‘No one is here putting a gun to my head to do this’: Brandon Moreno on fresh career focus heading into first Noche UFC fight

Brandon Moreno will make his long-awaited Noche UFC debut on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, facing Joseph Morales in what marks a special homecoming for the former two-time UFC flyweight champion. The venue holds profound meaning for Moreno—it's the same arena where he won his first UFC title in June 2021, submitting Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 263 in a co-main event that left the crowd roaring with Mexican flags waving throughout the building.

Moreno reflected on that career-defining night and the memorable moments surrounding it. "I just remember different moments of the fight, different moments of that night," he told MMA Fighting, recalling how Francis Ngannou held his youngest daughter while he was heading to the post-fight press conference, and later sharing pizza with Israel Adesanya. Those touchstones with fellow former UFC champions made the occasion unforgettable, and returning to the same location adds extra resonance to his Noche card appearance.

After missing out on three previous Noche UFC events due to injuries and scheduling conflicts, Moreno is thrilled to finally compete on the promotion's flagship Latin American show. "Man, finally, I'm going to fight at a Noche UFC," he said. "This is something I wanted to do this year." Morales, who won The Ultimate Fighter season 33 and has submitted both his official UFC opponents, represents hungry competition—qualities Moreno recognizes from his own earlier career.

Entering the bout on the heels of back-to-back losses (a December stoppage by Tatsuro Taira and a February decision loss to Lone'er Kavanagh), Moreno has adopted a refreshed perspective. He emphasized the importance of savoring the sport rather than taking it for granted. "No one is here putting a gun to my head to do this," Moreno reflected. "I'm doing this because I really love the sport... I feel healthy and I'm still doing amazing things in the gym. You have to remember what you started."