Moreno, Erceg look to build momentum

Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg will both be chasing momentum when they meet in the flyweight main event of a UFC Fight Night, set for the Arena CDMX in Mexico City on the morning of Sunday 29 March 2025.

Moreno (22-8-2), a former two-time flyweight division champion and the first Mexican to hold a UFC title, claimed a victory in his last trip to the Octagon, overcoming Amir Albazi via unanimous decision in November last year.

The 31-year-old ‘Assassin Baby’ had lost his previous two fights at the hands of Alexandre Pantoja (in which he relinquished the championship) and Brandon Royval, and will be hungry to put together a sequence of results which puts him back in the title picture.

Erceg (12-3) is looking to recover from back-to-back defeats (at the hands of Alexandre Pantoja in a title fight in May 2024, and against Kai Kara-France three months later) and reclaim his status as one of the most dangerous fighters in the flyweight division.

The 29-year-old ‘Astro Boy’ says he is more excited for this match than he was for his title fight against Pantoja last year.

“I’ve said it plenty of times: If I had a dream fight, it would be Moreno,” he explained. “And it’s not just Moreno – it’s Moreno in Mexico. This couldn’t be a bigger event, so I’m very pumped.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited for a fight – even the title. I was obviously excited that I’m fighting for a title and stuff, but you always have those nerves. This fight, it was like, oh man. I don’t know what it is. I’m so pumped for it.”

The Australian added, “My guess is because when I found out I was fighting Pantoja, I’d never fought five rounds. I didn’t know if I could hang at that level, different stuff you’re not sure about.

"Now, I’ve gone five rounds. I was able to hang with the champ. I know I got knocked out in my last fight, but that’s another big fight. I’m slowly accruing experience, and I’m pumped for this one.”

The rest of the main card features a lightweight showdown between Manuel Torres and Drew Dober; Kelvin Gastelum battles Joe Pyfer in a middleweight match; David Martinez and Saimon Oliveira meet in the bantamweight division; as will Paul Rosas Jr and Vince Morales; and Ronaldo Rodriguez takes on fellow flyweight Kevin Borjas.

UFC Fight Night: Moreno v Erceg – Main card

- Main event: Flyweight: Brandon Moreno v Steve Erceg

- Lightweight: Manuel Torres v Drew Dober

- Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum v Joe Pyfer

- Bantamweight: Paul Rosas Jr v Vince Morales

- Bantamweight: David Martinez v Saimon Oliveira

- Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodriguez v Kevin Borjas