Neither [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] nor [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] were chosen as the next UFC flyweight title challenger, but both men still could be in play if needed.
As it stands, Moreno (17-5-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) and Perez (24-5 MMA, 6-1 UFC) are expected to fight each other Nov. 21 at UFC 255. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the planned booking to MMA Junkie on Monday following an initial report from Spanish-language website Milenio.
UFC 251 currently is set to be headlined by a 125-pound title fight between champion Deiveson Figueiredo and ex-bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt, who was chosen to challenge for the belt over top contenders Moreno and Perez. Should Garbrandt, who’s making his flyweight debut, not make weight, the UFC could turn to Moreno or Perez to step in.
[lawrence-related id=539685,536998]
Moreno is ranked No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie flyweight rankings. He hasn’t been beaten in his last four fights, going 3-0-1 during that stretch. In his most recent bout, Moreno won a unanimous decision against Jussier Formiga in March at UFC on ESPN+ 28.
Perez, meanwhile, is No. 5 at 125 pounds and is riding a three-fight winning streak. His most recent victory also came against Formiga in June at UFC 250. Perez won the fight by TKO with vicious leg kicks.
Prior to Garbrandt getting the nod, both Moreno and Perez had expressed their desire to challenge Figueiredo, who claimed the vacant title last month with a first-round technical submission of Joseph Benavidez. If nothing else, Moreno vs. Perez could serve to determine the following No. 1 contender.
With the addition, the latest UFC 255 lineup includes:
- Champ Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt – for flyweight title
- Champ Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia – for women’s flyweight title
- Brandon Moreno vs. Alex Perez