[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] is leaving the UFC’s most recent event in Brazil with a huge career win.
The Mexican fighter defeated longtime veteran Jussier Formiga in a 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 unanimous decision on the preliminary card of UFC on ESPN+ 28, which took place Saturday night.
The flyweight bout closed out the preliminary card at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. It aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
Moreno (17-5-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) had to solve several puzzles on the ground in order to leave victorious.
In the first round, Moreno survived a guillotine choke and an omoplata attack, both times getting out of the submission and responding with top control and ground-and-pound.
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Formiga (23-7 MMA, 9-6 UFC) had a solid second round and was able to get a takedown and control the fight on the ground and also press Moreno against the cage. Moreno did have good moments with his striking and defensively on the ground, but the Brazilian looked to be in control for the majority of the five minutes.
In the third round, Moreno was sure to make it his. “The Baby Assassin.” kept the fight on the feet for the majority of the round and connected often on his opponent. Formiga was able to secure a takedown and mount, but the attack came late into the round with seconds remaining.
After the official result was revealed, Moreno sent a message to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard.
“Mick, please watch again the final and tell me why I don’t deserve to fight for the title next,” Moreno said. “Please tell me. I have a pen in the locker room, just tell me.”
Moreno is now unbeaten in his last four bouts, including three wins and one draw. The former LFA champion’s last defeat came in 2018, when he fell short to Alexandre Pantoja in a decision.
Meanwhile, Formiga is now on a two-fight skid, having lost to Joseph Benavides in the bout prior to Moreno.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 28 results include:
- Brandon Moreno def. Jussier Formiga via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Amanda Ribas def. Randa Markos via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)
- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Rani Yahya vs. Enrique Barzola ruled a majority draw (28-29, 28-28, 28-28)
- Maryna Moroz def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- David Dvorak def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Bea Malecki def. Veronica Macedo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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