Brandon Moreno (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Brando Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja have been respectful towards one another in the past. But, it sounds like tensions could be rising between the two flyweights.

On account of Pantoja’s (24-5) submission win over Brandon Royval in August, the expectation is that the contender will challenge the champ Moreno next. If the bout materializes, it would mark the third time the two have fought.

Pantoja defeated Moreno by decision in 2018, and he also scored a win over the new champ in an exhibition fight for ‘The Ultimate Fighter’. More recently, Moreno spoke with MMA Junkie, and he had this to say about Pantoja’s theory the champ might be afraid to face him again.

“I think this kid is making a big mistake saying I’m scared of him,” Moreno said in Spanish. “I’ve never been afraid. I don’t know if I’m too brave or too stupid, but I’ve never been scared, and much less now that I feel at the best point of my life. I’m 27 years old, and I’ve never felt as good as I feel now.

“I can’t deny the truth. He beat me twice, and I’m not going to be able to shake that off. That’s there, that’s on the record and on the history of my life and career. The only thing I can control is the present and keep advancing and evolving like I’ve done until now. I haven’t received an official offer, but if it’s Alexander Pantoja, he’s making a big mistake saying I’m scared of him because that’s a lie.”

Moreno (19-5-2) won the flyweight belt in June, by submitting Deiveson Figueiredo in the third round.