There’s no denying Mexico has been on the come up, especially in 2023. However, despite having two UFC undisputed champions and one interim, Brandon Moreno is hesitant to call Mexico a superpower in MMA.
The current UFC flyweight champion, and first Mexico-born fighter to win a UFC title, believes his country still has ways until it becomes a fixed power in the octagon. Moreno (21-6-2 MMA, 9-3-2 UFC), who defends his title this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 290 against Alexandre Pantoja (25-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC), is confident Mexico can become a major influence in MMA.
“We still have work to do, we still have work to do,” Moreno told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “It’s custom that every card there’s a Brazilian, there’s a Russian, there’s an American, and I want that for Mexicans in the UFC. We’re still not there yet.
“I’ve always been very centered, and no one is going to change me from my stance. People tell me, ‘You need to be more positive. You need to be more optimistic,’ and of course, but you also need to put in the work, we can’t sleep and we have to continue working towards that. What I can tell you, is that we’re on an excellent path. That I can tell you.”
Moreno will fight prior to his fellow countryman Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290. Rodriguez fights in the main event in a title unification bout against Alexander Volkanovski.
For Moreno, it’s surreal to see two Mexicans headline the UFC’s International Fight Week event – something he never even dreamed of.
“You do dream of the future, of course, and I would dream of just being there fighting on International Fight Week in a big event, pay-per-view, and that was that,” Moreno said. “But what’s happening this Saturday is nuts. Two Mexicans headlining: Yair against Volkanovski and me versus Pantoja, plus three other Mexicans on the card. I don’t think we could’ve asked for it any better. It’s crazy, and I’m excited for it.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.
