In previous years, the UFC would have a display known as The Thrill and the Agony, detailing a take a look at the winners and losers of fights that came about all over pay-per-view occasions (now simply referred to as numbered playing cards). The arena of MMA has its ups and downs, ebbs and flows, for each fighter – it occurs almost in all sports activities.
This weekend’s UFC event in Mexico caused 3 opponents in featured contests who, at one level, had numerous momentum going for them. Now, after their losses, we’re left with a variety of questions on what’s subsequent.
Brandon Moreno
This was once a must-win state of affairs for Brandon Moreno to stay himself related on the height of the burden elegance. He was once combating in entrance of a local crowd in opposition to an unranked opponent – granted, one that took the struggle as an harm fill-in on a couple of month’s realize. The setup for the rebound after you have knocked out for the primary time in his occupation was once best.
He misplaced. And now not simplest did he lose in a surprising dissatisfied, however he misplaced in lovely convincing type. Kavanagh’s moves had been faster, he confirmed nice counter paintings, and he even rocked Moreno a time or two. The one factor Moreno looked as if it would have going for him was once the clinch sport, or even then, he didn’t do a lot with it. Kavanagh stopped Moreno’s takedown makes an attempt, injured one among his legs, and flat out was once in keep watch over for lots of the 25 mins.
That is now 4 losses in six fights for Moreno, stretching again to him shedding the flyweight identify to Alexandre Pantojs at UFC 290. Although he drops just one spot within the UFC ratings, the result’s transparent – Moreno, a former two-time champion, is not within the flyweight identify image.
Moreno is 32 and can want a couple of wins to paintings his long ago as much as the higher echelon of flyweight. Does he glance to construct himself again up thru fights with Alex Perez, Tagir Ulanbekov, Charles Johnson, and at first scheduled UFC Mexico Town opponent Asu Almabayev? Does he transfer as much as bantamweight?
Brandon Moreno and his staff want to have a good dialog.
Marlon Vera
That stated, Moreno remains to be in a greater place than Marlon Vera. “Chito” has now misplaced 4 immediately and 5 of his ultimate six. His simplest win since 2023 was once the unanimous determination over Pedro Munhoz that earned him a bantamweight identify shot – one by which he convincingly misplaced to Sean O’Malley at UFC 299.
This can be a scorching take bearing in mind Vera’s reputation; on the other hand, if Moreno is out of the identify image however nonetheless slightly related at flyweight, then “Chito” is not related at bantamweight. He’ll be very fortunate if he’s nonetheless ranked within the top-15. And bearing in mind his dropping streak and his age (33), he’ll more than likely get matched up with any individual unranked subsequent.
And if Vera loses that struggle, then we’re speaking realistically in regards to the likelihood Vera more than likely will get minimize through the UFC.
Daniel Zellhuber
Have in mind when Daniel Zellhuber was once a reputation other folks had their eye on in 2024? That was once the 12 months he defeated Francisco Prado within the UFC Mexico Town Combat of the Evening in February, after which went directly to have the Combat of the Yr with Esteban Ribovics that Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 in September.
Even supposing he misplaced to Ribovics, it gave the impression lovely positive that Zellhuber may well be regarded as a long run Mexican-born celebrity within the UFC. Now, he’s now not simplest misplaced 3 in a row, however he’s misplaced the goodwill of the lovers, and he would possibly simply be one struggle clear of getting the awl, too.
I don’t wish to remove from King Inexperienced’s fantastic run at 39 years outdated. He’s appearing he can nonetheless pass. However Zellhuber seemed misplaced. Inexperienced’s mobility helped him, and he in truth seemed quicker than Zellhuber from time to time! When the one factor you’ve got going for you in opposition to Inexperienced is a buggy choke, you’re in hassle.
Zellhuber was once given two veteran combatants to do the vintage setup of defeating the notable identify to construct some momentum, however he seemed disappointing and misplaced each instances in opposition to Inexperienced and Michael Johnson.
