Two-time UFC Flyweight champ Brandon Moreno collides against a regular face when he meets with Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event of UFC 290 at the T-Mobile Arena this weekend for the Flyweight title. The fight is marketed as Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja 2. Still, in truth, the fighters have met thrice, with their first instance being an exhibition bout on The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions in 2016, which Pantoja won by second-round submission. The challenger also won the second bout.
MMA: UFC Flyweight Championship
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Where to watch: ESPN+ PPV
Date: 9.07.2023. 06.45
Brandon Moreno
Since 2012, Brandon Moreno has lost only three times professionally. One of those losses was against Alexandre Pantoja in his first stint in the UFC. After the loss, the Mexican was cut from the UFC, which freed him to go and win the LFC Flyweight crown. Following his return, he has fought with Deiveson Figueiredo four times, overcoming his nemesis for the second time early this year to become a two-time UFC Flyweight champion. He originally secured the championship in June 2021. “The Assassin Baby” is the first UFC champion from Mexico. The 29-year-old is known for dominating the striking and grappling in the match. He is on a two-fight winning streak.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 29
- Height: 5’ 7”
- Reach: 70”
- Record: 21-6-2
Alexandre Pantoja
The 33-year-old from Rio de Janeiro is a formidable performer in the Flyweight division of the UFC. He planned to compete for the title earlier, but a knee injury delayed him. Now ranked number two in the division, the only person standing between “Cannibal” and the UFC Flyweight title is a man he has beaten twice. Arguably, the biggest scalp in a UFC career that began in 2017, the former Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Shooto Brazil Flyweight champion has other notable victories on his resume, including Brandon Royval and Alex Perez. The American Top Team member defeated both fighters in his last two visits to the octagon, bagging a Performance of the Night on both occasions.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 33
- Height: 5’ 5”
- Reach: 68”
- Record: 25-5
Betting Odds
Although he has lost severally to his opponent, Brandon Moreno is the overwhelming favorite in the championship fight. The Mexican champ is 1.50 to win on Bet 365, which also prices a Pantoja win at 2.70 odds. Under 1.5 rounds is priced at 3.45 on MarathonBet, with the over at 1.2 odds. 1XBET lists No for the third round to start at 2.55 odds.