Brandon Moreno needs a nice long break from mixed martial arts.
In a lengthy video posted on the former flyweight champ’s Instagram, Moreno revealed that he would be stepping away from the Octagon to heal up and spend some much-needed time with his family.
“I feel like I’m at a point in my life where I’m putting in the work, I’m dedicated, but the results just aren’t there, and it’s very frustrating,” Moreno said in Spanish. “This is something that makes me very sad, but something that makes me who I am is that I always find a way to come back.
“I think with all the technical aspect things aside, I think I’m just tired. I’m tired of the media, the same questions, the vibe, the constant pressure. I don’t even think it’s a single moment anymore. I think it’s everything I’ve piled on my shoulders in the last few years. I’ve reached a point where my mind is stressed, and I just want to rest a bit. I’m not saying I’m 100 percent stepping away from MMA, but I do want to take a break to rest, be with my family and just be a normal person, be with my daughters, and just do new things.
“There are many things I haven’t done because I’m 100 percent focused on my training. I just want to rest a bit. This is by no means a goodbye. Just wait for me, have patience, let my body and my mind recover, and we’ll come back to do things well.”
Moreno has struggled inside the Octagon as of late, dropping three of his last five, including back-to-back losses against currently flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval.
The loss against Royval was particularly frustrating for Moreno as it came via a closely contested split decision against a fighter who had stepped into the bout on short notice. It also put the UFC in a bit of a pickle at the top of the division, leading to a flyweight championship fight between Pantoja and relative newcomer Steve Erceg being booked for UFC 301.
“So yeah, what can I say? Even a month after the fight, I’m still digesting it a bit,” Moreno said. “I’m thankful for the beautiful moment because that walk to the octagon in Arena CDMX was super cool. It was something special and very beautiful because the last time I was there was in 2019, and people already knew who I was, and I was getting cheered, but you can’t compare it to this time. Everyone was supporting me and singing my song, and it was beautiful.
“At the same time, it also frustrates me a bit because I tried so hard to win. The camp was very good. I managed to stay away from injuries, and I was able to work very well. I put all my heart to get the win, and it didn’t happen. I now have two consecutive losses, but they’re two weird losses. Those are losses where you can make an argument that I won. Obviously, at the end of the day, a loss is a loss. Even though one guy left to the hospital and the other had to be taken out on a wheelchair out of the arena, I still didn’t get the win. So based on that, there’s work to do.”
Brandon Moreno Plans to Retake the Flyweight Title When He Returns to the Octagon
Though Moreno’s announcement likely generated some disappointment among his fans, ‘The Assassin Baby’ stressed that not only will he return to the Octagon, but he has every intention of once again becoming the UFC’s flyweight world champion.
“The last time that happened, I came back, and I became a world champion,” Moreno said. “I’d like to think I can do the same and when I return, I’m going to go on a tear. I still think I’m an incredible fighter, and I have all the qualities and abilities to be a champion again.
“I just think I’ve reached a limit in my mind, and I’m tired. But outside of that, everything is excellent. I’m happy. I leave with the event on Feb. 24 with all the Mexicans that did get wins: “El Loco” Torres, Daniel Zellhuber, Edgar Chairez, Yazmin (Jauregui), Jesus Aguilar, all of them had the flag up high, and we have to keep supporting them. I know that more Mexican talent is coming, and we’ll see them in big UFC events.
“So I leave with that and the support. Everyone that supports me is fully on board, and there’s no way I can ever repay that. At this point, all I promise is that I’ll continue fighting, moving forward, and I will find the right path to move forward. I’m going to do everything to pick myself up again. I want to do it, I know I can do it, and I’m going to do it. I’m going to be champion. I just need to rest my body and mind.”
Check out some of Brandon Moreno’s best UFC highlights below:
Transcription courtesy of MMA Junkie.
