Brandon Moreno Victorious Over Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico

Brandon Moreno delivered a thrilling performance for his hometown crowd at Arena CDMX on Saturday, securing a unanimous decision victory over Steve Erceg in the UFC on ESPN 64 main event. The hard-fought win marked Moreno's return to the win column and ignited hopes for another shot at the flyweight title.
The fight was a captivating chess match, with both fighters showcasing their technical skills and determination. Moreno started strong, utilizing his superior head movement and striking accuracy to gain an early advantage. However, Erceg quickly adapted, finding his rhythm and trading blows with the former champion.
As the fight progressed, the back-and-forth action kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. Moreno's sharper defense and strategic attacks seemed to give him the edge in most exchanges, but Erceg's resilience and occasional bursts of offense kept the judges guessing. The final rounds saw both fighters digging deep, pushing through fatigue and exchanging heavy shots in pursuit of victory.
Ultimately, the judges awarded Moreno the unanimous decision with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 49-46, sending the Mexico City crowd into a frenzy. The victory was especially meaningful for Moreno, who had previously struggled to find success in his home country. With this win, he not only defeats a tough top contender but also snaps a personal losing streak on Mexican soil.
In his post-fight interview, Moreno expressed his desire to compete at UFC 320, which is set to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, on September 13 as part of the annual Noche UFC event. He called for a title shot against current champion Alexandre Pantoja, although rumors suggest Pantoja may face Kai Kara-France next. Moreno's victory over Erceg solidifies his position as a top contender in the flyweight division and sets the stage for a potential title rematch.
Meanwhile, Erceg's loss marks his third consecutive defeat, a tough setback after an impressive showing in his title challenge against Pantoja. Despite his recent struggles, Erceg continues to face top-level competition and remains a dangerous opponent in the flyweight division.
The UFC on ESPN 64 card was filled with exciting finishes and hard-fought battles. Other notable results included:
- Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:45
- Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:30
- Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:38
- Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Ateba Gautier def. Jose Daniel Medina via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 3:32
- Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Loopy Godinez def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Rafa Garcia def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:06
- MarQuel Mederos def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)