“I Understand We Have Some History”- 5 Years After the Devastating Incident, UFC Champ Brandon Moreno Opens Up on Facing Rival Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290

Brandon Moreno has an interesting fight on his way. Moreno is all set to face Alexandre Pantoja for the third time. It was Pantoja who won both the previous fights. Now, this will serve as a great motivation for the Mexican at UFC 290. The two ferocious fighters first locked horns in the 24th season of The Ultimate Fighter. After fighting in TUF in 2016, the flyweights clashed in UFC, Chile, after two long years. Both these bouts paved the way for two pathetic losses of ‘The Assassin Baby.’

After their bout at UFC Fight Night 129, Moreno was removed from UFC in the very same year after he faced two consecutive losses against the top flyweights Sergio Pettis and ‘The Cannibal’. However, the Mexican’s UFC career didn’t end there. He went out of the promotion to achieve the LFA flyweight title. Now, he reigns as the UFC flyweight champion and Pantoja is once again a serious threat to him. Nonetheless, the history between the two fighters provides a major motivation for Moreno now.

Brandon Moreno talks about his upcoming bout against Alexandre Pantoja

Brandon Moreno was talking with the MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani. During the interview, Helwani asked about his thoughts on the upcoming bout against Pantoja, considering their bitter history. As a reply to Helwani’s query, ‘The Assassin Baby’ said, “Maybe I mean no personal. You know I don’t have like really bad intentions against Pantoja. I understand he’s my next opponent.”

He further added, “I understand we have some history in the past and you know that competitive part of myself and tell me like ‘Hey man, you need to beat this guy, you can’t lose against him’. So that is an extra motivation, but man, you know how I am. I’m just trying to fight and win some money, buy toys for me and my daughters.” According to Moreno, it’s money and his passion for fighting that matter most to him. Nonetheless, he is motivated to fight against Pantoja.

Who will win in UFC 290?

When ‘The Assassin Baby’ and ‘The Cannibal’ clashed for the first time at UFC, Moreno lost the bout via decision. It was a three-round bout that ended with blood oozing from Moreno’s nose. The judges scored in favor of ‘The Cannibal.’ The fans are waiting to see the rivals fight for once again at UFC 290.

READ MORE: Brandon Moreno Eyes a Violent End to ‘The Last Dance’ With Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283

The title shot is set to take place on July 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Currently, the 33-year-old Pantoja has a record of 25 victories and 5 losses, and Moreno has a 21-6-2 record. Who do you think will win between the two? Do let us know in the comments below.

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