Former two-time males’s flyweight champion Brandon Moreno makes his first Octagon look of 2025, as he is taking on Steve Erceg at UFC Battle Evening at Mexico Town Area on Saturday night time (7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, with prelims at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+).
Moreno, No. 3 in ESPN’s divisional scores, misplaced the name to Alexandre Pantoja in July 2023. He then misplaced to Brandon Royval the next February however ended the skid in November, beating Amir Albazi by way of unanimous determination. Erceg, ESPN’s No. 7-ranked flyweight, enters the combat on a two-fight shedding streak that features a loss to Pantoja in a name problem closing Might at UFC 301.
Brett Okamoto spoke to Syndicate MMA trainer John Picket to get his viewpoint at the UFC primary tournament. ESPN having a bet skilled Ian Parker provides perception and research at the primary tournament and different intriguing bets he likes at the card.
Editor’s notice: Responses were edited for brevity and readability.
Males’s flyweight: Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg
John Picket, Syndicate MMA trainer
How Moreno wins: He is appeared extra composed in his previous couple of fights, much less prepared to brawl. He nonetheless will get it performed with drive and tempo. He is just right at dressed in guys down. I might like to look him combine in a couple of takedowns, which will even put on on Erceg’s fuel tank, particularly down the stretch. Erceg has just right placing — he is bad if he can catch you — so blending in some wrestling and grappling drive is at all times sensible.
How Erceg wins: Keep away from lengthy placing exchanges with Moreno and pay attention to pinpoint counterpunches. Moreno can nonetheless get wild from time to time, so catching him early within the combat and hurting him can be Erceg’s absolute best technique to win. That mentioned, Erceg must be first within the placing exchanges, take the combat to Moreno. If counterpunchers simply look ahead to the easiest opening to have interaction, that is how they may be able to give away rounds and provides away a combat. Erceg wishes to guide the dance and get started the assault on Moreno. Center of attention on making Moreno omit and countering him with the ones large photographs.
X issue: Altitude. Mexico Town is understood for generating tough-to-watch fights, as a result of everybody will get so drained. Making an allowance for Moreno’s aerobic and drive, that simplest makes it a larger issue.
Prediction: Moreno to win by way of determination.
Having a bet research
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Parker: Moreno to win (-245); over 2.5 rounds. Moreno had a flawless efficiency in opposition to Albazi, appearing that the previous champ remains to be in a position to competing for a name. Moreno, who’s from Mexico, can be preventing in his house nation, and his improbable aerobic and super output may just make it an extended night time for Erceg if the Aussie is not acclimated to the elevation.
At the ft, Erceg has an influence benefit, however coming off back-to-back losses, I do not see him getting the most efficient of Moreno, particularly on this setting. Moreno is lately a heavy favourite and rightfully so. Alternatively, to recover odds, upload over 2.5 rounds. I be expecting this combat to achieve Spherical 4.
Parker’s absolute best bets on the remainder of the cardboard
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Joe Pyfer sends Marc-Andre Barriault to the canvas with first-round KO
Joe Pyfer celebrates along with his workforce after a violent knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303.
Light-weight: Manuel Torres vs. Drew Dober
Dober to win (-110). Be expecting natural fireworks when Dober and Torres meet within the heart of the Octagon. Despite the fact that Dober is driving a two-fight shedding streak, I really like him in opposition to the chance in Torres, who’s coming off the primary TKO lack of his occupation. Dober has noticed all of it, so not anything that Torres throws at him must be a marvel. This may increasingly come all the way down to who has the easier chin and sturdiness, and according to what now we have noticed thus far, that is Dober.
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer
Pyfer to win (-310). Gastelum appeared as just right as ever in his fresh win over Daniel Rodriguez. For Gastelum to tug off the disillusioned, he must faucet into what made him a hit early in his occupation — his wrestling. If he cannot put Pyfer on his again and remove his energy, he’s going to be in bother. Search for Pyfer to protect the early takedown makes an attempt and use his achieve benefit to stay Gastelum at vary. This must be a exhibit combat for Pyfer. It would not marvel me if Pyfer lands a large punch and places Gastelum’s lighting fixtures out.
Middleweight: Jose Daniel Medina vs. Ateba Gautier
Over 1.5 rounds (-170). Gautier has an 83% end charge, with 5 of his six wins coming by the use of knockout. And he displayed each little bit of that energy on “Dana White’s Contender Collection.” He’s going to now make his UFC debut in opposition to in all probability essentially the most sturdy fighter at the UFC’s roster. Medina has a limiteless fuel tank, permitting him to make what are meant to be lopsided fights into aggressive bouts, and that is the reason what I be expecting right here. Gautier is lately a just about 4-to-1 favourite, however I am leaning towards the revel in and sturdiness of Medina. So let’s take the over 1.5 rounds right here. However we’re going to be maintaining our breath for a bit of, as Gautier throws each punch with dangerous intentions. Additionally, Gautier has now not fought at elevation and might fuel himself looking to end Medina early within the combat.
