Similar to the co-main event, the main event of UFC Mexico City contains a pivotal rematch. Unlike the co-main, this fight will take place at 125 pounds between Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval. The first fight between the pair took place back in November of 2020, making this a fight over three years in the making. Their first bout ended due to a shoulder injury suffered by Royval with just one second left in Round 1.
Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval Preview
Brandon Moreno comes into the fight no stranger to rematches, as 4 of his last 5 fights have been against someone he’s previously faced. From December 2020 to July 2023, all of Moreno’s fights involved a title on the line. This will be his first non-title bout since November 2020, when he faced Brandon Royval for the first time. This full-circle moment is crucial to the future of Moreno’s career, with a win potentially granting him yet another title shot in May.
Brandon Royval comes into the fight on short notice, replacing the injured Amir Albazi. He last fought just 2 months ago on UFC 296, challenging Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight championship. The fight didn’t go Royval’s way, as he lost a unanimous decision and seemed flat for most of the fight. He has the chance to make up for that performance and unfortunate 2020 injury tonight.
Fight Recap
The fight started off timid with Moreno keeping his range and staying away from the power of Royval. Moreno landed some big counter punches from the outside but Royval stayed on top of him with heavy pressure. Moreno had his back to the cage for most of the round and picked his shots very carefully.
Round 2 started similarly to the first round. Moreno had Royval’s leg hurt and made him miss most of his big shots while landing his own. The hands started to get thrown by both men but especially the hometown fighter, Brandon Moreno. The fight hit the floor and Royval almost locked in a submission off his back, however, Moreno was attentive and got out quickly.
The two exchanged some heavy shots in Round 3, with Royval’s strikes starting to do more damage. He started landing kicks effectively and letting his hands go more consistently. Royval effectively mixed up his strikes and likely took this round on the scorecards.
Royval looked to continue his momentum from the third round and came out swinging in the fourth. Moreno started to throw more leg kicks and continued to hurt the legs of Royval while starting to land some combinations. Royval landed a big right hand that seemed to hurt Moreno and followed with a takedown. Both men started to let their hands go with Moreno targeting the body and Royval targeting the head.
Moreno landed a big right hand to start the fifth. He quickly clinched Royval up and held him against the cage for about a minute. Herb Dean separated them from the cage and the two continued to exchange hands in the center of the cage. Moreno kept landing some big right hands before clinching up again before being separated. The two men exchanged some massive shots to end the round and the fight ended very close.
The scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, and 46-49 to give Brandon Royval a split decision win. Royval potentially secures a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja in May and avenges his 2020 loss to Moreno. He called out the champion who was sitting cage-side for the fight.
UFC Fighters React to Brandon Royval Squeaking Out Split Decision
What did you think of Brandon Royval’s performance tonight? Who did you think won?
Featured Image Credit to Embed from Getty Images
