Nothing is new for Brandon Moreno.
For the first time in four years, the former UFC Flyweight Champion was scheduled to face a new name that he hasn't fought yet: Amir Albazi. Unfortunately for Moreno, Albazi withdrew from their Mexico City headliner just weeks ago.
Former foe Brandon Royval fills in on short notice to fight Moreno in a chance to avenge his TKO loss from 2020. Rematches seem to be a recurring theme for 'The Assassin Baby' who has been stuck fighting Alexandre Pantoja, Deveison Figueiredo, Kai Kara-France, each 2-4 times.
Now it's Royval's turn to run it back, this time on Moreno's home soil.
"I was excited to fight against Amir because if you watch my career in the last three years, I've been fighting with the same guys," Moreno told TMZ Sports. "So, that is kind of boring, but at the end, it is what it is.
"I just wanna win my next fight and go for the title again. Man, that means I'm gonna fight against the same guy, against Alexandre Pantoja... So, man, I just, I have to be very positive. I just have to put my main focus in my next fight. I understand Royval is very dangerous and I, and I know he's very motivated to beat me. So, hey, I'll be prepared for that."
Speaking of Pantoja, the current champion has beat Moreno a total of three times. But, that won't stop the Mexican from making another go at the world championship against the fighter who took his title.
"100%. That's my goal," Moreno said of a potential rematch with Pantoja. "It's hard to talk about Pantoja because he beat me three times in the past, you know? I understand that. But, I don't know, man. I'm crazy. I just feel motivated and I know I'm the best of the world. Just, I have to fix some mistakes. I feel very frustrated because my two title defenses I lost, but looks like that's my journey. Looks like that's my way and I have to embrace it. I keep going and that's it."
Whether he's tired of fighting the same-old opponents or not, Moreno is eager to please his home crowd in Mexico City.
"I'm very excited more because I feel a little bit frustrated," Moreno added. "The first time I lost in 2017 and the second time I fought in Mexico City, the judges gave me the draw. I just wanna win in front of my people."
Tijuana's Brandon Moreno hasn't won on home soil for about 12 years now. He'll look to change that on Feb. 24.
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