Brandon Royval spoils Moreno’s homecoming at UFC Mexico Metropolis

Brandon Royval was not the favourite Saturday night time. Not within the betting odds, nor within the eyes of the followers within the constructing.

Throughout the cage from him was Brandon Moreno, the primary Mexican-born UFC champion who had but to win a UFC battle in his dwelling nation. With these playing cards stacked towards him, Royval rose to the event, getting back from an early deficit to beat Moreno by way of break up determination (48-47, 46-49, 48-47) within the flyweight fundamental occasion of UFC Mexico Metropolis.

The battle was very shut, and when the scorecards have been learn, the sold-out crowd fell silent. Royval, although, had picked up the most important win of his profession in entrance of onlookers he felt kinship with.

“I am a third-generation Mexican,” Royval mentioned in his postfight interview. “I do know that does not rely, however the one motive I get by this s— is as a result of I acquired that Mexican coronary heart like all you guys. … I really like you individuals. I really like Mexico. Hey, I am certainly one of you guys as a lot as I could be. The very best a part of me is you.”

Coming in, ESPN had Moreno ranked because the No. 2 flyweight on the earth, with Royval No. 7. Moreno entered as the most important favourite of his profession, at -310 odds, in keeping with ESPN Wager.

Decide Mike Bell had Royval profitable the second, third and fourth rounds. Decide Chris Lee had Royval profitable the primary, second and fourth. Decide Junichiro Kamijo, the lone dissenter, had Moreno profitable the primary, second, third and fifth rounds.

Moreno seemed good early, touchdown massive overhand rights within the first and second rounds. Royval appeared to injure his left leg throwing a kick within the first spherical, however he stored throwing it to stable impact. By the center rounds, Royval acquired into a pleasant rhythm with punching mixtures out of the southpaw stance plus knees and exhausting kicks to the physique.

“I am a f—ing gangster,” Royval mentioned. “I am the realest one on this f—ing flyweight division.”

Royval known as out UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, who was in attendance, for a rematch, telling him, “Let’s run that s— again.”

“I will individuals’s homes and taking their s—,” Royval mentioned.

Moreno’s authentic opponent was Amir Albazi, who withdrew final month due to a critical neck damage that required surgical procedure. Moreno had overwhelmed Royval as soon as earlier than, by way of first-round TKO in November 2020.

Royval (16-7) fell to Pantoja by way of unanimous determination on Dec. 16 at UFC 296. Earlier than that, the Colorado native had gained three straight. Royval, 31, has misplaced to solely two males within the UFC: Moreno and Pantoja (twice).

Moreno (21-8-2), a two-time former champion, has dropped two straight, his first dropping streak in 5 years. The Tijuana-born fighter misplaced the flyweight title to Pantoja final July at UFC 290.

Moreno, 30, is now 0-2 (1 NC) in Mexico. This was his first nontitle battle for the reason that 2020 matchup towards Royval.