Weeks before his scheduled UFC Fight Night main event against Brandon Moreno, Asu Almabayev suffered a hand injury that has raised concerns about the upcoming bout. The fight is set for February 28 in Mexico City, but no official updates have been issued regarding Almabayev’s ability to compete. On Tuesday, Almabayev shared a photo showing his right arm in a cast, signaling the severity of the injury.
Details on Almabayev’s Injury and Remarks
Almabayev revealed,
“The situation is like this, I got an arm injury two days before our flight,”
according to a translation of his statement. He added,
“I don’t want to talk about the injury… no matter how much you [try], I can’t change it.”
These words underscore his frustration and concern about how the injury might affect the fight.
Significance of the Fight for Almabayev’s Career
This match would be Almabayev’s second UFC main event, where he faces Brandon Moreno, a prominent figure in Mexican mixed martial arts, at Arena CDMX. The Kazakh fighter holds a 23-3 record and has claimed six wins in seven UFC bouts. His only UFC loss came against notable contender Manel Kape during his first main event. Defeating a former two-time flyweight champion like Moreno could improve Almabayev’s chances of competing for the UFC flyweight title.
Brandon Moreno’s Recent Performance and Outlook
Moreno, age 32, is currently navigating a challenging stretch with a 2-2 record in 2024 after narrowly losing his flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja via split decision. Moreno recently suffered a TKO defeat to Tatsuro Taira in December and aims to rebound in this upcoming fight against Almabayev.
Implications for the UFC Flyweight Division
The outcome of the fight holds significant weight for both fighters. For Almabayev, a victory would mark a major step toward title contention, while Moreno seeks to reverse his recent setbacks. The injury adds uncertainty to the event, leaving fans and analysts anxious about the fight’s status and potential impact on the flyweight rankings.
