UFC Mexico: Who Earns Title Shot – Moreno, Ortega, Yair, Royval?
The Main and Co-main Event of UFC Mexico Is Talent-Stacked, but Who’s the Most Likely to Earn a Title Opportunity?
Mexico Stand Up, It’s Your Time to Shine 🌮
Live from the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, the Ultimate Fighting Championship makes its long-awaited return across the border, and a plethora of Mexican MMA talent is scheduled to compete.
All the Mexican fighters on the #UFCMexico card gather for a photo 🇲🇽
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 21, 2024
The world’s No.1 mixed martial arts promotion, spearheaded by Dana White, couldn’t have arrived in Mexico at a greater time as the country just opened its first UFC PI (Performance Institute) as both Central and South American talent continue to receive a huge boost in the sport!
This has been a dream and goal of mine since 2001. To finally be here and walk the halls of the @ufc Performance Institute in Mexico City is a monumental moment in the history of our sport. The impact this facility will have on Mexico, as well as, both Central and South America… pic.twitter.com/DZyhLikXkA
— danawhite (@danawhite) February 23, 2024
However, before Mexico and neighboring countries look to evolve their future in MMA, we cannot ignore the present talents residing on the roster, and two of the company’s best will be in action this Saturday.
Top-Tier Talent at UFC Mexico City
UFC Mexico City is dominating the UFC news headlines right now, and… rightfully so! Former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno looks to put on a show for his home nation in a 2020 rematch with Brandon Royval, and the implications of this bout could be significant for the 125-pound weight class.
Ready to headline this #UFCMexico main event 🇲🇽
Brandon Moreno hits the scale at 126 pounds! pic.twitter.com/o1U7tnUQVC
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2024
Before the main event festivities, however, another hometown favorite, Yair Rodriguez, will look to spill blood on the canvas when he resumes octagon warfare with a familiar opponent in Brian Ortega. The initial meeting delivered fireworks for as long as it lasted, and we shouldn’t expect anything less this weekend.
Since Ilia Topuria has just opened up the 145-pound division by dethroning Alexander Volkanovski, a clear and dominant victor between Yair and “T-City” could ultimately result in the next in line to face the newly crowned champ in his first title defense.
UFC Gold: Moreno or Rodriguez?
This isn’t a bias towards the Mexican fighters because of Saturday’s location. Still, I genuinely believe Moreno and Rodriguez, the two representatives of Mexico in the main and co-main event, are rightful betting favorites and have a great chance of success.
Naturally, the UFC rumors are in full force, and the MMA community is contemplating whether the flyweight or featherweight winners of UFC Mexico’s five-round, top-of-the-bill contests will be next in line for a title opportunity.
Moreno 🇲🇽 vs Pantoja 🇧🇷
Last time we seen Moreno in the octagon it was in a fight of the year contender.
How did y’all score this fight? pic.twitter.com/NDT7Msil0f
— Kenny Okoye🇳🇬 (@TruthfulUfcFan) February 22, 2024
If we’re going on rankings, and should he be victorious, Moreno is undoubtedly the leading candidate. He lost the championship via an incredibly close split decision. Although it feels like Moreno and rematches are all too common, an instant bounce back against a top-ranked opponent certainly warrants a chance to run it back with Pantoja for the flyweight strap.
In contrast, should Yair Rodriguez win, I can’t envision the UFC throwing him straight back into the deep end after Volkanovski finished him via strikes in his most recent bout. That said, we’ve witnessed stranger matchmaking, and he is calling for Topuria’s head on socials.
Yair Rodriguez says it’s on sight with Ilia Topuria. 😤 pic.twitter.com/6aB3HuUEMO
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 22, 2024
Whatever the outcome of UFC Mexico, whether title opportunities are gifted or not, the landscape of the Ultimate Fighting Championship as of 2024 is shaping up nicely, and this weekend’s conflicts are guaranteed to continue pumping intrigue into the sport we live and breathe!
Enjoy the hostilities, my friends.
Author: Sin City Sniper
Author: Sin City SniperBusting bookmakers and taking their money is his greatest joy in life. He’s been around the block more than once, knows the players both on and off the field of battle, and uses his experience to serve the bookies a heaping plate of humble pie washed down by a warm glass of their salty tears. You can find him in any number of Vegas books, sniping weak lines and getting paid to do it.
The opinions and view here expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Point Spreads or any of its affiliates. Point Spreads is not responsible and does not verify for accuracy any of the articles and content pieces included herein; moreover, besides being solely the opinion or views of the authors, these content pieces are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone or anything.
