The UFC’s first trip to Mexico since February of last year saw Mexican fighters go 7-2, an improvement on their 6-4 record from last year’s UFC Mexico City card. We saw breakout performances from rookies like Ateba Gautier and David Martinez, while crowd favourites Brandon Moreno and Manuel Torres prevailed in the main and co-main events. With that event in the books, it’s time to look at what’s next for the ones who got their hands raised on Saturday.
Brandon Moreno
Despite adding another win to his already strong résumé, the former champion still finds himself in the same spot he was back in November when he defeated Amir Albazi. Yes, he’s a fan favourite from a market the UFC has shown a clear interest in, but the same factors that played against him are still present. It’s not just that he has multiple losses to the current champion, he has a recent loss to Brandon Royval. And Royval himself has refused to go away as a contender despite also having multiple losses to Alexandre Pantoja.
So until one of Pantoja or Royval loses, Moreno cannot confidently say that he’s next in line for a title shot. As for Royval, he finds himself in the very same boat as “The Assassin Baby.” As Pantoja appears set to defend his title against one of Kai Kara-France or Manel Kape next, the remedy to both Brandons’ situations seems obvious: book them against each other.
They are 1-1 and are both in limbo, waiting for “The Cannibal” to slip on a banana peel. Their last fight was a closely contested split decision. Run a trilogy and then the winner’s case will be undeniable.
Moreno’s next fight: Brandon Royval
Manuel Torres
Only four days removed from his 30th birthday, Torres put on his most impressive performance to date. Win or lose, all four of his UFC fights had ended in the opening frame, and this one was no exception. Only this time, he did it against a well-known, high-quality opponent in Drew Dober in the UFC Mexico City co-main event.
As impressive and important as this bounce back was for Torres, I don’t think it’s enough to completely erase the bad taste from his performance in the Sphere. For that reason, I wouldn’t shoot him up the ranks just yet. Diego Ferreira is another wily veteran who has been historically durable and difficult to look good against. If Torres can do Ferreira like he just did Dober, then we’ll know he’s truly back on track.
Torres’ next fight: Diego Ferreira
Edgar Chairez
This was an emotional win for Chairez as he dedicated this victory to his late grandfather. He made quick work of C.J. Vergara, dropping and submitting him in just two and a half minutes.
Just about any name at flyweight would make sense for Chairez, but why not re-book a fight against another standout from this very card? Chairez was initially booked against Kevin Borjas in the Sphere before the Peruvian pulled out and Joshua Van stepped in. Both Chairez and Borjas impressed on Saturday, so re-booking this matchup makes all the sense in the world at this time.
Chairez’s next fight: Kevin Borjas
Raul Rosas Jr.
The youngest fighter in the promotion earned his fourth consecutive win and moved to 5-1 since signing with the UFC at just 17 years of age (his first fight coming shortly after his 18th birthday). This was probably his most mature performance yet against the best opponent he has faced. Vince Morales is a veteran who hasn’t been submitted since 2018 and has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Rosas Jr. was able to outwrestle and out-grapple him, fending off Morales’ own submissions attempts in the process.
Despite this being his most solid win, it’s important to not get ahead of ourselves and still keep in mind that Rosas Jr. is only 20. There’s no real reason to push him up the ranks in the hopes that he could break the record for youngest champion in the promotion’s history. Yes, this was an encouraging performance for many reasons, but he’s still way behind the best that the division has to offer.
For those reasons, I still think we should aim to give him stylistically favourable matchups just so he can keep accruing experience. AJ Cunningham just lost his most recent fights by giving up five takedowns to SuYoung You. On paper, you would think a grappler of Rosas Jr.’s pedigree should be able to replicate this gameplan and earn himself another UFC win.
Rosas Jr.’s next fight: AJ Cunnigham
David Martinez
The 26-year-old impressed on last year’s Contender Series by how mature his game already is. He’s one of the most advanced fighters in his mid-20s that the promotion currently has under contract. Getting a 1st-round KO in front of his home crowd at UFC Mexico City was a great way to start his UFC career. I think Martinez can handle higher competition than Saimon Oliveira (0-3 in the UFC), but we shouldn’t throw him to the wolves just yet.
Toshiomi Kazama has proved to be a very beatable opponent, but he’d be an upgrade on Oliveira simply based on the fact that he has a UFC win under his belt. This is the type of slight increase in level of competition that I think we should be expecting for a prospect like Martinez.
Martinez’s next fight: Toshiomi Kazama
Kevin Borjas
The Peruvian was fighting with his back against the wall. He was 0-2 in the promotion ahead of UFC Mexico City and was now booked as a set up fight for the crowd favourite “Lazy Boy” Rodriguez. But Borjas came out and looked better than ever, earning a unanimous decision victory.
As mentioned, his fight with Edgar Chairez should simply be re-booked. With both coming off impressive victories, the fight makes even more sense now than it did back in September.
Borjas’ next fight: Edgar Chairez
