Reigning flyweight champion Brandon Moreno faced Alexandre Pantoja in a rubber match in the co-main event of UFC 290.
UFC 290: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja
Round 1
Pantoja comes off firing in short range. Moreno grapples and pins him to the fence. Short knees in the clinch by Moreno. Moreno tries to take him down. Pantoja stays firm on the feet. They separate. Nice knee by Pantoja. Moreno jabs and jabs again and two-punch right hand combo. Pantoja clinches but fails to take him down. Pantoja grapples and they separate. Nice combination by Moreno. Long punches from the outside by Moreno. Big left hook from Pantoja drops Moreno. He capitalizes with big elbows in the ground and pound. He’s trying to advance position from the top. They get back to their feet. Big right hand from Moreno. Pantoja lands 1-2 right back. Big left uppercut/hook by Pantoja. Low kick by Pantoja and left hook and uppercut. Jab by Moreno. Pantoja goes to shoot and gets his back against the cage. They separate.
Round 2
Nice left hand by Pantoja. Big punch from Moreno. Nice left to the body by Moreno. Moreno lands another big left. Beautiful jab from Moreno. Jab from Moreno. Nice right hand from Pantoja. Moreno turns up the offense. He gets on his back on the ground. He’s got his legs wrapped around Pantoja. They get back up. Moreno rocks Pantoja with a huge left hand. Pantoja seems to have slowed down. Moreno working off his jab. Pantoja tries to close the distance and throws a kick down the middle. Jab from Pantoja. Moreno jabs and throws the right hand. Left hook right hand from Moreno and he eats a counter right from Pantoja. He gets Pantoja down at the bell.
Round 3
Moreno clinches, Pantoja knees him to the groin for a time out. They get back. Pantoja loading up, clinches and gets him down taking his back. He’s trying a body triangle. Moreno reverses, gets on top and back to the feet. Jabs from Moreno. Head kick by Moreno and 3-punch combo.They trade in pocket. Pantoja shoots. He gets him down on second attempt. Moreno gets out and on top.Back to the feet. Moreno lands a left hook to close.
Round 4
Moreno keeps his range with the jab. Nice left hook by Moreno. Uppercut to the body and head from Moreno. Pantoja fires back to the body and leg. Low kick by Pantoja. Moreno hurt him with that left hook. Uppercut and big elbow from Moreno. Pantoja gets him down. Pantoja tried to get in the half guard but Moreno escapes and gets back to the feet against the cage. Pantoja takes him down again and tries to advance position. Pantoja keeps him in a body lock on the ground. Moreno gets up and Pantoja is on the back. Pantoja gets him down and looks for an arm triangle. Moreno reverses and gets on top. Moreno back to the feet and working on the ground and pound. They both get back to the feet. Pantoja looks for the single leg but doesn’t get it. Big elbow from Moreno.
Round 5
Moreno pops him outside with the jab. Pantoja lands a big shot and moves laterally. Nice two left hands from Pantoja and big left hook from Moreno. Pantoja jabs and lands a huge left hand. Jab from Moreno. Left hook from Pantoja and then Moreno. Jab from Pantoja. Huge left hand from Moreno and two left hooks. Pantoja is getting popped by Moreno’s left hand. He eats a body shot. Two left hooks by Moreno. Pantoja gets the takedown. He works his way to the back. Moreno on his feet with Pantoja holding on to his back. Pantoja lands a few shots from the round. He ends the fight hanging onto Moreno’s back.
Official Result: Alexandre Pantoja defeats Brandon Moreno by split decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47).
Check out the highlights below:
Running it back for the strap!@TheAssassinBaby vs @PantojaMMA 2 starts NOW at #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/JUO7mxKEvU
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
What a fight! It's off to championship rounds!
Who's winning on your scorecards?? #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/ui3STjQW31
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
Five rounds in the books! Decision up next
Who took it on your scorecards? #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/7flgoHSHXH
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA BY SPLIT DECISION!!
We have a new flyweight world champion in @PantojaMMA! #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/ocbKi9JFAm
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
