Brandon Moreno Tops Morales in Split Decision at Noche UFC

Brandon Moreno defeated Joseph Morales by split decision at Noche UFC, then declared himself the top flyweight in the world regardless of who holds the belt.

"I'm just throwing a statement like, I'm the best flyweight in the world. If you believe in that or not I don't care, that's not my problem," Moreno said at his post-fight scrum. "I have to believe in myself, and I have to believe I'm the best f*cking flyweight of the world."

Moreno, a former UFC flyweight champion, got the win in front of a raucous Mexican crowd in Arizona, an atmosphere he compared directly to the night he first won the title.

"Tonight was amazing. Was the same as 2021 when I won the title. This time, again, all the people supporting me every single time. Screaming my name. The only thing I can say is thank you," Moreno said. "Thank you because I feel the love tonight."

How Did the Judges Score Moreno vs. Morales?

One judge scored the fight for Morales, and Moreno admitted that briefly rattled him given his track record in close fights. "I have really bad experience with decisions," he said. "In this one I finish and I felt super confident I got the victory, but then the judge say 29-28 to Morales. I was like, 'What the f*****ck?'. Then the other judges say 30-27, and (I was like) ok now I feel more confident. Yeah man, I was a little scared."

That reaction lines up with how the fight actually played out on the cards, a split decision in which two judges sided heavily with Moreno while one had it going the other way. Moreno said he entered the scoring wait with real doubt, a byproduct of having been on the wrong end of tight decisions before in his career.

Betting Angle

A one-judge swing against Moreno matters for anyone betting flyweight futures or Moreno's next line. Bookmakers price him as a live threat to reclaim UFC gold whenever he's active, but a card like this, close enough that one judge gave it to Morales, is a reminder that Moreno's fights at 125 pounds rarely come easy on paper even when he controls the pace. Expect oddsmakers to keep him a solid favorite in most flyweight matchups, but not a lock, given how competitive his recent scraps have been. Anyone backing him by knockout or finish props should note this one went the full three rounds and was decided by the judges, not a stoppage.

Moreno made clear his sights are set on the top of the division no matter who's currently holding UFC gold, and a win in front of a home crowd at Noche UFC only reinforces the case he's building for another title opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the fight between Brandon Moreno and Joseph Morales at Noche UFC?

Brandon Moreno defeated Joseph Morales by split decision in the co-main event of Noche UFC.

Was the Moreno vs. Morales decision controversial?

One judge scored the bout for Joseph Morales while the other two favored Brandon Moreno, making it a split decision that Moreno himself said briefly worried him.

What did Brandon Moreno say after beating Joseph Morales?

Brandon Moreno said he believes he is the best flyweight in the world, with or without a title, and thanked the Mexican crowd for their support at Noche UFC.