TLDR
- Brandon Moreno will make his first Noche UFC appearance on September 12 against Joseph Morales
- The former flyweight champion missed the first three Noche UFC events due to scheduling conflicts and minor injuries
- Moreno is coming off back-to-back losses to Tatsuro Taira and Lone’er Kavanagh
- A third straight loss would be the first three-fight losing streak of his career
- Moreno says he’s still enjoying training and focused on the present rather than worrying about his recent results
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com | timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will finally compete at Noche UFC after missing the first three editions of the event celebrating Mexican Independence Day. The Tijuana native faces Joseph Morales on September 12 in Glendale, Arizona, in the co-main event.
Moreno, 32, is Mexico’s first homegrown UFC champion. Despite his status as one of the greatest Mexican fighters in UFC history, bad timing and minor injuries kept him out of previous Noche UFC cards.
“For one or another reason, I wasn’t able to fight in the last Noches,” Moreno told MMA Junkie. “But finally we made it, so I’m super excited for that.”
Moreno made the event a priority in 2026. He told his manager and the UFC to offer him any fight as long as it was at Noche UFC.
Facing an Opponent With a Similar Story
Moreno will face Joseph Morales, who has a career path similar to his own. Both fighters were released from the UFC and had to earn their way back into the promotion.
Morales won The Ultimate Fighter to return to the UFC. He has since won his first two fights back, bringing his UFC record to 3-2 overall.
🚨Gringo’s Deportation of the week🚨
7-1✅This week we’re DEPORTING Brandon Moreno.
Washed. Mentally retired. Doesn’t want it and hasn’t for a minute. Joseph Morales is about to embarrass what’s left of the former champ and ship him out. #UFCNoche pic.twitter.com/FnCn4XA119 https://t.co/t0f8RWaX0D
— gringocaliente (@gringo1caliente) September 6, 2026
“Joseph Morales has an interesting history, because he has a similar history to me,” Moreno said. “He was in the UFC then he got released, and he had to get some victories. He won ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ he came back, right now he’s 2-0, so he’s super dangerous because he’s motivated.”
Moreno believes Morales will be especially dangerous because he wants to prove he belongs on the big stage. The former champion said he has prepared himself and is aware of the challenge ahead.
The fight takes Moreno back to Glendale, where he first won the flyweight championship at UFC 263. That victory marked one of the biggest moments of his career.
Staying Positive After Recent Losses
Moreno enters Noche UFC on a two-fight losing streak. He lost to Tatsuro Taira in December and Lone’er Kavanagh in February.
A third straight loss would be the first three-fight skid of his career. Despite the pressure, Moreno says he’s not worried about what another loss could mean.
“I just want to win, brother,” Moreno said. “I’m fighting because I still feel super good at the gym, feel super good in my practices, my sparring looks super sharp.”
Moreno pointed out that every UFC card has one fighter coming off a win and one coming off a loss. He acknowledged he’s been on the wrong side in his last two performances.
The former champion said he’s still enjoying the sport. He wakes up every morning excited to train and prepare for fights.
“I’m still enjoying this. I’m still enjoying the game, enjoying waking up every morning to prepare myself to go to the gym, and that’s it,” Moreno said. “I’m super focused on the present.”
Moreno’s UFC record currently stands at 11-7-2 with an overall record of 23-10-2. He has been a four-time flyweight champion during his UFC career.
Morales enters the fight with a 14-2 overall record and a 3-2 UFC record. He has won his last two fights since returning to the promotion.
