By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight king Brandon Moreno returned with a bang after pulling off a lopsided win over Amir Albazi during the main event of the UFC Fight Night 246 on November 3, 2024.
With the win, Moreno just ended his uncharacteristic UFC losing streak since losing his belt to current champion Alexandre Pantoja last July 8, 2023.
It was a dominant display of technique for Moreno as all of the official match judges gave the bout to him, 49-46, 50-45, 50-45.
From the get-go, the more experienced Moreno stepped on the gas pedal and stalked Albazi with his quick jabs and 1-2 combinations.
Moreno unanimously scored the opening frame after scoring a late takedown in the final 25 seconds, increasing his already huge point tally boosted by several jabs that landed cleanly to Albazi’s face.
Albazi attempted to change the complexion of the fight when he decided to match Moreno’s stand-up fight efficiency by landing haymakers on the back foot.
However, that move didn’t change anything as Moreno wisely ducked and targeted his body while following it up with short leg kicks.
Midway through the third round, Moreno was slowly turning the fight into a personal showcase as he out-boxed Albazi and added a little creativity with back-to-back spinning elbows.
All hell broke loose in the fourth round when the desperate Albazi kicked off the frame with a sense of urgency and hit Moreno with three left straights.
Wise enough to avoid more damage, Moreno played the efficient in-and-out style in the fourth and fifth rounds and didn’t engage in any careless stand-up exchanges against Albazi.
“I feel fantastic. I feel like a new guy, a new person. I knew I needed all these months, just resting with my family, and be back tonight,” said Moreno after his big win.
