Ex-champ Brandon Moreno explains why UFC Mexico win ranks in top three career moments
Moreno (23-8-2 MMA, 11-4-2 UFC), the first-ever Mexico born UFC champion, fought last month headlining UFC on ESPN 64 against Steve Erceg. The key detail about this flyweight contest is that it took place on home soil for Moreno. He entered the bout with a ton of pressure. Not only was he fighting for title contention, and headlining a UFC event, but he was also winless in his home country – at least under the UFC banner.
This was the fourth time Moreno competed in Mexico, and he had a 0-2-1 record. A win at UFC on ESPN 64 was a must.
"What took me to get the win meant so much to me," Moreno told MMA Junkie in Spanish. "I never gave up, and I always pushed forward. I remember when I got this fight offered, I was like, 'Man, again. Mexico City. The altitude. Everything that entails fighting in Mexico.' But I spoke to my team, and I wasn't going to win or try to go around the obstacle. I was going through it, and I was going to surpass it, and that's what happened. That's what made it extra special."
After defeating Steve Erceg by unanimous decision, Moreno was visibly emotional. Getting his hand raised in front of his people meant the world to him.
"I have three best moments in my career," Moreno said. "My UFC debut, when I win the UFC title, and this one (the win in Mexico)."
Moreno thinks having the ability to turn the page – win or lose – after a fight is key for a fighter's wellbeing. Unlike other sports, fighters don't get many chances throughout a year to put behind losses or snap losing streaks. Yet, Moreno admits things have been good after his latest outing.
"After you win, everything is good," Moreno said. "Even the flights. You're there in the plane after you win, and you're all chatty with whoever you're with, and you're just in a good mood. However, when you lose, you're just thinking, 'Man, I lost,' and you're a little sad. So yeah, everything is much better when you win."
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