Brandon Moreno Bio
Brandon Moreno Carrillo, born on December 7, 1993, is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion and the first Mexican-born fighter to win a UFC championship. Nicknamed “The Assassin Baby,” Moreno has been a professional since 2011 and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in the 125-pound division.
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, Moreno is currently signed with Fortis MMA and holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Raúl Arvizu. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 70-inch reach, he has built a reputation for well-rounded skills, including sharp submission grappling and high-volume striking.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Moreno Carrillo was born and raised in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, where he still has strong ties to the local community. Growing up, he was a fan of boxing but knew little about other combat sports. His path into martial arts began when he developed an interest in capoeira and searched his hometown for a school, only to discover an MMA gym instead. That gym would set the course for the rest of his life.
He began training in kickboxing and jiu-jitsu as a teenager, and by 2006 he had joined Entram Gym in Tijuana, where he would hone his craft for the next 16 years. The early years at Entram Gym shaped his development as a martial artist and laid the foundation for his transition into professional competition.
Path to MMA
Moreno made his professional MMA debut in April 2011 at Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico while still only 17 years old. Over the next two years, he built a record of 6 wins and 3 losses in his home country, competing mostly at bantamweight. In 2014, he debuted for the World Fighting Federation, where he went 5-0 and captured the Flyweight Championship. That title run earned him a spot on the 25th season of The Ultimate Fighter.
On The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions, Moreno was selected for Team Benavidez. His opening-round opponent was Alexandre Pantoja, who submitted him, but the exposure from the show gave him a clear path to the UFC. The stint helped him sharpen his game against top-tier flyweight prospects.
Brandon Moreno Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
During his first run as a professional, Brandon Moreno Carrillo built his résumé on the regional Mexican circuit while competing at bantamweight. He then moved down to flyweight, where his frame and skill set were a better fit. His undefeated streak in the World Fighting Federation pushed him onto the radar of major promotions.
His performance at flyweight earned him a UFC tryout through The Ultimate Fighter. Even with a setback on the show, his regional success and technical foundation had already marked him as a prospect to watch.
UFC Breakthrough (2016–2018)
Moreno debuted in the UFC on October 1, 2016, against Louis Smolka at UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson, winning by submission in the first round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He followed that with a split-decision win over Ryan Benoit at The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions Finale and a second-round submission of Dustin Ortiz in April 2017, which brought another Performance of the Night bonus.
His first setback inside the Octagon came against Sergio Pettis in August 2017, and a later loss to Alexandre Pantoja in 2018 capped a difficult stretch. By late 2018, Moreno was released from the UFC roster.
Legacy Fighting Alliance (2019)
After his UFC release, Brandon Moreno Carrillo signed a multi-fight deal with the Legacy Fighting Alliance. He debuted against reigning Flyweight Champion Maikel Perez at LFA 69 on June 7, 2019, and won the LFA Flyweight Championship by technical knockout in the fourth round. The title reign quickly earned him a UFC return.
Return to UFC (2019–2023)
Moreno returned to the UFC on September 21, 2019, fighting Askar Askarov to a split draw at UFC Fight Night 159. He then reeled off wins over Kai Kara-France, Jussier Formiga, and Brandon Royval, with the Royval victory coming at UFC 255 after Alex Perez stepped in to challenge for the title. Those performances set up a championship opportunity against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 256 on December 12, 2020, where the two fought to a majority draw in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors for both men.
In the rematch at UFC 263 on June 12, 2021, Moreno submitted Figueiredo with a rear naked choke in the third round to become the first Mexican UFC champion, a result that also earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He dropped the title to Figueiredo by unanimous decision at UFC 270 in January 2022, but rebounded by winning the interim flyweight title with a third-round TKO of Kai Kara-France at UFC 277. Their historic fourth meeting came at UFC 283 on January 21, 2023, the first time in UFC history two fighters had met for a title a fourth time. Moreno won the undisputed championship by TKO after the ringside doctor stopped the fight due to Figueiredo’s swollen eye. His title reign ended in a July 2023 split-decision loss to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290, a fight that earned him another Fight of the Night bonus.
Fortis MMA Era (2022–Present)
In 2022, Brandon Moreno Carrillo made a major team change, ending his long tenure at Entram Gym in Tijuana and relocating to train with Fortis MMA in Dallas, Texas, joining a renowned camp that includes several top UFC names. The move was designed to give him fresh training partners and resources ahead of his championship run. He has remained with Fortis MMA since.
Under the Fortis MMA banner, Moreno captured the undisputed UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 283 in January 2023. Although he lost the belt later that year, he has continued to headline major events, including a rematch with Brandon Royval and a main-event win over Steve Erceg at UFC on ESPN 64 in Mexico City in April 2025. The Fortis MMA era has cemented his standing as a perennial contender in the flyweight division.
Style and Strengths
Brandon Moreno Carrillo is best known for his high-volume striking, durable cardio, and dangerous submission game. His black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu makes him a constant threat on the mat, while his pressure-heavy style and willingness to engage in wild exchanges have produced several Fight of the Night performances. Pairing well with his Fortis MMA team, he blends grappling craft with aggressive forward movement.
Notable Events and Milestones
Moreno’s signature moment came at UFC 263 in 2021, when he became the first Mexican UFC champion by submitting Deiveson Figueiredo. He added the undisputed title with a fourth-round doctor stoppage TKO of Figueiredo at UFC 283 in 2023, capping the first four-fight title series in UFC history. Along the way, he has earned multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, including the memorable draw with Figueiredo at UFC 256.
Brandon Moreno Career Wins
Brandon Moreno Carrillo has compiled 23 professional wins across multiple major promotions. He captured the World Fighting Federation Flyweight Championship, the Legacy Fighting Alliance Flyweight Championship, the interim UFC Flyweight Championship, and the undisputed UFC Flyweight Championship. His finishing rate is well balanced, with victories by submission, knockout, and decision.
UFC Highlights
In the UFC, Brandon Moreno Carrillo has recorded double-digit victories, including notable wins over Louis Smolka, Ryan Benoit, Dustin Ortiz, Kai Kara-France, Jussier Formiga, Brandon Royval, Deiveson Figueiredo (twice), and Steve Erceg. His first UFC victory came by first-round submission over Smolka in 2016, and his most recent UFC win came by unanimous decision over Erceg in April 2025. The Figueiredo fights, including two title wins, stand as the defining chapter of his UFC run.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Brandon Moreno Carrillo won the World Fighting Federation Flyweight Championship and the Legacy Fighting Alliance Flyweight Championship, beating then-reigning LFA titleholder Maikel Perez. He also competed in the inaugural Combat Jiu-Jitsu Fight Night in February 2019, reaching the bantamweight tournament final before losing in overtime.
Brandon Moreno Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brandon Moreno Carrillo was raised in Tijuana, Baja California, where his family supported his early interest in martial arts. He began training at Entram Gym in 2006 as a teenager, and the gym became a second home during his formative years. His family has continued to support his career as he has moved between teams and countries.
Personal Life
Moreno lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife and their three daughters. Outside of fighting, he is an avid Funko Pop collector and a dedicated Lego enthusiast. He also hosts a Spanish-language MMA podcast called Entre Asaltos, where he discusses the sport with fans and fellow fighters.
2025 Season Performance
Brandon Moreno Carrillo’s 2025 campaign began with a high-profile main event in his home country. On April 5, 2025, he faced former UFC Flyweight Championship challenger Steve Erceg in the main event of UFC on ESPN 64 in Mexico City, controlling the fight and earning a unanimous decision victory in front of a passionate crowd.
Later in the year, Moreno took on rising Japanese fighter and former Shooto Flyweight Champion Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025. The bout did not go his way, as he suffered a second-round technical knockout loss, his first career stoppage defeat. The result pushed him out of the top contender spots heading into the following year.
As 2025 closed, Moreno remained a respected name in the flyweight division and was already scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 268 on February 28, 2026, against Asu Almabayev, before Almabayev withdrew due to a hand injury and was replaced by Lone’er Kavanagh. The change in opponent highlighted how active Moreno remained at the top of the division, even after two straight losses.
