“Brandon Moreno” Few fighters in the history of mixed martial arts have captured the hearts of fans quite like Brandon Moreno. With his infectious smile, well-documented love for building Lego sets, and a fiercely relentless fighting style that earned him the moniker “The Assassin Baby,” Moreno has cemented himself as an absolute legend in the UFC’s 125-pound division. Becoming the first-ever Mexican-born champion in Ultimate Fighting Championship history, his journey from being cut by the promotion to standing at the top of the mountain is the stuff of cinematic legend.
Whether you are a die-hard fan looking for the latest updates on the Brandon Moreno next fight, or a newcomer trying to figure out the Brandon Moreno rank and history, this comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about the former flyweight king. We will dive deep into his biography, his statistics, and the epic rivalries that have defined his career.
The Physical Foundation: Brandon Moreno Height and Brandon Moreno Age
To understand a fighter’s success inside the cage, you first have to look at the physical tools they bring to the table. Born on December 7, 1993, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, the current Brandon Moreno age is 32 (as of early 2026). In the flyweight division, where speed and reflexes wane notoriously fast, Moreno has managed to adapt his style beautifully as he has matured, trading reckless brawling for calculated, high-level boxing and grappling.
When analyzing his physical frame, the Brandon Moreno height stands at a solid 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m). This is an excellent frame for the 125-pound weight class. Coupled with a 70-inch reach, Moreno routinely enjoys a length advantage over many of his flyweight peers. He uses this reach incredibly well to establish his crisp jab and to lock in his signature rear-naked chokes during grappling scrambles.
Behind the Champion: Brandon Moreno Wife and Family
MMA is an incredibly grueling sport, and for athletes to succeed at the highest level, they need an unshakeable support system. For “The Assassin Baby,” that foundation is his family. Any fan looking into the personal life of the former champion will inevitably search for information about the Brandon Moreno wife.
Shirley Moreno has been Brandon’s rock since long before the glitz, glamour, and gold of the UFC. The couple has been together for over a decade, surviving the lean years when Moreno was struggling to make ends meet on the regional Mexican circuit. Together, they have three beautiful daughters. Moreno has frequently cited his wife and daughters as his primary motivation for stepping into the Octagon, noting that his desire to provide them with a perfect life overrides the fear of taking damage inside the cage.
By the Numbers: Brandon Moreno Record and Brandon Moreno Stats
Numbers rarely tell the whole story of a fighter’s heart, but they certainly paint a picture of their effectiveness. The current Brandon Moreno record stands at a highly impressive 23-9-2. What makes this record special is the level of competition; Moreno has spent the vast majority of his career fighting absolute killers in the top 5 of the division.
Let’s take a closer look at the key Brandon Moreno stats:
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Significant Strikes Landed per Minute (SLpM): 3.89
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Striking Accuracy: 44%
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Significant Strikes Absorbed per Minute (SApM): 3.62
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Takedown Average (per 15 minutes): 1.47
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Takedown Accuracy: 44%
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Takedown Defense: 64%
Looking at his finishing rates, Moreno boasts 11 wins by submission and 5 wins by knockout. He is a modern, complete mixed martial artist. Early in his career, he relied heavily on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (he holds a black belt under Raúl Arvizu), snatching up quick guillotine and triangle chokes. Over time, however, his striking evolved tremendously, allowing him to stand and trade with the most dangerous kickboxers in the world.
A Look Back: Brandon Moreno Last Fight
In the fight game, you are only as good as your last performance, and the Brandon Moreno last fight was a tough pill to swallow for his massive fanbase. At UFC 323 in December 2025, Moreno stepped into the cage against the undefeated Japanese prodigy, Tatsuro Taira.
The MMA community was heavily invested in this clash of generations—the established Mexican legend versus the rising Asian superstar. Unfortunately for Moreno, Taira proved to be a puzzle he could not solve on that given night. Taira managed to secure dominant grappling positions, ultimately finishing Moreno via TKO from back mount at 2:24 of the second round.
This loss was a significant setback. Moreno had built his career on his legendary durability—having never been finished by strikes in the UFC prior to this bout. However, true to his nature, Moreno immediately accepted his mistakes, got back into the gym, and looked toward the future rather than dwelling on the past.
The Landscape: Brandon Moreno Rank
Following the Taira fight, there was a shift in the divisional hierarchy. As of early 2026, the Brandon Moreno rank sits at #6 in the official UFC flyweight standings.
For a man who is used to sitting on the throne or occupying the #1 contender spot, dropping to the #6 position is unfamiliar territory. Yet, the flyweight division remains a shark tank. The path back to a title shot is never incredibly long if you are a fan favorite capable of putting on spectacular fights. Moreno knows that a statement win against a rising contender can instantly propel him back into the championship conversation.
The Comeback: Brandon Moreno Next Fight
The MMA world never stops moving, and fans are constantly searching for the Brandon Moreno next fight. They won’t have to wait long. Moreno is booked to headline a massive UFC Fight Night event on February 28, 2026, at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, right in front of his beloved hometown crowd.
His opponent? The heavy-hitting, dangerous English prospect Lone’er Kavanagh.
Whenever you look up a “brandon moreno vs” search on Google, you usually see names of established veterans. Taking on a 9-1 prospect like Kavanagh is a massive risk for Moreno, as he is the one with everything to lose. Kavanagh is only three fights deep into his UFC tenure, but he is hungry to use a legend like Moreno as a stepping stone. However, Moreno specifically requested a fight in Mexico City to give his people something to smile about during difficult times in the country. He brings unmatched five-round experience into this bout, aiming to prove that “The Assassin Baby” is still a premier force at 125 pounds.
Epic Rivalries: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja
To truly grasp the legacy of Brandon Moreno, we must examine the men who pushed him to his absolute limits. At the very top of that list is the Brazilian champion, Alexandre Pantoja. The search term brandon moreno vs alexandre pantoja brings up a trilogy of fights that spans nearly a decade.
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The Ultimate Fighter (2016): Their paths first crossed on TUF Season 24. Pantoja, the highly touted veteran, submitted Moreno in the second round of their exhibition bout.
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UFC Fight Night Chile (2018): They met officially in the Octagon two years later. Pantoja battered Moreno over three rounds, securing a dominant unanimous decision. This loss was devastating for Moreno, directly leading to his temporary release from the UFC.
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UFC 290 (2023): This was the pinnacle of their rivalry. Moreno was the defending champion, and Pantoja was the challenger. What followed was an absolute masterpiece of violence—one of the greatest fights in UFC history and the 2023 Fight of the Year. For five grueling rounds, they traded vicious hooks, elbows, and ground transitions. In the end, Pantoja walked away with a razor-thin split decision victory, capturing the title and proving once again to be Moreno’s stylistic kryptonite.
Chaos and Scrambles: Brandon Moreno vs Brandon Royval
If Pantoja brought out the warrior in Moreno, Brandon Royval brought out the sheer chaos. The brandon moreno vs brandon royval saga is a fascinating tale of two fighters who simply refuse to take a backward step.
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UFC 255 (2020): Their first encounter was heavily anticipated as a chaotic grappling dream match. However, it ended abruptly late in the first round. During a wild scramble, Royval suffered a dislocated shoulder, and Moreno capitalized with ground and pound to secure a TKO victory.
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UFC Fight Night 237 (2024): Four years later, they met again, this time headlining an event in Mexico City. The rematch was everything fans hoped the first fight would be. It was a relentless, high-pace, five-round war. Royval pushed a freakish pace, throwing volume that tested Moreno’s renowned cardio. Despite landing heavy, damaging shots, Moreno found himself on the wrong end of a controversial split decision, allowing Royval to even the score.
The Historic Tetralogy: The Figueiredo Chapter
While Pantoja and Royval are massive parts of his story, it is impossible to discuss Moreno without dedicating a space to Deiveson “Deus Da Guerra” Figueiredo. The two men fought each other an unprecedented four times in a row for the UFC Flyweight Championship.
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Fight 1 (UFC 256): A late-replacement fight that ended in an epic Majority Draw, setting the MMA world on fire.
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Fight 2 (UFC 263): Moreno put on a flawless performance, submitting Figueiredo to become the first Mexican-born champion in UFC history. The image of him weeping with the belt remains iconic.
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Fight 3 (UFC 270): Figueiredo made adjustments, knocking Moreno down multiple times to win a close unanimous decision and reclaim the belt.
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Fight 4 (UFC 283): In Figueiredo’s home country of Brazil, Moreno silenced the crowd by landing a devastating left hook that closed the Brazilian’s eye, winning via Doctor’s Stoppage TKO in the third round to close the rivalry forever.
The Fighting Style of The Assassin Baby
What makes Brandon Moreno such a fascinating fighter to watch? It all starts with his durability. He possesses a legendary chin, allowing him to walk through fire to land his own shots.
Under the tutelage of various coaches over the years—including the team at Entram Gym, James Krause, and later Sayif Saud at Fortis MMA—Moreno developed an incredibly slick boxing game. His lead left hook is a lethal weapon, and he utilizes a stinging jab to manage distance.
When the fight hits the mat, Moreno’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pedigree shines. He thrives in the “scrambles”—the chaotic moments between positions where fighters are fighting for dominance. If an opponent leaves their neck exposed for even a fraction of a second during a transition, Moreno will latch onto a rear-naked choke with the grip strength of a vice.
The Cultural Impact of Mexico’s First Champion
Moreno’s legacy extends far beyond his Brandon Moreno stats or his Brandon Moreno record. He broke a glass ceiling for Mexican MMA. Mexico has a rich, deeply ingrained, and romanticized history in combat sports, particularly boxing. Legends like Julio César Chávez, Canelo Álvarez, and Juan Manuel Márquez are national heroes.
However, before Moreno, Mexico had never tasted UFC gold. By capturing the flyweight championship, Moreno legitimized mixed martial arts in his home country. He paved the way for a new generation of Mexican fighters, inspiring peers like Alexa Grasso and Yair Rodriguez, who both followed in his footsteps to capture UFC championships shortly after his monumental win.
What the Future Holds
As we look toward the Brandon Moreno next fight tonight in Mexico City, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. At 32 years old, Moreno is at a crossroads. A victory over a hungry prospect like Lone’er Kavanagh proves he is still a top-tier gatekeeper to the title, ready to make one final run at the undisputed 125-pound championship.
Regardless of what happens in the future, Brandon Moreno has already secured his place in the UFC Hall of Fame. From getting cut by the promotion, fighting his way back through the LFA, claiming gold, and bringing pride to the people of Tijuana, his story is one of ultimate resilience. He is the Assassin Baby—a smiling, Lego-building warrior who proved that with enough heart, the impossible is just a matter of time.
