UFC former flyweight king, no2 ranked, Brandon Moreno previews his headline fight with no8 ranked Steve Erceg
Brandon Moreno (22-8-2, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) seeks a dominant victory over Erceg to pave his path back to UFC gold
Former UFC flyweight champion and No. 2 ranked contender
11 wins by submission, five via knockout
Eight first-round finishes
Brandon Moreno (22-8-2, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) seeks a dominant victory over Erceg to pave his path back to UFC gold
Former UFC flyweight champion and No. 2 ranked contender
11 wins by submission, five via knockout
Eight first-round finishes
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:30First of all, we just saw you eating something. Was that a dessert?
00:53Yeah, I mean, it's from the PI. I don't know how they make it, but it was like a cheesecake.
00:58Cheesecake? Delicious, brother. Right now, in Fight Week, that is like money, like gold.
01:02Yeah, that's a rare sighting for Fight Week, right? A cheesecake. So I'm guessing weight is good?
01:08Obviously, this is special. It's not like a cheesecake, but the UFC PI chefs do an amazing job.
01:17Nice. Good to hear. And it's no secret, like going into this event here in Mexico, you're 0-2-1, two defeats, one draw.
01:26It just seems that victory has escaped all these times that you have come out here to try to get a win.
01:31When you got the call to fight here, was it like, ah, here we go again, or was it like redeeming?
01:37Like, yes, I want to go in there. I got to get a win in front of my people.
01:40Brother, I don't even think about my past, you know? I think that is something I had to avoid for this one,
01:48because, you know, you guys always ask me about, what is the pressure of your next fight?
01:54And I always answer the same, like, there's a lot of pressure, as always.
01:59But, man, I can't put more on that, you know? I can't put more weight on my shoulders.
02:05So, hey, man, I just stopped thinking of the past. I don't know nothing about my past.
02:09I grabbed all the lessons from that, but after that, right now, I'm very focused on my present.
02:16I'm very focused on Steve Ercik, and I'm ready for the challenge.
02:20About a year ago was the last fight before you took the break.
02:25So now returning here, how much different is the Brandon Moreno we see right now compared to the one that we saw then?
02:31Man, I'm just enjoying this, man. I wake up in the morning, I eat my breakfast,
02:35I went to the Performance Institute here in Mexico to keep my training going.
02:42I don't know, man. I'm just enjoying the moment much better than the last time.
02:46The last time, I was just exhausted, you know? I was just tired to be in the gym, to be making the weight cut, whatever.
02:55So this time, I'm just enjoying it a little bit more.
02:58Apart from the location, obviously, the offer came with Steve Ercik, right?
03:03After your last fight, we spoke, and you weren't really sure what was next.
03:07So when you got Steve Ercik, is that a fight that you had on your radar?
03:11Is that a fight that you thought made sense next?
03:13Yeah, I mean, I think UFC offered the fight to Tatsuya Taira first,
03:20but I don't know the reasons he doesn't accept the fight.
03:24So then they told me about Ercik, and man, he was doing an amazing job.
03:29Obviously, right now he's not in his best moment because he fought for the title,
03:34and then he lost against Kaikara France, but man, he's dangerous.
03:38He's very talented, very good boxing, very good mixed martial arts in general.
03:43So I'm ready for him. I'm ready for all the things he's bringing to the fight.
03:50Yeah, it's a fight that makes me feel very excited.
03:53And what do you think a win does here for your career?
03:56Because it'd be two wins in a row, right?
03:58Because you looked great against Amir Abbasi in your last time out.
04:00The title picture at Flyweight is a little bit weird, so where do you think you'll go?
04:03Yeah, I think the same, man.
04:05I think exactly like you say, right now everything is very weird at the Flyweight division.
04:09I think Manel deserves the opportunity. I think Kaikara France deserves the opportunity.
04:13Winning this salary, I believe I can raise my hand and say,
04:18hey man, I think I deserve the opportunity as well.
04:21So I don't know. Let's see what happens, right?
04:24I know UFC wants to come back in September for Nacho UFSA.
04:28So just let me take that victory this Saturday and we can talk about it.
04:33Just one more question about that. I know you said after Saturday,
04:36but it seems that's the race, right, between Cobb and Kaikara France.
04:40But do you think you make a statement with here two wins in a row,
04:43two main events back to back, you think you're in there as well
04:46and you could get the next title shot?
04:49I mean, I think it's not a secret for a lot of people.
04:54It's always the same with the Flyweight division.
04:59I don't really know how much I move the needle for the company.
05:02That's the truth.
05:04But what I know is I move the needle more than the other guys.
05:08That's the truth.
05:09And I can use that card.
05:12Get an amazing victory this weekend coming from the last one against Amir.
05:18So I can use that card.
05:20And I think you returning to Mexico speaks about your persistence, right?
05:24You're winless here so far, but you want to get the win here
05:27and you want to get a victory on your home ground.
05:30Same thing could be said about Pantoja, right?
05:32You've lost to him a few times, but there's a big part of you.
05:36I mean, not even a big part.
05:38You truly believe that you can get the job done and that's what you want.
05:42That's why I'm here, man.
05:43That's why I'm here talking with you.
05:45If not, I'll be in my home resting.
05:47That's it.
05:48But no, man.
05:49I still believe in my ability to get that title back.
05:52Yeah.
05:53Lastly, prediction for Saturday?
05:55Win.
05:56Let's go.
05:58First round.
05:59Knockout.
06:00First, second.
06:08I have a question for you.
06:10We were two people interviewing you in a small gym in Tijuana.
06:14A young man who dreamed of debuting in the UFC.
06:17Now you have a press conference that's completely full.
06:21And you'll fight on Saturday against 20,000 people.
06:24How would you describe it and how do you feel about that?
06:27Well, first of all, nothing.
06:29Thank you for your time and for sticking to it.
06:33It's been several years.
06:35It's crazy.
06:37In the end, it's always the same.
06:38I'm privileged in life.
06:40Thanks to God, destiny, whatever you want to call it.
06:44Things have gone well for me.
06:46I've been very down.
06:48I've been very high.
06:50I've done a lot of great things.
06:52And life has been able to reward me.
06:55And I'm grateful for that.
06:57Because we know that sometimes it doesn't happen like that in life.
06:59So, I'm very happy that you took the time to come and talk to me.
07:03Hey, Brandon.
07:05In this career that you've had, where you've given a lot to the fans.
07:09You were the first Mexican to be champion.
07:11But what do you leave with?
07:13In the end, what does Brandon Moreno Castillo leave with in this time?
07:17What does he take home with him?
07:19Do we correct him or not?
07:21Brother, what do I leave with?
07:25Resilience.
07:26I'm a very stubborn guy.
07:29In a good way.
07:30I know how to identify when I can keep moving forward.
07:32If life allows me to.
07:33And if it's the smartest thing to do.
07:35I keep trying to achieve great things.
07:37Like I was talking to Danny.
07:40I've had to be hitting the same stone many times to keep moving forward.
07:46And that hasn't bothered me.
07:47I feel like that has also been the key to my success.
07:49To keep moving forward.
07:51Without thinking about why or how.
07:54Just keep moving forward.
07:56Do you think the Mosca division of the UFC is stuck in a barrier of the Brandons?
08:09Being 1-2.
08:10And coming from a fight against Amir Albasy.
08:14Who was prognosticated as a contender for the champion.
08:17Do you think the Mosca division is stuck in a barrier of the Brandons?
08:22With Roybal and Moreno 1-2.
08:24And you fighting contenders like Amir Albasy in your last fight.
08:29Yes.
08:30It could be.
08:32I was talking about it.
08:34Right now the division is a little strange.
08:38Because we have my person and Roybal in the top positions.
08:48And we've been beating contenders.
08:50Roybal also doing his own thing.
08:53Right now we'll see Manel Cup and Kai Kara France.
08:57They've been doing their own thing.
08:59And they have the opportunity to raise their hand.
09:01To ask for the opportunity for the championship in the future.
09:04I don't know.
09:06I'm doing my job.
09:08Maybe I'm a little stuck.
09:10But it's something that doesn't matter to me.
09:15I have to do my job.
09:17My job is to win.
09:19Even though I lost last year here in Mexico City.
09:21The fight with Amir Albasy was very important for me.
09:24To stay in the division.
09:26And I went to do my job.
09:28If I'm stuck or not.
09:30Possibly there's a problem.
09:32But you know.
09:34Brandon.
09:36Mixed martial arts.
09:38But do you think the UFC should revolutionize with the wave of champions?
09:42Like Pantoja.
09:44Like Belal Muhammad.
09:46Now Ankalaev in the semi-completes.
09:48Maybe they're not so attractive for the fans that like to see the striking.
09:53And all that.
09:55How to revolutionize?
09:57Maybe in some way.
09:59Change the scoring.
10:01The way of scoring the fights.
10:03Make it more of a proposal.
10:07That's a very hard topic.
10:09With that question.
10:11We have a whole podcast.
10:13To begin with.
10:15It's true.
10:17The UFC is having a moment.
10:19Where the champions.
10:21I don't want to say they're not entertaining.
10:23Because for me as a martial artist.
10:25It's belittling the work of my teammates.
10:27It's not fair.
10:29What is Islam.
10:31What is Ankalaev.
10:33What is Pantoja.
10:35They're incredible athletes.
10:37Fighters that I respect a lot.
10:39But it's true.
10:41Maybe they don't move the needle.
10:43I don't know.
10:45Topuria in the 145 pounds.
10:47So.
10:49Damn.
10:51We're talking about referees.
10:53We're talking about judges.
10:55So much has been said about the scoring.
10:57How much is a knockdown.
10:59How much is control and how much is not.
11:01It's a whole topic.
11:03Maybe yes.
11:05But I don't have the time.
11:07Or the knowledge to answer you.
11:09Brandon.
11:11Topuria.
11:13What is your opinion about what
11:15Kain Velasquez lived in the last week?
11:17Oh bro.
11:19You threw it well.
11:21Sadly.
11:23You realize that
11:25legality has nothing to do with justice.
11:27It's sad.
11:29It's very sad.
11:31And I'm very sorry for Kain.
11:33Because I think I would have
11:35responded by doing the same.
11:37If I was in his situation.
11:39I would have loved for the laws
11:41to be a little more on my side.
11:43Sadly.
11:45We saw the final verdict
11:47of the laws in the United States.
11:49With Kain.
11:51And it's sad.
11:53Thank you very much.
11:55Brandon.
11:57Two questions in one.
11:59What did you miss
12:01to get that first victory in Mexico?
12:03In three attempts.
12:05And the second.
12:07If you win on Saturday.
12:09You will be the Mexican with more victories
12:11in UFC.
12:13What does that feel like for you?
12:15From one side to the other.
12:17What did I miss?
12:19I think I missed concentration.
12:21Keeping focused on the final goal.
12:23And the second.
12:25A lot of pride.
12:27This path.
12:29Although it has been very hard.
12:31It has not weighed me down.
12:33Because I have enjoyed it to the maximum.
12:35Now I am a little exhausted.
12:37From all the stress.
12:39In general.
12:41I am very grateful for life.
12:43For all the good things.
12:45It has not weighed me down.
12:47Because I have enjoyed it a lot.
12:49Carlos Mastache.
12:51Brandon.
12:53You feel in debt.
12:55With your fans.
12:57You have given them the greatest joy.
12:59To have a first Mexican champion.
13:01But not being able to give them
13:03That joy.
13:05Here in this place.
13:07In your land.
13:09Do you feel a little in debt with them?
13:11As a fighter.
13:13You will understand.
13:15That first it hits.
13:17And then it goes away.
13:19How do you feel?
13:21You have given the greatest joy.
13:23To the Mexican fans.
13:25But we do not have that triumph yet.
13:27I do not feel any.
13:29What was the word you used?
13:31Debt?
13:33I do not feel in debt at all.
13:35As you have mentioned.
13:37I have given a lot of joy.
13:39To the people who follow me.
13:41I have been up.
13:43I have been down.
13:45It has been a rollercoaster.
13:47And I think all those comments.
13:49Are the ones that have made me.
13:51Disfocus from the final goal.
13:53Which has been to win.
13:55Regardless of where you have been.
13:57Here in Mexico.
13:59I'm not thinking about the past.
14:01I'm not thinking about what's going to happen next.
14:03If I win.
14:05I'm going to do exactly the same.
14:07I'm going to go.
14:09I'm going to spend time with my family.
14:11I'm not going on vacation.
14:13If I lose.
14:15Imagine what's going to happen.
14:17I'm going to go home.
14:19I'm going to spend time with my family.
14:21And I'm going on vacation with them.
14:23I try to get rid of all those comments.
14:25And be positive and happy.
14:27On the other hand.
14:29First Mexican champion.
14:31First fighter with a tetralogy.
14:33Is it possible that if you win this Saturday.
14:35You get another tetralogy.
14:37Now with Pantoja.
14:39That's the final goal.
14:41It wasn't on purpose.
14:43It wasn't my intention.
14:45To get caught four times with Davison.
14:47It wasn't my intention.
14:49To get caught four times with Pantoja.
14:51But at the end of the day.
14:53The goal is still the same.
14:55And if that's what it takes.
14:57Then welcome.
14:59Do you see it as a good possibility.
15:01After your last fight.
15:03Was very close.
15:05With Pantoja.
15:07It could be.
15:09Let's see.
15:11The division is a little weird.
15:13Because there are a lot of fighters.
15:15That deserve the opportunity.
15:17But if I win this Saturday.
15:19I could be one of them.
15:21Let's talk to the company.
15:25Brandon here.
15:27A while ago.
15:29There were three Mexican champions.
15:31Now there's none.
15:33How do you analyze that situation?
15:35And how much time is left.
15:37To see a Mexican champion again.
15:39It's life.
15:43Every time I'm asked.
15:45That kind of thing.
15:47I think it's not on purpose.
15:49You go to the octagon.
15:51To give your best.
15:53And unfortunately.
15:55Things don't go the way you want.
15:57Last year.
15:59We were very happy.
16:01And everyone.
16:03And the press.
16:05They applauded us.
16:07And then we lost.
16:09And that support.
16:11Decreased.
16:13But as athletes.
16:15We have to stay firm.
16:17In the final goal.
16:19I'm still very firm.
16:21Looking for the championship.
16:23Jair.
16:25Will have a very important fight.
16:27Against Patricio Pitbull.
16:29An ex-champion of Bellator.
16:31Alexa has a very important fight.
16:33We all have to be focused.
16:35On that.
16:37Turn around.
16:39If you don't.
16:41You get stuck.
16:43What I analyze.
16:45About that.
16:47Is that.
16:49Although.
16:51We did a good job.
16:53We have to keep doing it.
16:55We can't get bored.
16:57This sport advances a lot.
16:59Every year.
17:01We see how a champion.
17:03Changes his belt.
17:05The championship goes to someone else.
17:07New generations are coming.
17:09This Saturday.
17:11New talents.
17:13Who will continue to develop.
17:15And show themselves to the world.
17:17Let's hope.
17:19The new generation.
17:21Gets strength for the future.
17:23Brandon.
17:25The Baja California fighters.
17:27Rafa.
17:29Jairez.
17:31Aguilar.
17:33Yasmin.
17:35There are a lot of Baja California fighters.
17:37What do you think about that?
17:39The Baja California fighters.
17:41What do they have?
17:43That's a good question.
17:45They asked me before.
17:47I don't have a concrete answer.
17:49I don't know if it's.
17:51The geographical position.
17:53We are not far from the United States.
17:55That helps us.
17:57The United States.
17:59Is one of the leading countries.
18:01In mixed martial arts.
18:03That knowledge.
18:05We can transmit it.
18:07I see it in myself.
18:09I did camps.
18:11In the U.S.
18:13I learned.
18:15I went back to Tijuana.
18:17I taught them.
18:19They have taught us well.
18:21Yasmin.
18:23Aguilar.
18:25Rafa.
18:27Baja California has something special.
18:29In mixed martial arts.
18:33Good morning.
18:35To ask you.
18:37This fight week.
18:39What is different?
18:45One of the main differences.
18:47I feel calm.
18:49I feel calm.
18:51Before.
18:53When I was younger.
18:55I was more energetic.
18:57More effusive.
18:59I smiled more.
19:01Now.
19:03I am smiling.
19:05I am calm.
19:07I like that.
19:09I feel calm.
19:11When you turn around.
19:13You remember the first times.
19:15When you came.
19:17You had no gym.
19:19Now you have the Performance Institute.
19:21How do you feel that evolution?
19:23How have you lived it?
19:25What does it represent for you?
19:27Alfredo.
19:29Super difference.
19:31The first time I fought here in Mexico.
19:33It was in 2017.
19:35That camp was an odyssey.
19:37Very hard.
19:39To start.
19:41Where are we going to stay?
19:43I rented an apartment.
19:45Where are we going to train?
19:47They helped us get the dinner.
19:49I had my apartment.
19:51But the traffic in Mexico City.
19:53It's crazy.
19:55It's crazy.
19:57You have to take transportation.
19:5930 minutes in traffic.
20:01One hour.
20:03With the UFC Performance Institute.
20:05In Mexico City.
20:07Everything was so fast.
20:09So easy.
20:11I am grateful to the company.
20:13For putting us here.
20:15I know it will help us.
20:17The fighters that are here.
20:19And the ones that are coming.
20:21The development program.
20:23Finally.
20:25You have seen the evolution of the sport.
20:27You have been part of it.
20:29Where do you see the MMA going?
20:31Where is it going?
20:33The goal is to start taking those first places.
20:37In the rankings.
20:39In the future.
20:41And I think we are doing it very well.
20:43We talked about it last year.
20:45Or the year before.
20:47About Alexa, Jair, me.
20:49About the championships.
20:51Those were things that...
20:53I don't know.
20:552014.
20:57The first event in the UFC.
20:59We were able to touch it.
21:01We were a little short.
21:03But we have the opportunity to move forward.
21:05And I see the new generations.
21:07This month I was here.
21:09In Mexico City.
21:11Living with the guys from the institute.
21:13They are all great.
21:15They all have a lot of talent.
21:17They are all great in striking.
21:19Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
21:21What I am aiming for.
21:23Is that we send to the company.
21:25More complete fighters.
21:27That we are good boxers.
21:29Or good kickers.
21:31But we also support our game.
21:33With a good fight.
21:35And a good Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
21:39Hello Brandon.
21:41How are you?
21:43Being one of the most relevant in Mexico.
21:45What is the responsibility you feel.
21:47To keep promoting.
21:49The Mexican mixed martial arts.
21:51And in what position do you think.
21:53The Mexican fighters are right now?
21:55That is a question.
21:57That is related to a question.
21:59That was asked to me recently.
22:01They offer me the fight.
22:03Here in Mexico City.
22:05And instead of thinking.
22:07You know what.
22:09The past.
22:11The camp.
22:13The altitude.
22:15The truth is.
22:17You have to do it.
22:19If I don't do it.
22:21Who?
22:23I understand.
22:25And I think the experience helps me.
22:27To know how difficult the sand is.
22:29The altitude is something serious.
22:31And it is always the issue.
22:33I know that when I do my interviews.
22:35I will have to answer about the altitude.
22:37It is a difficult place.
22:39But the truth is.
22:41The experience helps me.
22:43And I want to keep contributing.
22:45With my grain of sand.
22:47To keep the UFC coming back.
22:49To keep the UFC growing in the country.
22:51We are a project in progress.
22:53And little by little.
22:55We are getting more results.
22:57On this side.
22:59Leonardo Villalpando.
23:01There is a lot of talk.
23:03About what people expect from you.
23:05About what the media says about you.
23:07What do you say about yourself?
23:09What do you expect?
23:11What do you win or lose with this fight?
23:13One of the things.
23:15That I had to understand.
23:17When I decided to take.
23:19How many months of inactivity.
23:21It was less than a year.
23:23It was not much.
23:25I like to be active.
23:27I like to be always there.
23:29It was not much time.
23:31One of the things I had to understand.
23:33And realize.
23:35I already won.
23:37Many fighters say that.
23:39We have seen it.
23:41Porter said it in an interview.
23:43Not so far.
23:45Other fighters.
23:47I already won.
23:49This is extra.
23:51I'm already playing extra.
23:53Although I was not born in extreme poverty.
23:55I come from a humble colony.
23:57With parents who were born in poverty.
23:59And with work.
24:01They fought to get us ahead.
24:03And they gave me incredible opportunities.
24:05In life.
24:07Very different from what they had.
24:09I already won.
24:11I am privileged in life.
24:13Apart from what I'm telling you.
24:15I have brought forward my family.
24:17Doing something that I love.
24:19Wake up in the morning and train.
24:21Without demerit other jobs.
24:23But I get up happy in the morning.
24:25Not always.
24:27Sometimes we are tired.
24:29But I am privileged in life.
24:31I managed to do something incredible.
24:33Doing what I like.
24:35That's what I think of myself right now.
24:39Brandon.
24:41You have talked about the PI.
24:43How it helps the guys from the Combine.
24:45With whom you have been able to live together.
24:47You also talk about that in your podcast.
24:49UFC in Las Altas.
24:51I was going to say.
24:53The Brandon analyst.
24:55I don't know if you could give us a name.
24:57Of those guys.
24:59That we can see in UFC soon.
25:01For example.
25:03Several of them.
25:05They are personal friends.
25:07That I know from Tijuana.
25:09Because they came to train there.
25:11Training in my city.
25:13For me the clearest right now.
25:15Is Juan Diaz.
25:17This Peruvian fighter.
25:19But he lives in Argentina.
25:21Very good.
25:23I think he already deserves.
25:25To enter the direct UFC.
25:27I don't see the case of seeing him in a contender or something.
25:29But let's see.
25:31Juan Diaz.
25:33I like him a lot.
25:35The Martinetti brothers.
25:37My personal friend.
25:39He has a lot of experience.
25:41He has very good fighting bases.
25:43It is difficult to talk about fighting in Latin America.
25:45Because we are not so recognized in that area.
25:47But the truth is that he is very good.
25:49He is very strong.
25:51And I think he deserves an opportunity soon.
25:53In a contender series or something.
25:55To prove himself.
25:57I don't know.
25:59Some platform of those.
26:01I'm going to lose a lot of names.
26:03And I apologize to everyone.
26:05It is not intentional.
26:07But.
26:09Pugas.
26:11Pugas is very good.
26:13Ramiro.
26:15The two are from Mexico.
26:17And if I'm not mistaken.
26:19They are very good.
26:21I'm going to lose a lot of names.
26:23The program is giving a lot of fruit.
26:25I told you.
26:27Sometimes they finish training at 11.
26:29And I trained.
26:31I followed them.
26:33And I watched the finals of the very good practices.
26:35He is also going to fight another boy.
26:37The Aztec boy.
26:39I got to know him.
26:41He is also very good.
26:43He is going to fight on Friday.
26:45If I'm not mistaken.
26:47In Lux.
26:49Very good fighter.
26:51Let's see.
26:53There are many more.
26:55Brandon.
26:57Mari Carmen Falconi.
26:59From Ecuador.
27:01You have many fans here in Ecuador.
27:03For the Lunas brothers.
27:05And for Moledo Rivas.
27:07Can you see in them qualities of Mexican athletes.
27:09Or that warrior spirit.
27:11That you and other Mexican fighters.
27:13Have shown in the octagon.
27:15I think we have to start.
27:17What qualities.
27:19They represent to us.
27:21As Mexican athletes.
27:23We always talk about the heart.
27:25That we go forward.
27:27That we do not give up.
27:29That we always see the way to move forward.
27:31That we are part of the culture.
27:33And we as Mexicans.
27:35When we are surrounded by other people.
27:37From other countries.
27:39We try to push ourselves.
27:41In the same way.
27:43We do not make distinction.
27:45That you are from another country.
27:47And you have a different culture.
27:49That's why we try to be different.
27:51No bro.
27:53If he's going to beat you.
27:55Fight him.
27:57So little by little.
27:59What do you want to say.
28:01To the new Mexican and Latin American fighters.
28:07I do not know if it's a super legacy.
28:09I do not know if it's a legacy.
28:11Small or big.
28:13But I'm just happy.
28:15With having contributed something.
28:17The day I decided to hang my gloves.
28:19I just hope.
28:21I hope I have helped a lot of people.
28:23I hope I have helped.
28:25In some way.
28:27I am in a mission.
28:29To protect and serve.
28:31I want to protect my family.
28:33And I want to give them a better life.
28:35But I also want to serve.
28:37So that mixed martial arts.
28:39Keep growing.
28:41The day I go.
28:43I hope I have done something good for them.
28:45Brandon.
28:47What could you highlight more.
28:49Of the fight of Moledo Rivas.
28:51He's very strong.
28:53He has very good technique.
28:55He has very good transitions.
28:57Sometimes.
28:59There is not much talk of the fight.
29:01In Latin America.
29:03Because we have not had the level.
29:05But he is very good.
29:07He has very good bases.
29:09Like the Luna.
29:11They do not have bases.
29:13But they mix it very well.
29:15He has very good grappling.
29:17Back to the throne.
29:19What do you plan to do?
29:21Stay in the division.
29:23Maybe go up to Rooster.
29:25It could be.
29:27Many people ask me that.
29:29I am old school.
29:31In the sense that.
29:33I think the difficult thing is to keep it.
29:35Ask me.
29:37I have not been able to defend the belt.
29:39I know how difficult it is.
29:41Not only to have it.
29:43But to go knocking on the heads of the contenders.
29:45They come with all the hunger.
29:47To take your crown.
29:49I am old school in that sense.
29:51My goal would be to defend it.
29:53In the future.
29:55You defended 2 or 3 times.
29:57It does not make much sense.
29:59You can raise your hand.
30:01We are going to leave the belt.
30:03The UFC will not let you have it.
30:05Leave the belt.
30:07And look for something entertaining.
30:09To cut less weight.
30:11Finally.
30:13If you recover the throne.
30:15Would you accept the challenge to Henry Cejudo in Mexico?
30:17That story.
30:19In reality.
30:21I feel.
30:23It has deteriorated a little.
30:25A few years ago.
30:27It was stronger.
30:29I do not feel so strong.
30:31I am not denying anything.
30:33I am not denying anything.
30:35He has to be more focused.
30:37To return to the path of victory.
30:39I am very focused.
30:41To recover the belt.
30:43The guy is 38 or 39 years old.
30:45He is not a young man.
30:47Thank you very much.
30:49And success in your fight.
30:51This is Jorge Lara.
30:53You said you were always asked about the height.
30:55In previous interviews.
30:57To your trip to Mexico City.
30:59You said this capsule.
31:01Like Dragon Ball.
31:03You were going to see.
31:05If already being here in Mexico.
31:07It had worked.
31:09There were 3 things.
31:11Before arriving here in Mexico City.
31:13The first.
31:15The hyperbaric camera.
31:17In the UFC Apex.
31:19For those who do not know.
31:21There is the UFC API.
31:23You cross a street.
31:25And there is the UFC Apex.
31:27There is the hyperbaric camera.
31:29It is special.
31:31I feel it was a great help.
31:33Then.
31:35As you say.
31:37We were talking about this camera.
31:39I installed another one in my house.
31:41I had to sleep there.
31:43It helped me a lot.
31:45Although I did not sleep there every night.
31:47I took naps.
31:49It was very interesting.
31:51It is like a tent house.
31:53Connected to some tubes.
31:55It has a machine.
31:57I am not a scientist.
31:59I do not know how to explain you.
32:01It was part of the process.
32:03And the third.
32:05Las Vegas is not high.
32:07But there are mountains around.
32:09There is a very famous one.
32:11Last week he was running there.
32:1310 kilometers.
32:15All his life.
32:17It is very difficult.
32:19But.
32:21I feel it worked.
32:23I arrived here in Mexico City.
32:25Waiting for the height.
32:27I have lived it before.
32:29The first week was horrible.
32:31I was waiting for the blow.
32:33But thanks to life.
32:35It did not reach me.
32:37That is good news.
32:39You also spoke in these interviews.
32:41That you are in your prime.
32:43That this fight comes at a very good time.
32:45That is also fundamental.
32:47For this path.
32:49That you are taking again.
32:51To look for the championship.
32:53Where in your career do you put it?
32:55This fight against Erceg.
32:57So important.
32:59It is super important.
33:01Each fight is very important.
33:03What madness.
33:05I would have thought.
33:07I got the championship.
33:09The first time.
33:11In 2021.
33:13I was 27 or 28 years old.
33:15I was not one of the youngest champions.
33:17I think I was quite young.
33:19I think it came to me.
33:21Much before that opportunity.
33:23I took full advantage of it.
33:25I learned a lot.
33:27Then I recover the championship.
33:29I lose it.
33:31My point is.
33:33I've been through a lot.
33:35It makes me get to this fight.
33:37With a lot of experience.
33:39It's interesting.
33:41People used to talk about that same experience.
33:43They used to say.
33:45Brando Moreno has a lot more experience.
33:47He has fought several times.
33:49Five round fights.
33:51I was very frustrated.
33:53How I could not transmit that experience.
33:55To the fights.
33:57I was very frustrated.
33:59Knowing that I do incredible things in the gym.
34:01And I could not transmit it to the fight.
34:03Then I said.
34:05Now I connect everything.
34:07All the small wires.
34:09They connected.
34:11And I was able to show.
34:13What I am capable of.
34:15The goal is to keep the bar there.
34:17Take that balance.
34:19Between youth.
34:21With experience.
34:23And push the limits.
34:25China Ballina.
34:27For UWC Tijuana.
34:29The comment is.
34:31It can be very hard.
34:33We see it with the public in general.
34:35Or with us as reporters.
34:39How do you take this?
34:41Do you take care of your physical health?
34:43Not only physical.
34:45But mental.
34:47To not fall into a depression.
34:49The question is.
34:51If you go to some kind of therapy.
34:53That helps you survive all this.
34:55Because sometimes when you win.
34:57Everyone is there.
34:59As a fighter.
35:01It must be very difficult.
35:03Because we are all human.
35:07It should be more recurrent.
35:09But I have my therapist.
35:11Aletia Olmedo.
35:13In Las Vegas.
35:15She gave me therapy last week.
35:17But yes.
35:19It is very important.
35:21Regardless of the position.
35:23Where we are.
35:25We should have the space.
35:27To do some kind of therapy.
35:29Not because you are crazy.
35:31But because it is healthy.
35:33Apart from that.
35:35I try to keep.
35:37My circle very closed.
35:39I am a person.
35:41Who goes to the gym.
35:43And comes back home.
35:45Only with my wife.
35:47With my daughters.
35:49With my close friends.
35:51I try not to get soaked.
35:53By people.
35:55Because you feel bad.
35:57And then they leave.
35:59They can make you feel bad.
36:01I have my circle very closed.
36:03I keep my circle with people.
36:05I know that good, bad, worse.
36:07They will be there.
36:09I had one more thing to tell you.
36:11Apart from that.
36:13The social networks.
36:15I try to stay active.
36:17For sponsors.
36:19For monetization.
36:21I do not read many comments.
36:23I do not see many.
36:25Journalistic notes.
36:27Or those things.
36:29Because they can affect you.
36:31Those three things are important to me.
36:35Congratulations.
36:53No.
36:55It's just that.
36:57Everything is connecting.
36:59Everything is connecting.
37:01Because a while ago I was asked.
37:03Before when you started.
37:05There were one or two media.
37:07That were interested in the sport.
37:09And now.
37:11Thank God.
37:13More people.
37:15More media.
37:17They cover more mixed martial arts.
37:19And it's not their fault.
37:21The sport is what it is.
37:23It has been growing little by little.
37:25In Mexico in general.
37:27Now imagine.
37:29State by state.
37:31I want to serve.
37:33I want to serve.
37:35I want to continue to contribute my grain of sand.
37:37Today for example.
37:39I am the star fight this Saturday.
37:41But all the new generations are coming.
37:43Thanks to that.
37:45They will have the opportunity to show their talent.
37:47To Mexico and the world.
37:49I hope it continues to grow.
37:51Of course.
38:03I think they can expect the same.
38:05In the sense that.
38:07Winning or losing.
38:09I have always left my heart.
38:11In the fights.
38:13I have tried.
38:15It has affected me a little in the past.
38:17But I have concentrated.
38:19To make a strong fight.
38:21To make an entertaining fight.
38:23With a lot of action.
38:25They are going to have fun.
38:27They are going to have a lot of fun.
38:29And they are definitely going to recover.
38:31The investment of the ticket.
38:33Last year.
38:35Roy Ball had to leave.
38:37He left in a wheelchair.
38:39He had to destroy his knee.
38:41To snatch the triumph.
38:43What is Steve Ersek going to have to do.
38:45This time.
38:47To snatch the victory.
38:49Yes.
38:51Analyzing the fight.
38:53With Roy Ball.
38:55I'm going to the past.
38:57I have to learn.
38:59I have to look.
39:01How to learn.
39:03From all possible experiences.
39:05It was a close fight.
39:07I have commented before.
39:09In that fight.
39:11I was totally disconnected.
39:13But it was a very hard fight for him.
39:15It was a very hard fight for him.
39:17I remember that we were both.
39:19In the medical check-up.
39:21And I was all sad.
39:23With my wife.
39:25And suddenly Roy Ball arrives.
39:27Screaming.
39:29The pain in the leg.
39:31I kicked him very hard.
39:33And I said.
39:35At some point he has to bend.
39:37He did not.
39:39He held on.
39:41I have to give 100%.
39:43Hello.
39:45Rodrigo Corona.
39:47Behind Mario.
39:49A while ago you were talking about.
39:51The issue of Cain Velasquez.
39:53Do you think that what happened.
39:55With Cain Velasquez outside the ring.
39:57Stains his legacy.
39:59As the great champion he was.
40:01As a Mexican.
40:03Not at all.
40:05I do not know if you are a father.
40:07But for all who are parents.
40:09I think the feeling.
40:11Of injustice.
40:13When they heard the final verdict.
40:15With Cain.
40:17It was repudiation.
40:19How society has abandoned us.
40:21In that respect.
40:23I think I would react.
40:25Like Cain.
40:27I would try to tear the head off.
40:29The person who has done.
40:31Such an atrocity.
40:33I do not think it has anything to do.
40:35With the legacy of Cain Velasquez.
40:37Hello Brandon.
40:39A very brief question.
40:41Lacey Boy commented.
40:43He would like to fight you.
40:45Maybe for a championship.
40:47Would you be willing.
40:49To accept the challenge of Lacey.
40:51If not for a championship.
40:53Brother.
40:55Lacey is doing his job.
40:57And I think he has done a very good job.
40:59He has become a fighter.
41:01Very media.
41:03He has become a fighter.
41:05In the eyes of the Mexican public.
41:07He has taken advantage of his time.
41:09I'm going to be very honest.
41:11I think he's a very young fighter.
41:13He still needs some trajectory.
41:15And I personally.
41:17I'm not going to tell you.
41:19I'm going to retire.
41:21But if I'm already seeing.
41:23A long-term path.
41:25What's going to happen to me.
41:27I can not tell you no.
41:29At the end of the day.
41:31A fight is a fight.
41:33I did not want to fight four times.
41:35With one person.
41:37But he has the championship.
41:39And I wanted to get it back.
41:41And I did it.
41:43And now I'm looking to do the same.
41:45With another fighter.
41:47I just want to stay at the top.
41:49I want to help all the Mexican talent.
41:51Very happy for Lacey's career.
41:53We have trained together.
41:55He is young.
41:57He has a lot of energy.
41:59He is excited.
42:01And he wants to provide for his family.
42:03Gentlemen.
42:05Hug.
42:07Take care.