UFC 290: Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja preview and prediction

The third fight between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 will be for the UFC flyweight championship.
May 19, 2018; Santiago, Chile;  Brandon Moreno (red gloves) fights Alexandre Pantoja (blue gloves)
May 19, 2018; Santiago, Chile; Brandon Moreno (red gloves) fights Alexandre Pantoja (blue gloves) / Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
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Despite being a huge fight for a world title, the UFC 290’s co-main event between champion Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja has flown under the radar. This fight has so much backstory it is wild when you analyze the journey leading up to the third fight, which will have the UFC flyweight title on the line this time.

UFC 290 is lucky to have Moreno vs. Pantoja, as it is a perfect fight for a stacked card. This co-main could headline its own fight card based on the skills and mindset of each fighter. No trash talk, just two mixed martial artists looking for validation that they are the best in the world through hard work and dedication to their craft.

Since his return to the UFC, Moreno’s inspirational run has shined a bright light on a division that many thought was on life support once Demetrious Johnson left to pursue fights in ONE Championship. The heart that Moreno possesses inside the Octagon put him in the best position to be a world champion.

After finally vanquishing his long-time foe Deiveson Figueiredo, Moreno welcomes all the challengers who are looking to dethrone him and the next in line is the man who already has two victories over him. Moreno has the skill set to compete with Pantoja. Many might think if he can put the mental aspect of the fight game behind him and not let the doubt settle in about losing twice to Pantoja, he can show the skillset that he has evolved since their last fight.

Pantoja has been a thorn in the flyweight division for Moreno by being the man to shatter his dreams of winning The Ultimate Fighter. Pantoja’s second win in 2018 was the final straw for Moreno in the UFC, as it had him searching for a new promotion. The wait is finally over for Pantoja, as he finally gets his shot at UFC gold.

UFC 290: Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja prediction

The third fight between Pantoja and Moreno could be an instant classic and might be closer than many are willing to consider - but at the end of the day, Pantoja will probably always be Moreno’s kryptonite fighter. The prediction for this co-main has Pantoja edging out a close win with his key moments coming from damaging Moreno on the feet, but all-in-all Moreno’s heart pushes this all five rounds with the judges mixed on a Pantoja victory.

Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja by split decision.

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