Brandon Moreno secured a unanimous decision victory over Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico, maintaining his position in the flyweight title contention despite challenges in securing another title shot against Pantoja, while discussions around fighters like Steve Erceg and Manuel Torres focus on their future trajectories within the UFC.
UFC Mexico is in the books, and Brandon Moreno remains a strong contender in the flyweight title picture.
This past Saturday, Moreno secured his first win in Mexico City by defeating Steve Erceg via unanimous decision. He’s staying in the hunt for the 125-pound title. So, where does Moreno go from here? And what about Erceg and the rest of the card? Let’s dive into your questions this week.
Brandon Moreno
Brandon Moreno, 31 years young, still one of the top three flyweights on the planet. He arguably beat the champ last time… what does the UFC do with this guy???
— Alexander K Lee (@AlexanderKLee)
“Brandon Moreno, 31 years young, pretty clearly still one of the three best flyweights on the planet, arguably beat the champ last time… what does the UFC do with this guy???”
Honestly, no idea.
Moreno looked sharp on Saturday, handing Erceg his third consecutive loss and extending his own win streak to two. But what exactly does that mean? I know Moreno’s pushing for another shot at Pantoja, but frankly, I doubt that’s happening. Not saying it’s impossible—UFC 320 being Noche UFC and in Mexico means anything’s possible—but I’d be surprised.
There are two major hurdles for a Moreno title shot. First off, he’s 0-3 against Pantoja. Sure, two of those fights were ages ago, but 0-3 is still 0-3. To get another crack at the champion right now, Moreno needs to be undeniable, and frankly, he’s not there yet. Some folks may not like it, but Brandon Royval beat Moreno not too long ago and should be next in line. More importantly, Manel Kape seems to be up next for Pantoja sometime later this year.
But what if he isn’t? What if there’s a third option nobody’s considering? What if Pantoja moves up?
Right now, Pantoja has basically cleaned out 125. He’s got multiple wins over the No. 1 and No. 2 guys and victories over the No. 4 and No. 6 contenders who are probably the most obvious title challengers. What’s left for him to do? Especially with his friend and training partner Kyoji Horiguchi returning to the UFC. People are buzzing about them fighting; maybe they would do that or perhaps Pantoja aims for something bigger.
I reckon we’ll see Pantoja face Manel Kape in the coming months before moving up to 135 to challenge Merab Dvalishvili, who also lacks fresh title challengers. That opens up a chance for the UFC to have Moreno and Royval battle it out for an interim title at UFC 320 in September.
Steve Erceg AKA “Vinnie Cigs”
Is it time we acknowledge Vinnie Ciggs as a good fighter but not a great one? Can we go back to giving him fun matches in the 10-30 range? He’s been thrown into deep waters against elites; why not give him 4/5 fights back down in winnable range?
— Jordan van wyck (@VanVanwyck1)
“Is it time we recognize Vinnie Ciggs as a good fighter but not a great one? Can we go back to giving him fun matches in the 10-30 range? He’s been thrown into deep waters against elites; why not give him 4/5 fights back down in winnable range.”
Nope. Not at all. Erceg’s a victim of his own success; we shouldn’t penalize him for that.
Sure, Steve Erceg is on a three-fight losing streak now. But those losses came against three of the top five fighters in his weight class during his fourth, fifth, and sixth UFC bouts respectively. That’s not a sign that Erceg is mediocre; it’s evidence that he’s damn good.
Erceg is only 29 years old and has been fighting professionally for nine years. When he signed with the UFC, no one expected him to climb this fast. Instead, he shot up because there was an opening—you don’t turn down those opportunities! While he lost to Pantoja, he put up a solid fight. “Good but not great” fighters don’t push one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world to their limits for 25 minutes.
Criticizing Erceg for these losses is like knocking LeBron James for losing in finals appearances—the man reached eight consecutive finals! That’s bananas! What Erceg achieved isn’t nearly as cool but still impressive and should be applauded.
That said—a step back down would be welcome.
Steve Erceg continued
What does UFC do with Vinnie Cigs next? He’s lost three straight but against arguably three best flyweights on roster.
— Adam Hutchison (@Adamhutchison8)
“What does UFC do with Vinnie Cigs next? He’s lost three straight but against arguably three best flyweights on roster.”
As mentioned above—a step back feels appropriate now. I think Erceg could find success against other top-10 opponents; however I’ve long believed top-15 fighters must defend their position against rising talent so everyone gets fair shot at breaking through competition ranks!
I’d personally love seeing either Joshua Van or Ramazan Temirov take aim at grabbing Erceg’s spot from him!
Manuel Torres
Is Manuel Torres future champion?
— Daniel Pompilio (@elpompilio) March 30th2025
“Is Manuel Torres future champion?”
Of my heart maybe but no—not of UFC .
If you didn’t see it—Torres nearly killed Drew Dober Saturday(with assist referee Mike Beltran). The win moved Torres record promotion four -one got people really excited—they should pump breaks though!
Torres undeniably fun(he earned Performance bonus each wins while Ignacio Bahamondes got one Torres lone loss)but isn’t exactly beating world-beaters either . Drew Dober great action fighter grayer side cooked this point . Moreover , Torres thirty lightweight impossible division climb ranks within . Simply too old ever make belt even could place .
But doesn’t mean can’t love “El Loco” should! Guys like Torres guaranteed good time every time fight—with crop similar talents around him —Bahamondes Benoit Saint-Denis Joel Alvarez Mauricio Ruffy—we should looking some damn fine matchups155 over next few years .
< Strong > Ronaldo Rodriguez
do think lazy boy got fraud checked ?
— brain(@braiiinnnnn)March30th2025
“Do think Lazy Boy got fraud checked?”
No mainly because never very high Rodriguez first place .
“Lazy Boy” wasn’t fighter massively high when promotion signed reasons showed themselves Saturday . Doesn’t greatest fight I.Q while obviously talent—it’s otherworldly . Add weight miss UFC Mexico disaster Rodriguez .
Now Rodriguez only twenty-five years old massively popular so helps long-term outlook . If refocus drill down maybe “Lazy Boy” becomes something125 pounds better hurry though ! Flyweight getting better every day huge crop super young talented125’ers already rise ahead Rodriguez is .
All-Time Greats
Who think verge being all-time greats ? Does another good ufc run make kyoji top forty fighter ever ? Does getting three Title Defenses make merab top twenty-five ? Is islam two wins away from being goat convo ?
— Dylan Barth(@dylaneb11)March30th2025
“Who think verge being all-time greats ? Does another good ufc run make kyoji top forty fighter ever ? Does getting three Title Defenses make merab top twenty-five ? Is islam two wins away from being goat convo ?”
I think viewing fighters all-time greats much better way look things than debating GOAT status really like question !
First off let clear this up : Islam Makhachev already GOAT conversation . Arguably greatest lightweight ever lightweight best division discussion . Two more title defenses makes undeniably GOAT lightweight really convo !
Now other matter : if sit down list out All Time Great Club probably somewhere between twenty-five fifty members estimation eleven currently active fighters qualify(twelve count Jon Jones)—Makhachev Alexandre Pantoja Jose Aldo Alexander Volkanovski Max Holloway Charles Oliveira Kamaru Usman Israel Adesanya Alex Pereira Zhang Weili Valentina Shevchenko Jones cannot denied point may few join soon !
If betting money wager before careers done Merab Dvalishvili Ilia Topuria Dricus du Plessis Tom Aspinall all find way ATG club course plenty others might get simply too soon tell!
Thanks reading thanks everyone sent tweets(Xs ?) Do have any burning questions about things least somewhat related combat sports Then luck because send tweets me @JedKMeshew I will answer all good ones ! Doesn’t matter topical insane just long good Thanks again see y’all next week .