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Brandon Moreno Captures UFC Flyweight Title in Edmonton

Moreno's 13-Fight Unbeaten Streak Ends Namajunas' Reign

In a stunning upset, Brandon Moreno captured the UFC flyweight championship from Rose Namajunas in Edmonton on Saturday night. Moreno, a heavy underdog heading into the fight, used his superior grappling skills to control Namajunas on the ground and eventually submit her with a rear-naked choke in the second round.

The victory extends Moreno's unbeaten streak to 13 fights and marks the first time he has won a UFC title. Namajunas, meanwhile, sees her two-year reign as champion come to an end.

Moreno's Path to the Title

Moreno's journey to the UFC title began in 2016, when he joined the promotion as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions. He won the tournament and earned a contract with the UFC.

Moreno quickly established himself as a contender in the flyweight division, winning his first four UFC fights. In 2019, he challenged Namajunas for the championship but lost via unanimous decision.

Moreno bounced back from the loss with three straight wins, including a victory over former champion Deiveson Figueiredo. This earned him another shot at the title, which he capitalized on with a dominant performance against Namajunas.

Namajunas' Reign Comes to an End

Namajunas had been a dominant champion since winning the title in 2019. She successfully defended her belt twice, including a rematch against Zhang Weili.

However, Namajunas was unable to overcome Moreno's grappling skills. Moreno took her down early in the second round and quickly secured a rear-naked choke. Namajunas attempted to escape but was forced to tap out.

The loss is a setback for Namajunas, but she is still one of the top fighters in the flyweight division. She will likely get another shot at the title in the future.

What's Next for Moreno and Namajunas?

Moreno's next fight will likely be against Figueiredo, who is the No. 1 contender in the flyweight division. Figueiredo has been calling out Moreno for a rematch ever since losing to him in 2021.

Namajunas' next fight is less clear. She could rematch Moreno or she could face another top contender such as Valentina Shevchenko or Amanda Nunes.

Regardless of what happens next, Moreno's victory is a major upset and a reminder that anything can happen in the UFC.