Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno returned to the win column with a stellar efficiency towards Amir Albazi.
The flyweight bout was the UFC Combat Evening 246 foremost 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 combat, incomes unanimous scores of 49-46, 50-45 and 50-45.
The combat 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 seemed 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 stable left head kick that wobbled Albazi. After shortly getting up from a takedown, Moreno continued to steer the dance with efficient putting on the toes, 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 stable punches, however Moreno shortly settled again in and continued to steer the combat.
Albazi’s nook implored their fighter to ramp up the aggressiveness heading into the championship rounds. That’s simpler mentioned than performed towards Moreno, who was free and flowing along with his offense.
In Spherical 4, Albazi did let his palms go extra, however Moreno was greater than prepared to shortly return fireplace 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 preventing like he was the one down on the scorecards.
Shortly after an eye fixed poke to Moreno triggered a short 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 performed 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 combat with aptitude.
Closing this combat out in model 🤸♂️ #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 improper finish of a pair of break up choices towards Alexandre Pantoja in a title combat at UFC 290 and Brandon Royval in a February foremost 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 approach, as he struggled to search out momentum. In consequence, his six-fight successful streak involves an finish with simply his second loss as a professional.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Combat Evening 246 outcomes embody:
- Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi through unanimous choice (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
- Erin Blanchfield def. Rose Namajunas through unanimous choice (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
- Brendson Ribeiro def. Caio Machado through break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Ariane da Silva through submission (D’Arce choke) – Spherical 3, 2:28
- Dustin Stoltzfus def. Marc-Andre Barriault through knockout (punches) – Spherical 1, 4:28
- Mike Malott def. Trevin Giles through unanimous choice (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Aiemann Zahabi def. Pedro Munhoz through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Charles Jourdain def. Victor Henry through submission (guillotine choke) – Spherical 2, 3:43
- Youssef Zalal def. Jack Shore through submission (arm-triangle choke) – Spherical 2, 0:59
- Alexandr Romanov def. Rodrigo Nascimento through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Serhiy Sidey def. Garrett Armfield through break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Cody Gibson def. Chad Anheliger through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Ivana Petrovic through break up choice (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Combat Evening 246.
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