Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno returned to the win column with a stellar efficiency towards Amir Albazi.
The flyweight bout was the UFC Battle Evening 246 major occasion at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Moreno (22-8-2 MMA, 10-5-2 UFC) styled on Albazi (17-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) over the 25-minute battle, incomes unanimous scores of 49-46, 50-45 and 50-45.
The battle began with a measured tempo, with each fighters working behind jabs. Moreno’s major weapon was the left hand, which arrange the occasional mixture. Albazi appeared for just a few leg kicks in his offense however was outstruck by the previous champion within the opening spherical.
Moreno discovered success early in Spherical 2 with a strong left head kick that wobbled Albazi. After shortly getting up from a takedown, Moreno continued to guide the dance with efficient putting on the ft, stumbling Albazi with a punch within the final minute.
With Albazi bruised and bloodied, Moreno poured on the strain early in Spherical 3, getting a bit sloppy at occasions as he tried to create a giant second. Albazi discovered a house for just a few strong punches, however Moreno shortly settled again in and continued to guide the battle.
Albazi’s nook implored their fighter to ramp up the aggressiveness heading into the championship rounds. That’s simpler mentioned than achieved towards Moreno, who was unfastened and flowing along with his offense.
In Spherical 4, Albazi did let his arms go extra, however Moreno was greater than keen to shortly return hearth as he maintained management of the middle of the octagon.
Albazi entered the ultimate spherical needing a end, however he was met with an aggressive Moreno, who got here out combating like he was the one down on the scorecards.
Shortly after a watch poke to Moreno triggered a quick pause within the motion, the previous champ cracked Albazi with a giant punch. The Canadian crowd responded with chants for Moreno.
The Mexico-born fighter wasn’t achieved but, although.
He stayed on the hunt, cracking Albazi with extra punches, and even tried a rolling thunder kick within the closing seconds to finish the battle with aptitude.
Closing this battle out in type 🤸♂️ #UFCEdmonton pic.twitter.com/Ta7OkLPsj7
— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2024
The outcome ended a two-fight skid for Moreno, as he ended up on the flawed finish of a pair of break up selections towards Alexandre Pantoja in a title battle at UFC 290 and Brandon Royval in a February major occasion.
Throughout his post-fight interview, Moreno expressed his need to dive right into a full plate of meals, however extra importantly, regain his flyweight title and as soon as once more rule the 125-pound division.
“Man I wanna eat!”
By no means change Brandon Moreno 😂 #UFCEdmonton pic.twitter.com/CPLFJuvchD
— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2024
For Albazi, his return to motion for the primary time since final June didn’t go his manner, as he struggled to search out momentum. Consequently, his six-fight successful streak involves an finish with simply his second loss as a professional.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Battle Evening 246 outcomes embrace:
- Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi by way of unanimous choice (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
- Erin Blanchfield def. Rose Namajunas by way of unanimous choice (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
- Brendson Ribeiro def. Caio Machado by way of break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Ariane da Silva by way of submission (D’Arce choke) – Spherical 3, 2:28
- Dustin Stoltzfus def. Marc-Andre Barriault by way of knockout (punches) – Spherical 1, 4:28
- Mike Malott def. Trevin Giles by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Aiemann Zahabi def. Pedro Munhoz by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Charles Jourdain def. Victor Henry by way of submission (guillotine choke) – Spherical 2, 3:43
- Youssef Zalal def. Jack Shore by way of submission (arm-triangle choke) – Spherical 2, 0:59
- Alexandr Romanov def. Rodrigo Nascimento by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Serhiy Sidey def. Garrett Armfield by way of break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Cody Gibson def. Chad Anheliger by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Ivana Petrovic by way of break up choice (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Battle Evening 246.
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