UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg – A Night to Remember in Mexico City

UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg – A Night to Remember in Mexico City

The atmosphere at Arena CDMX was electric on Saturday, March 29, 2025, as UFC on ESPN delivered a historic event in Mexico City. The night was headlined by the ever-popular Brandon “The Assassin Baby” Moreno, who finally broke the long-standing “maldición” of not winning in front of his home crowd. Alongside his stellar performance, fans were treated to a bout-by-bout showcase of top-tier matchups and an exclusive limited edition merch collaboration with Represent.

Brandon Moreno: Overcoming the Curse

Brandon Moreno’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Despite an illustrious career and being the first Mexican-born UFC champion, Moreno had struggled to secure a win on home soil—losing or drawing in his previous three outings in Mexico. However, Saturday night marked a turning point. In a five-round war, Moreno outclassed rising Australian star Steve Erceg via unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the contest 49-46 in his favor. Moreno’s performance not only silenced doubters but also ignited hopes for another title opportunity and a potential future headlining of the celebrated Noche UFC event in Guadalajara.

Bout-by-Bout Breakdown

Main Card

  • Flyweight: Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg
    Moreno displayed masterful control and impactful striking throughout the five rounds. Despite Erceg landing more total strikes, Moreno’s significant blows and a crucial takedown in the later rounds secured him a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).

  • Lightweight: Manuel Torres vs. Drew Dober
    In a stunning first-round display, Torres unleashed a barrage of hammer fists to knock out the veteran Dober at 1:45, earning him a well-deserved Performance of the Night bonus.

  • Flyweight: Edgar Chairez vs. C.J. Vergara
    Chairez secured a quick win with a slick face crank submission at 2:30 of round one, demonstrating technical proficiency and aggression.

  • Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Vince Morales
    The UFC’s youngest sensation, Raul Rosas Jr., maintained his momentum by outpointing Morales over three rounds via unanimous decision.  A much closer bout than the scorecards show, Morales had Rosas Jr. in tight submissions in rounds 2 & 3.  Rosas dominant in wrestling and scramble exchanges, and showed some improved striking.

  • Bantamweight: David Martinez vs. Saimon Oliveira
    Martinez showcased a dominant performance, finishing Oliveira with a combination of knees and punches at 4:38 of the first round.

  • Flyweight: Kevin Borjas vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez
    After a bout marked by Rodriguez’s weight miss, Borjas earned a unanimous decision victory over three rounds with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

Preliminary Card

  • Middleweight: Ateba Gautier vs. Jose Daniel Medina
    Gautier made a striking statement with a first-round knockout via a perfectly timed knee and punch combination at 3:32.

  • Featherweight: Melquizael Costa vs. Christian Rodriguez
    In a technical showcase, Costa secured a unanimous decision win over three rounds, with all judges scoring the bout 29-28 in his favor.

  • Strawweight: Loopy Godinez vs. Julia Polastri
    In an exhilarating back-and-forth battle, Godinez emerged victorious by unanimous decision, reviving her career momentum with a strong performance.

  • Lightweight: Rafa Garcia vs. Vinc Pichel
    Garcia outworked Pichel over three rounds, earning a unanimous decision win that underscored his technical and strategic growth.

  • Featherweight: Jamall Emmers vs. Gabriel Miranda
    Emmers delivered a brutal first-round knockout via a body knee and follow-up punches at 4:06, leaving the crowd in awe.

  • Lightweight: MarQuel Mederos vs. Austin Hubbard
    In a closely contested bout, Mederos edged out Hubbard via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28), proving his resilience and determination.

Limited Edition Merch: Represent x Brandon Moreno

In tandem with the high-octane fights, the event also celebrated a creative collaboration between UFC superstar Brandon Moreno and streetwear brand Represent. This limited edition merch collection is more than just apparel—it’s a wearable narrative that captures Moreno’s fighting spirit and artistic vision. Featuring bold, anime-inspired graphics personally curated by Moreno, the collection includes premium heavy tees, hoodies, and exclusive caps that echo the energy of the night. For fans looking to commemorate this landmark event, the Represent x Brandon Moreno collection is a must-have, symbolizing both the art and legacy of a fighter who continues to defy expectations.

Final Thoughts

UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg proved to be an unforgettable night for the fans in Mexico City. Brandon Moreno’s triumphant victory not only solidifies his status as one of the top flyweights in the division but also marks a historic moment in his career—finally celebrating a win on home turf. With explosive finishes across the card and standout performances earning multiple $50K bonuses, the event delivered everything MMA enthusiasts could ask for.

As the UFC continues to expand its footprint in Latin America, fans can look forward to more exhilarating matchups and exclusive merchandise drops. And with whispers of Moreno headlining future marquee events like Noche UFC in Guadalajara, the excitement is far from over.

Stay tuned for more updates and don’t forget to check out the limited edition Represent x Brandon Moreno collection to wear a piece of this historic night.

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