“The Assassin Baby” has spent the last several months fighting with himself.
Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight champion Brandon Moreno tries to protect his place in the ranking against Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 33 Winner Joseph Morales at the joint main event of the year UFC 4 night this weekend (Saturday, September 12, 2026) at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
For the third time in his UFC career, Moreno enters the fight on a two-fight losing streak. This slide feels different though.
Moreno stopped for the first time in his professional career Tatsuro Taira (watch the highlights) before being completely out of class by Lonely Kavanaghwho accepted their fight on short notice.
Of course, both losses came against elite Flyweight prospects. However, Moreno has a history of staying competitive even in a loss, and that just hasn’t been the case in his last two appearances.
This forced “The Assassin Baby” to do some serious soul searching.
“I think it has more to do with my mentality perspective,” Moreno told UFC.com. “It’s a very common problem in this sport. Sometimes you’re your own worst enemy. I don’t want to make excuses for my past losses, but I’ve been working hard. I’ve been working on myself, working on my mindset and mentality. Obviously, you have to show it in the middle of a fight, and that’s my goal: to show how much I’ve improved in the last couple of months.”
The job also prompted Moreno to make significant changes to his training camp.
The 32-year-old joined forces with Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, adding a longtime head coach. John Wood to his team. Moreno keeps his long-time coaches very involved, but he hopes the fresh environment and another experienced voice in his corner will help him rediscover his best form.
Moreno also draws motivation from returning to a building that holds a special place in his career.
The Desert Diamond Arena – then known as the Gila River Arena – hosted UFC 263 in June 2021 when Moreno submitted. Deiveson Figueiredo to capture his first flyweight title and become the UFC’s first champion of Mexican descent.
Five years later, Moreno returns to the same spot and fights to prove he still belongs among the division’s elite.
Morales may not carry the same name recognition as Moreno’s recent opponents, but the former champion understands exactly how dangerous a hungry fighter can be. In fact, Moreno sees a part of himself in Morales, as both men were released by the UFC and forced to fight their way back into the promotion.
“When you come to the UFC, you know every opponent is extremely tough,” Moreno said. “I understand my position, right? I’m trying to defend my place in the rankings and in the company, while Joseph Morales is super motivated to take my position.”
“But hey man, I prepared really well for this fight, I made some changes to my game and I’m going to do everything I can to show it.”
Moreno’s first Noche UFC appearance gives him a chance to snap his losing streak in front of a passionate Mexican fan base while returning to the arena where he rose to the pinnacle of the sport.
Morales faces him on Saturday night, but Moreno says the most important battle has been against himself.
Now he has to prove that he won.
Click the button for the latest Noche UFC 4 fight card and rumors here.
