The UFC’s flyweight division is entering a new era now that Brandon Moreno has closed the book on his rivalry with Deiveson Figueiredo after an epic four-fight saga.
“The Assassin Baby” now sets his sights on Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 in Las Vegas. Moreno will have a chance for redemption against the only man that has beaten him twice (one bout was an exhibition on TUF). If he retains his belt, up-and-comer Amir Albazi may be his next opponent.
Moreno joined the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani on Monday and said he doesn’t believe Albazi has earned the right to call for a chance at UFC gold.
“I don’t think so, man. I don’t think he deserves the opportunity yet. At the end, it’s the UFC that makes the decisions for my next opponents,” Moreno said. “When the UFC offers me opponents the only things I ask are like hey, when is the fight, who is the fighter and how much are you going to pay?”
Albazi is the third-ranked contender at flyweight and called for a chance at the belt after a controversial split-decision win over Kai Kara-France. Many believed Kara-France had done enough to earn the victory, Moreno included.
“I’m not going to lie to you. I think Kai Kara-France won that fight, but it was a close fight,” Moreno said.
The fight was close. Even if Albazi lost the decision, he still showed that he belonged amongst the best in the division. Albazi is also the only flyweight ranked in the top-5 that Moreno has not already fought.
A title shot is the logical next step for Albazi. If the stars align and he matches up with Moreno, it would have all the makings of a great fight.
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