Moreno Admits He Became Own Worst Enemy During Skid

Brandon Moreno has spent recent months battling himself more than his opponents.

The former two-time UFC flyweight champion faces Joseph Morales in the co-main event of Noche UFC 4 on Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, carrying a two-fight losing streak that forced him to rethink his approach. Moreno absorbed his first career stoppage against Tatsuro Taira before dropping a decision to short-notice replacement Lone'er Kavanagh, losses that looked different from his earlier setbacks because he never found his rhythm in either bout.

That stretch triggered what Moreno described as serious self-examination. "I think it's more about the perspective of my mentality," he told UFC.com, per MMA Mania. "It's a really common problem in this sport. Sometimes, you are your own worst enemy."

Moreno Joins Syndicate MMA For Fresh Perspective

The 32-year-old Mexican moved his camp to Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas and brought in head coach John Wood while keeping his longtime team involved. Moreno said the new environment and another experienced voice should help him rediscover the form that twice earned him a flyweight title. He returns to the same arena where he submitted Deiveson Figueiredo in June 2021 to become the promotion's first Mexican-born champion, now fighting to hold his spot in the rankings against a hungry opponent who also clawed his way back to the roster after an earlier release.

Moreno acknowledged the stakes plainly. "I understand my position, right?" he said. "I'm trying to defend my spot in the rankings and in the company, while Joseph Morales is going to be super motivated to take my position." He added that he prepared well and made changes to prove the internal work translated to the cage. First bell is Saturday night in Glendale.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Noche UFC’s Brandon Moreno admits becoming his ‘own worst enemy’ during losing streak – ‘I understand my position’