UFC CEO Dana White has recently announced the UFC Edmonton card, with former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno headlining the event. Interestingly, the ‘Assassin Baby’ is the first Mexican UFC champion. Despite having that accolade in his name, the UFC did not put Moreno on the UFC Noche (UFC 306) card at the Sphere.
The highly anticipated UFC Noche event is scheduled for the auspicious Mexican Independence Day. It is an effort from the promotion to pay tribute to the people of Mexico. With that being said, Mexican fighter Brandon Moreno, a former UFC champion, was snubbed off the opportunity to fight on the Mexican Independence Day.
Dana White booked Moreno for the coming UFC fight night on November 2 in Edmonton, Canada. The fight card will also feature women’s flyweight contenders Erin Blanchfield and Rose Namajunas in the co-main event. As for the people of Edmonton, the crowd awaits another exciting MMA promotion coming to their home.
Coming to Brandon Moreno’s career at the UFC, the ‘Assassin Baby’ made his UFC debut in the year 2016. Since then, he has been one of the exciting flyweights in the promotion. His career peaked when he became the first Mexican-born fighter to wear the UFC gold around his waist. However, the last year has not gone according to his plan.
The Assassin Baby is currently on a two-fight losing streak following his loss against Brandon Royval. Moreno’s recent form might be one of the reasons why the UFC excluded him from the UFC Noche card. Interestingly, another prominent Mexican did not get the opportunity to fight on the Mexican Independence Day.
Brandon Moreno’s friend Yair Rodriguez gets overlooked for the UFC Noche event
When Moreno became the first-ever Mexican-born UFC champion, he inspired several fellow compatriots to fight for the UFC gold. UFC featherweight fighter Yair Rodriguez was another Mexican-born fighter inclined towards making a fortune at the promotion. With that zeal, ‘El Pantera’ became the interim UFC featherweight champion after defeating Josh Emmett.
Yair Rodriguez holding the Mexican Flag (Image via Imago)Similarly to Moreno, Rodriguez’s graph at the promotion drastically fell off from that moment. The featherweight is also on a two-fight losing streak, with the most recent defeat against Brian Ortega. Interestingly, following Ortega eventually got the opportunity to fight on the UFC Noche card.
There are several speculations that, like Moreno, El Pantera’s poor run of form at the promotion has made them viewers for the grand UFC Noche event. However, the UFC has not disclosed any reason for that yet. Now, only a late injury replacement might open a door for Rodriguez. The UFC bossman has already scheduled Moreno’s next fight. It won’t be long before fans see him fight again.
