Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno (above, left) will be stepping away from the sport, at least for the time being.
The 30-year-old Mexican fighter is one of the mainstays in the UFC's 125-pound division, having competed in six consecutive championship fights from 2020 to last July, including a four-fight fight against rival Deiveson Figueiredo. This includes consecutive matches. He finished first with two wins, one draw and a lone loss.
However, Moreno has recently lost two straight in the Octagon. He avenged his previous loss to Moreno in November 2020, both by split decision against current champion Alexandre Pantoja and last month's Brandon Roybal.
And while he has said he would one day pursue the UFC flyweight title again, it's time for him to take a break.
“I think I've reached my mental limit and I'm tired,” Moreno said in a video in Spanish. Social mediaaccording to the translation MMA Junkie.
“This is not goodbye, just wait for me, be patient, let my body do its thing, and above all let my heart, my head calm down, recover. Recover, we can work again. 'I'm going back to things being right,' Moreno explained. “The last time something like that happened, I came back and was world champion. I like to think I can do the same and I'll be in tears if I go back. I still feel like I'm a world champion. I think he's a great fighter and has all the qualities and abilities to become champion again.”
He further added: Everyone who supports me has done their best to help me, so there's nothing I can do to repay them. All I promise at this point is to keep fighting, moving forward, and finding the right path forward.
“I'm going to do everything to get myself back. I want to do it, I know I can do it, and I'm going to do it. I'm going to be a champion. I have no choice but to rest my body and mind.”
