Mexico’s Brandon Moreno, 30, a two-time former UFC flyweight champion, announced that he will take a break from mixed martial arts, but made it clear that this is not a permanent retirement from the sport, reported ESPN.
In a message on his Instagram account, the Tijuana native said he needs some time away from the sport in the wake of his recent results, after losing by split decision to Brandon Royval at UFC Mexico in February, then losing the championship to Alexandre Pantoja in another close decision in July 2023 at UFC 290.
“I think I’ve reached a limit in my mind and I’m tired,” Moreno said.
“I’m tired of the media, the same questions, the vibe, the constant pressure. I don’t even think it’s a single moment anymore. I think it’s everything I’ve carried on my shoulders for the past few years,” Moreno wrote.
“I’ve gotten to a point where my mind is stressed and I just want to rest a little bit. I’m not saying I’m 100% away from MMA, but I do want to take a break, be with my family. and just be a normal person, be with my daughters and do new things,” he added.
Brandon Moreno clarifies that it’s not a retirement from MMA
“It’s not a goodbye or anything like that, it’s just letting my body, but more than anything my body, my mind, my head, get back together and recover, and we’re going to get back to doing things right. The last time that happened, when I came back, I became world champion. I’d like to think I can do the same thing,” he added.
“I feel like I’m at a point in my life where I’m working, I’m dedicated, but the results just aren’t there, and it’s very frustrating. This is something that makes me very sad, but something that makes me who I am is that I always find a way to come back,” he explained.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Moreno (21-8-2) strung together six championship fights between December 2020 and the loss to Pantoja. He made history as the first Mexican-born UFC champion when he submitted Deiveson Figueiredo in June 2021 at UFC 263.
“I still think I’m an amazing fighter and I have all the qualities and skills to be champion again,” Moreno added