Three UFC Fighters Facing Uncertain Futures After Mexico

In past years, the UFC would have a show called The Thrill and the Agony, detailing a look at the winners and losers of fights that took place during pay-per-view events (now just known as numbered cards). The world of MMA has its ups and downs, ebbs and flows, for every fighter – it happens practically in all sports.

This weekend’s UFC event in Mexico brought about three fighters in featured contests who, at one point, had a lot of momentum going for them. Now, after their losses, we’re left with plenty of questions about what is next.

Brandon Moreno

This was a must-win situation for Brandon Moreno to keep himself relevant at the top of the weight class. He was fighting in front of a native crowd against an unranked opponent – granted, one who took the fight as an injury fill-in on about a month’s notice. The setup for the rebound after getting knocked out for the first time in his career was perfect.

He lost. And not only did he lose in a shocking upset, but he lost in pretty convincing fashion. Kavanagh’s strikes were quicker, he showed great counter work, and he even rocked Moreno a time or two. The only thing Moreno seemed to have going for him was the clinch game, and even then, he didn’t do much with it. Kavanagh stopped Moreno’s takedown attempts, injured one of his legs, and flat out was in control for most of the 25 minutes.

This is now four losses in six fights for Moreno, stretching back to him dropping the flyweight title to Alexandre Pantojs at UFC 290. Even if he drops only one spot in the UFC rankings, the result is clear – Moreno, a former two-time champion, is no longer in the flyweight title picture.

Moreno is 32 and will need multiple wins to work his way back up to the upper echelon of flyweight. Does he look to build himself back up through fights with Alex Perez, Tagir Ulanbekov, Charles Johnson, and originally scheduled UFC Mexico City opponent Asu Almabayev? Does he move up to bantamweight?

Brandon Moreno and his team need to have an honest conversation.

Marlon Vera

That said, Moreno is still in a better position than Marlon Vera. “Chito” has now lost four straight and five of his last six. His only win since 2023 was the unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz that earned him a bantamweight title shot – one in which he convincingly lost to Sean O’Malley at UFC 299.

This may be a hot take considering Vera’s popularity; however, if Moreno is out of the title picture but still somewhat relevant at flyweight, then “Chito” is no longer relevant at bantamweight. He’ll be very lucky if he’s still ranked in the top-15. And considering his losing streak and his age (33), he’ll probably get matched up with someone unranked next.

And if Vera loses that fight, then we’re talking realistically about the chance Vera probably gets cut by the UFC.

Daniel Zellhuber

Remember when Daniel Zellhuber was a name people had their eye on in 2024? That was the year he defeated Francisco Prado in the UFC Mexico City Fight of the Night in February, and then went on to have the Fight of the Year with Esteban Ribovics that Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 in September.

Even though he lost to Ribovics, it seemed pretty certain that Zellhuber could be considered a future Mexican-born star in the UFC. Now, he’s not only lost three in a row, but he’s lost the goodwill of the fans, and he may just be one fight away from getting the axe, too.

I don’t want to take away from King Green’s incredible run at 39 years old. He’s showing he can still go. But Zellhuber looked lost. Green’s mobility helped him, and he honestly looked faster than Zellhuber at times! When the only thing you have going for you against Green is a buggy choke, you’re in trouble.

Zellhuber was given two veteran opponents to do the classic setup of defeating the notable name to build some momentum, but he looked disappointing and lost both times against Green and Michael Johnson.