UFC 283 goes down this weekend and marks the UFC’s return to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Headlining the occasion shall be a lightweight heavyweight conflict for the vacant title between Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill. It’s the co-main occasion that makes this card so intriguing, nevertheless. We’ll see a fourth struggle between flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo and interim champion, Brandon Moreno. The 2 males share a win a-piece and have additionally fought to a attract among the best rivalries we’ve seen in years.
Moreno has had an exceptional profession revival. From being the ultimate choose on TUF 24, to being minimize from the UFC, re-signing and happening a loopy title run, Moreno’s story has all of it. Regardless of huge wins towards the likes of Figueiredo, Kai-Kara France and Brandon Royval, a win at UFC 283 could possibly be the most important of his profession.
Two major components play into this probably being the most important win of his life and we check out each of those.
Krause, Glory MMA, Sayif Saud & the Teaching Merry-go-round
A giant problem forward of his UFC 283 struggle is who will nook Moreno for his fourth struggle with Figueiredo. Forward of his UFC 277 conflict with Kara-France, Moreno had moved over to Glory MMA below the tutelage of James Krause. We noticed a violent model of Moreno, who landed a savage liver kick to his opponent, folding him and ending issues.
Krause and Moreno appeared like a match made in heaven. That was, till, after all, Krause was caught up within the playing controversy, banned from UFC occasions in addition to having anybody who represented Glory MMA additionally banned from UFC occasions.
This left Moreno with out a coach or a crew forward of an enormous conflict with Figueiredo. Moreno revealed to Ariel Helwani on The MMAHour that he had spoken to Krause as regards to the teaching scenario:
“What’s onerous when every thing began… I used to be in Kansas Metropolis when the information got here out. I had an extended dialog with James, he instructed me the scenario, and in that second, I made a decision to show the web page shortly and resolve what I needed to do…subsequent Monday I used to be in Las Vegas. The great half, the gameplan was already carried out, so I used to be able to go on my own with my coaches”.
He later went on to disclose that he began to work with famend coach Sayif Saud at Fortis MMA:
“I made a decision to work with Sayif Saud, the coach of Fortis MMA. He’s very shut with [my manager]…I really feel very comfy with him. It was quite simple to work with him, and we closed this coaching camp in one of the best ways doable” (Transcript courtesy of MMA Information).
Coach Sayif about to hit the 80 win mark within the UFC and shall be heading to Brazil subsequent week 🔥 congratulations on crew of the yr 🙏 @fortismma @brandonmoreno@sayif_saud pic.twitter.com/T7neeY2vTi
— Fernie Garcia (@teamfgarcia) January 8, 2023
It’s going to be tough for Moreno surely. There are not any questions as to the credentials of Saud, he’s a top-quality coach and it could possibly be a match made in heaven between Saud and Moreno, nevertheless, it’s a threat. It isn’t simple to have a brand new coach, with new strategies and a brand new voice in your ear throughout struggle week and on struggle night time. How a lot will this have an effect on The Murderer Child? We’ll have to attend to see on Saturday night time.
Heading into Enemy Territory
The opposite issue to think about is that Moreno shall be getting into enemy territory to face Figueiredo. Born in Soure, Para, Brazil, The God of Struggle could have the entire of Brazil behind him. He has a fan favorite type and rightfully so. Throughout 21 wins, he has 17 finishes, one thing that isn’t typically seen on the decrease weight courses. 9 of those have come by way of knockout, one other factor that isn’t widespread at 125lbs.
UFC 283 marks the primary time that Figueiredo has competed at house since 2018. Moreno has solely fought in Brazil as soon as, once more going into enemy territory to defeat Jussier Formiga.
We all know simply how hostile the Brazillian crowd could be. Again within the days of Jose Aldo‘s prime, each enviornment he competed in in Brazil was rocking. The Brazillian followers get behind their fighters like few others. What’s essential to recollect is that each single struggle at UFC 283 has a Brazillian fighter featured.
This might play out in one in every of two methods. It might completely kill the gang. If a few of the larger Brazillian names endure losses, for instance, if Neil Magny defeats Gilbert Burns within the struggle earlier than the co-main, the gang could possibly be stunted. If Lauren Murphy upsets Jessica Andrade, how will the gang react? They could possibly be flat, which performs in Moreno’s favour.
With that being mentioned, it might go the opposite manner. If Burns and Andrade rating huge victories, if Johnny Walker pulls off a loopy flash knockout of which we all know he’s succesful, the gang could possibly be filled with power and proper behind Figueiredo.
No matter occurs, we all know that Figueiredo and Moreno all the time placed on a present and there’s nothing to counsel a fourth struggle shall be any totally different. UFC 283 ought to ship and we will’t wait.
