracy was on display, but Moreno still managed to snap the head back with his own counters.
A body lock for Moreno followed, and they went to the fence, with ref Dean quickly warning them to work. A quick break by Dean, and they were back at it at center. Royval ripped the body and head; Moreno fired a left, and an elbow. Another clinch, and Moreno fired knees. They finished with one final, furious exchange ahead of the horn.
A split felt likely, and that’s what arrived with the scorecards; two judges awarded the decision to Brandon Royval, allowing him to avenge his earlier loss to Moreno.
Official Result: Brandon Royval def. Brandon Moreno by split decision (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)
