Brandon Moreno would gladly take title shot after UFC Edmonton win, but may ‘have to fight one more time’

Brandon Moreno’s UFC Edmonton performance was certainly championship caliber, but the two-time champ isn’t sure it will be enough to get him a title shot next.

Moreno dismantled Amir Albazi over five rounds in the main event of Saturday’s card at Rogers Place to snap a two-fight skid with a unanimous decision win. “The Assassin Baby” said he will gladly fight the winner of the upcoming flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura if the UFC offers it, but the 30-year-old believes he still may have work to do.

“I don’t know, hopefully [I fight for the belt next],” Moreno said at the evening’s post-fight press conference. “I want to be honest with myself, I think, maybe, I have to fight one more time before the title. But I don’t know what the UFC is thinking right now. Maybe they got so impressed with the performance tonight and say, ‘Maybe he can get the title next.’ I know [Brandon] Royval is there. Kai Kara-France is trying to get the opportunity for the title next. So, I don’t know. I’ll be ready for whatever.”

Moreno has fought Pantoja on three different occasions and come up short in all of them — including their most recent bout when he lost the title to the current champ at UFC 290 in July 2023. Moreno went on to face Brandon Royval for the second time in the main event of UFC Mexico City in February, when he again found himself on the wrong end of a split decision.

The exciting flyweight fighter has plenty of options in front of him, including potential third meetings with Royval and another top 125-pound contender.

“I can get [a rematch] with Royval,” Moreno said. “I don’t want to fight with Kai again because I fought him twice and I beat him, but if I have to do that [I will]. Tatsuro Taira is there. Kai Asakura, let’s see what happens there against Pantoja. If he loses, that can be the next one.

“I don’t know, let’s see what happens.”