Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will bring his brief layoff to an end in the "Great White North" later this year.
The changes keep on coming for the promotion's return to Edmonton in Canada on November 2. When the card was originally announced, a flyweight showdown between Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield was set as the main event, with heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Alexandr Romanov co-headlining.
But after the latter of those bouts was split in two to create fresh matchups, the UFC Fight Night in Alberta now has a new headline pairing.
UFC CEO Dana White revealed in a social media video this week that Mexico's Moreno (21-8-2) will make his return in the main event for a rearranged clash against rising contender Amir Albazi (17-1).
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Moreno Looks To End Losing Skid, Albazi's Perfect UFC Record
When he makes the walk this November, Moreno will be looking to break his first losing skid since 2018.
"The Assassin Baby" enjoyed a strong start to 2023, regaining the flyweight gold from longtime rival Deiveson Figueiredo six months on from an interim title win over Kai Kara-France. But as was the case with his first reign, Moreno fell short in his attempt at recording a successful defense, with Alexandre Pantoja emerging victorious from their Fight of the Year war at UFC 290.
The Mexican return this past February for an appearance on home soil, where he was scheduled to do battle with Albazi. But after an injury forced the Iraqi out, Moreno fell on the wrong side of a narrow split decision against replacement opponent Brandon Royval.
While he announced plans to take an extended period away from the cage to recharge, Moreno will be back in action just nine months later, looking for his matchup with Albazi to make it to the cage at the second time of trying.
For "The Prince," the Nov. 2 headliner marks the opportunity for him to stake his claim for a first shot at title glory on MMA's biggest stage. The former Brave CF standout has gone 5-0 in the Octagon thus far, most recently outpointing Kara-France in a tight five-round main event at the Apex in June 2023.
With this addition, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC Fight Night Edmonton on Nov. 2 are as follows:
- Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi (flyweight main event)
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas (women’s flyweight co-main event)
- Derrick Lewis vs. Jhonata Diniz (heavyweight)
- Pedro Munhoz vs. Aiemann Zahabi (bantamweight)
- Ariane da Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (women’s flyweight)
- Mike Malott vs. Trevin Giles (welterweight)
- Marc-André Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (middleweight)
- Serhiy Sidey vs. Garrett Armfield (bantamweight)
- Alexandr Romanov vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (heavyweight)
- Chad Anheliger vs. Cody Gibson (bantamweight)
- Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Ivana Petrović (women’s flyweight)
- Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro (light heavyweight)
