Moreno Faces Morales At Noche UFC 4

Brandon Moreno meets Joseph Morales in the Noche UFC 4 co-main event Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, with the former flyweight champion hunting his first win in three outings.

Moreno, 32, has dropped consecutive bouts after a title reign that saw him capture and defend the UFC flyweight strap. The Mexican veteran still shows flashes of championship form but struggles with consistency, according to MMA Mania's Andrew Richardson. Moreno's jab remains the division's best when he uses it, but recent losses have exposed vulnerabilities to leg kicks and a tendency to load up on overhands.

Morales Surging After UFC Return

Morales returned to the octagon in 2025 via The Ultimate Fighter after being cut when the UFC nearly dissolved the flyweight division in 2018. The black belt has since scored two stoppage wins and enters as a slight betting favorite at -128, per FanDuel. Richardson points to Morales' pressure boxing and body work as key weapons, noting his success against Alibi Idiris last year came from consistent combinations and midsection attacks.

Both fighters hold jiu-jitsu black belts, but MMA Mania reports this shapes up as a standup affair between Mexican boxers who prefer to trade. Morales closed his last fight with a submission but built the finish off boxing exchanges that set up grappling opportunities. His power and fresher legs — 35 pro fights for Moreno versus far fewer miles on Morales — could decide a close decision.

Noche UFC 4 airs Saturday, September 12, with the Moreno-Morales co-main event following the main card opener on Paramount Plus.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Brandon Moreno vs. Joseph Morales: Odds, full fight preview and prediction | Noche UFC 4