UFC on ESPN+ 104 live results: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi
LAS VEGAS — Brandon Moreno retained his No. 1 ranking in the UFC flyweight division Saturday night, defeating Amir Albazi by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 104 at the UFC Apex.
Moreno (21-7-2) showed great footwork and striking as he beat the undefeated Albazi (16-1) to improve his career record to 5-0-1 in main events. All three judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Moreno, who outstruck Albazi 124-52.
Albazi put Moreno in a couple of precarious situations during the fight. But each time he tried to threaten Moreno’s neck or back with a submission attempt, Moreno would wriggle free and return to his striking game.
With the win, Moreno’s only real path to getting back a title shot against current UFC flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja seems to be defeating another contender. “Pantera” said that would require a victory over another contender.
Following his impressive showing on Saturday night, Moreno is likely one win away from securing another shot at the flyweight belt.
Moreno is now on a two-fight winning streak since losing his flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja by decision in April. That fight was in Brazil in front of a very passionate crowd, many of whom were rooting against the “Assassin Baby” (a fitting moniker given Moreno’s ferocious fighting style). However, Moreno is hoping his performance against Albazi was impressive enough to give him a second crack at Pantoja at a neutral venue.
It was Moreno’s ability to find his way to the finish line and dominate Albazi on Saturday night that will give him that much needed boost of momentum in his quest to win back the title.
The card featured the top contender in the flyweight division. Albazi’s first career loss leaves him still in a strong position to make a title run sometime in the near future, but will probably need at least one more impressive victory to earn a crack at the gold. Moreno will be hoping to take the fight in front of his family and fans in Las Vegas.
With a new opponent at the top of the UFC flyweight division, Moreno is ready for a chance to avenge his only career loss. And judging by the results of Saturday night, Moreno might just get it.
For those who were excited to see the battle between the best fighters at the top of the UFC flyweight division, this fight will surely disappoint.
The main event fight was overshadowed by some truly electrifying action, though. While the judges ultimately sided with Moreno, it was a highly contested affair. One judge even saw the first round for Albazi. There were times in the bout when Albazi controlled the pace and landed some brutal shots.
In a division with the most well-rounded and technical fighters, the matchup was nothing short of exhilarating, showcasing some truly elite martial arts skills. Even though Albazi has only been in the UFC for one year and only has two wins, his skills and ability are undeniable. Albazi dominated a large portion of the first two rounds before getting wobbled and getting hurt late in the third round. While he couldn’t hold onto Albazi and finished with the decision, Moreno was definitely in control during those crucial moments.
There were certainly some questionable decisions, and even though it may be premature to claim any bias from the judges, it did leave a sour taste in the mouths of some fight fans. That may be a blessing in disguise. Having judges’ decisions come down to those controversial decisions could add a whole other level of hype for Moreno, and help him solidify his spot as the main man in the division, and one of the UFC’s most valuable assets.
With the potential for a re-match against the flyweight champion looming large in the background, Moreno’s momentum could only increase with each performance. If there’s anyone in the division capable of carrying that weight, it’s “Assassin Baby” Moreno.
UFC on ESPN+ 104 Main Card
Main event: Brandon Moreno defeated Amir Albazi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Co-main event: Cory McKenna defeated Elise Reed by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight: Carlos Diego Ferreira defeated Dusko Todorovic by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Wellington Turman defeated Jun Yong Park by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Trey Ogden defeated Marc Diakiese by TKO (punches) at 1:07 of round 2
UFC on ESPN+ 104 Prelims
Women’s strawweight: Luana Pinheiro defeated Emily Ducote by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light heavyweight: Josh Fremd defeated Vinicius de Jesus by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Manuel Torres defeated Daniel Zellhuber by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Women’s strawweight: Tabatha Ricci defeated Maria Oliveira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight: Caio Borralho defeated Gadzhi Omargadzhiev by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC on ESPN+ 104 Highlights:
Round 1: The first round opened with a sense of cautious excitement, as both Moreno and Albazi seemed eager to get started. It quickly turned into a battle of grappling, showcasing both men’s agility and tactical nous. While neither fighter scored a decisive knockout, there were some strong takedown attempts and intense exchanges.
Round 2: Moreno’s agility allowed him to avoid a number of dangerous submission attempts from Albazi. While both men clearly aimed for the submission, it ultimately played into Moreno’s strength – his footwork. He used that strength to create angles for himself, taking advantage of Albazi’s strong but somewhat predictable movements. Albazi even took a deep bite on Moreno’s shin during the exchange which only solidified Moreno’s aggressive movement and pressure.
Round 3: This round belonged to Moreno who delivered some well-placed blows and managed to withstand Albazi’s last attempt to end the fight in a spectacular submission finish. A relentless push by Moreno resulted in him maintaining momentum throughout the entire round, showcasing his remarkable endurance.
Post-Fight Analysis:
Moreno was an undisputed champion. The flyweight division needed him to bring stability, and it certainly got it Saturday night. He cemented his place among the elite with his stellar win, leaving the audience chanting his name with the passion that usually only goes to the champion. Although there’s no guarantee he’ll have his shot at the title, he undoubtedly left his mark on the entire division, cementing his place as one of its pillars.
One question still remains. How will this victory influence the flyweight division? Will it create further tension, or might we witness a change in the way the contenders see their roles in the game? Perhaps only time can provide the answer.
The future remains to be seen. But one thing is clear – the UFC flyweight division has Moreno to thank for this energy boost. This was truly a moment to remember. And for Moreno, it was a chance to reassert his position, proving once again that he belongs among the elite, as he’s here to stay.
