Former UFC flyweight Brandon Moreno believes that a win over Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico will add him to the short list of title challengers after Saturday night.
“I don’t even (think) about my past. I think that is something I had to avoid for this one because you guys alway ask me about ‘what is the pressure of your next fight’ and I always answer the same. It’s a lot of pressure as always,” Moreno told reporters on Wednesday.
“I can’t put more on that. I can’t put more weight on my shoulders. I just stopped (thinking) about the past. I grabbed all the lessons from that, but after that I’m very focused on my present. I’m very focused on Steve Erceg and I’m ready for the challenge.”
Moreno (22-8-2) announced after losing the title to Alexander Pantoja at UFC 290 that he’d be taking an extended break from fighting. It proved to not be as long as expected as he returned to face Brandon Royval in February 2024.
He didn’t expect to face Erceg, but he was also not against the bout whatsoever.
“I think UFC offered the fight to Tatsuro Taira first, but I don’t know the reasons, he (didn’t) accept the fight. Then they told me about Erceg and man he was doing an amazing job. Right now he’s not in his best moment because he fought for the title and then he lost against Kai Kara-France,” he said.
“But man he’s dangerous. He’s very talented, very good boxing, very good mixed martial artist in general. I’m ready for him, I’m ready for all the things he’s bringing to the fight, and yeah it’s a fight that makes me feel very excited.”
Last time out Moreno scored a victory over Amir Albazi, and a win over Erceg would give him two in row against two title contenders. With the flyweight division sort of up in the air in terms of challengers Moreno feels like he’s got a good shot at getting real close to a title fight with a win.
“Right now everything’s weird at the flyweight division. Manel (Kape) deserves the opportunity, I think Kai Kara-France deserves the opportunity. Winning this Saturday I believe I can raise my hand and say ‘hey man I think I deserve the opportunity as well,” said Moreno.
“Let’s see what happens. I know UFC wants to come back in September for Noche UFC so just let me take that victory this Saturday and we can talk about it. I don’t really know how much I move the needle for the company. That’s the truth, but what I know is I move the needle more than the other guys. That’s the truth.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Brandon Moreno above. He headlines UFC Mexico against Steve Erceg this Saturday night.
