Brandon Moreno ends losing streak with split decision win over Joseph Morales. Brandon Moreno snapped his two-fight losing streak with a hard-fought split-decision victory over Joseph Morales in the co-main event of Noche UFC 4 on Saturday night.
Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno faces Joseph “Bopo” Morales in the co-main event of Noche UFC 4 on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The fight is scheduled for 125 pounds, and it comes at a crucial point in Moreno’s career. The Mexican star enters the matchup on a two-fight losing streak, while Morales arrives with serious momentum after making his way back to the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter and winning his first two fights since returning.
Moreno has been one of the defining names of the UFC flyweight division for years, but his recent results have put him in an unfamiliar position. He suffered a stoppage loss when Tatsuro Taira defeated him by second-round TKO in December 2025. Two months later, Moreno returned to Mexico City but suffered another defeat, losing a unanimous decision to Lone’er Kavanagh. Now, the former champion has the opportunity to stop the slide.
Standing across from Moreno is Joseph Morales, who has taken a long road back to the UFC. After winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 33, Morales returned to the Octagon and immediately made an impression, recording two consecutive stoppage victories. Now, he gets his biggest test since returning.
Moreno immediately look to establish his boxing, probing with his jab before connecting with a hard left hook to the body and a sharp one-two. A multi-punch combination briefly wobble Morales, giving Moreno an early moment. Morales quickly settle down answers with his own offense. He double up his jab, follows with a right hand and eventually secures a takedown. Moreno scrambles back to his feet, but Morales continue to find success with his hands. Morales then lands a left hook and right hand before adding knees and a front kick. Both men continue trading left hooks toward the end of the round.
Moreno starts the round looking to attack the body, landing a left hook and body kick before catching one of Morales’ kicks and tripping him to the canvas. Morales gets back up and continue pressing forward. He repeatedly mix punches with knees and connects with a front kick to the body and a solid one-two. Moreno defends a takedown attempt and begin finding his own rhythm, landing a one-two, standing elbow and body kick. He also connects with consecutive left hooks before finishing the round with another body kick and one-two. Despite Moreno’s strong moments, Sherdog’s three unofficial scorers gave the round to Morales.
Moreno comes out aggressively and immediately begins firing punches. He defends Morales’ takedown attempt before forcing him to sprawl during another grappling exchange. The fight returns to the feet, where both men continue trading. Moreno attacks the body with hooks before connecting with an elbow in the clinch. The former champion then finds the biggest grappling moment of the fight. Moreno secures double underhooks, completes a trip takedown and brings Morales to the canvas with around 90 seconds remaining. Morales attempts to work from his back and threw elbows, but Moreno maintains top position. He avoids upkicks, settles into full guard and lands hammerfists and a right hand as the clock ran out. “That’s kind of weird but at the end, I won,” Moreno said about the split decision. “I’m going to celebrate with my people. Viva Mexico! I’m super happy.” The victory ended Moreno’s two-fight losing streak and gave the former champion a crucial win in his bid to remain relevant among the UFC’s elite flyweights.
While Brandon Moreno battled his way to a split-decision victory over Joseph Morales in the co-main event, Alexa Grasso also made a statement earlier on the card, defeating Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision. Grasso came out aggressively from the opening bell, overwhelming Fiorot with fast boxing combinations. She scored a knockdown late in the first round, but the horn sounded before she could finish the fight. Fiorot made adjustments after the opening round and did a better job of avoiding Grasso’s most damaging combinations, but the former champion continued to dictate the action with her pressure and boxing. After three rounds, all three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Grasso, giving her a unanimous decision victory and her second consecutive win.
Noche UFC Main Card
Jean Silva def. Jose Miguel Delgado via submission (RNC) (R3, 2:57)
Brandon Moreno def. Joseph Morales via split decision (28-29, 30-27 x2)
Tommy McMillen def. Marwan Rahiki via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 29-27)
Alexa Grasso def. Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Curtis Blaydes def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
David Martinez def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Noche UFC Prelims
Tim Elliott def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Ignacio Bahamondes def. Muslim Salikhov via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Yousri Belgaroui def. Djorden Santos via first-round TKO (4:25)
Tommy Gantt def. Drakkar Klose via submission (reverse triangle) (R3, 2:46)
Rongzhu def. Rafa Garcia via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Sean King def. Jessie Rosas via first-round KO (0:36)
Regina Tarin def. JJ Aldrich via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
