Moreno beats Erceg in UFC Mexico City main event

Former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno got his hand raised in his home country.

Moreno defeated Steve Erceg via unanimous decision in the UFC Mexico City main event Saturday night at Arena CDMX.

All three judges scored the fight 49-46 in favor of Moreno, who's from Tijuana, Mexico.

Moreno secured his first victory in Mexico City after producing a 0-2-1 record in his first three fights there, which includes two other main events. The 31-year-old said in his postfight interview that he wants to compete at UFC 320 - this year's Noche UFC event - on Sept. 13 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"I really believe I can move the needle (for) the pay-per-view in Guadalajara," Moreno said. "Let's do it."

Moreno started quickly in Round 1, landing several left hands and a solid punch to Erceg's body. Moreno tested his opponent's chin with a heavy right.

Erceg found his rhythm midway through the fight, beginning to outwork Moreno with crisp boxing. But Moreno got the better of the action in the last two rounds to seal the win.

Moreno, ranked No. 2 in the 125-pound division, is now riding a two-fight winning streak after he cruised past Amir Albazi at UFC Edmonton in November.

Moreno, a former two-time champion, dropped the title to Alexandre Pantoja in July 2023 before losing a split decision to Brandon Royval in February 2024.

Erceg, the No. 8-ranked flyweight, has lost three straight. The Australian - who came up short in a title fight against Pantoja last May - began his Octagon career in 2023 with earned three consecutive wins.