“The Mexican people in Anaheim, in that area, in all of Los Angeles, it’s incredible. So many Mexican people there. I can feel their support right now,” Brandon Moreno reflected in 2022 at UFC 270, expressing gratitude for the immense love and backing he received from the Mexican and Hispanic communities in California, especially in Anaheim. This was a place where Mexican fans came together to cheer on their homegrown fighter in his title bout. Though the fight ended in infamy for Moreno as he lost via decision, the event still radiated a sense of “good vibes.”

With ‘The Assassin Baby’ soaking in the energy of a hometown crowd, despite being in America, it’s easy to imagine how electric the atmosphere would have been if his fight had taken place in his home country of Mexico. That very energy was palpable today when the UFC returned to Mexico City for its 7th outing, UFC on ESPN 64. The event, featuring a stacked 12-fight card headlined by Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg, delivered unforgettable moments throughout the night. We’ve narrowed down the top 5 moments from the event. Let’s dive in!

Brandon Moreno’s triumphant victory in the main event

The record would undoubtedly have been even more memorable if it had been a fight between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo, marking a perfect night for Latin America. However, it was a different clash on this night–the Australian, Steve Erceg, facing off against the Mexican local hero Moreno, in front of his passionate home crowd. ‘The Assassin Baby’ wasn’t just fighting to impress the fans; he was hoping to use this win as a stepping stone to secure one final opportunity to challenge the reigning champion, Alexandre Pantoja, in the coming months.

As the fight unfolded, both men exchanged strikes early on, but as the rounds progressed, Brandon Moreno began to land some powerful combinations. Meanwhile, Steve Erceg struggled to find his rhythm and land clean shots. In the second round, Erceg seemed to gain some momentum with a strong kick, but the third round was slower, with both fighters taking their time.

It was in the fourth and fifth rounds that the Mexican seized control, turning the tide in his favor. The judges ultimately scored the fight in his favor with a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46). This victory marked Brandon Moreno’s first win in Mexico City. Now, let’s take a look at another unforgettable moment from the Fight Night event.

Manuel Torres’ stunning first-round TKO

Despite his inexperience inside the UFC, lightweight contender Manuel Torres entered his fight as the underdog against Drew Dober, a fighter with 26 Octagon appearances. However, ‘El Loco’ quickly made a name for himself as the night’s standout winner. Coming off a knockout loss, Torres faced Dober, who was also on a two-fight losing streak. From the very first round, Torres’ intentions were clear. The 30-year-old aggressively attacked with a variety of strikes, while Dober attempted to defend by grabbing Torres’ leg.

Torres then unleashed 15 consecutive punches, leaving Dober unable to respond, which led the referee Mike Beltran to stop the fight. ‘El Loco’ claimed victory by knockout in the first round at 1:45 seconds, gifting himself a birthday win after turning 30 earlier that week. Torres’ dominant performance at UFC Mexico City highlighted his potential as a rising star in the promotion, showcasing his impressive striking skills.

Edgar Chairez’s impressive submission win

Intense action and deeply emotional moments, revealing the fighters’ personal struggles, filled the flyweight bout between Edgar Chairez and CJ Vergara at UFC Mexico. ‘Puro Chicali’, coming off a loss and holding a 2-3-1 record in his last UFC appearances, was determined to earn a victory, especially after being initially placed on the prelims. When the middleweight bout between Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer fell through, the Mexican was moved to the main card, an opportunity he seized.

Edgar Chairez made the most of his chance, showcasing a well-rounded skill set. In the first round, he secured a rear-naked choke on Vergara, earning the submission victory. As the celebration began, ‘Puro Chicali’ was overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears as he remembered his late grandfather. He passed away shortly after funding the fighter’s surgery and medical expenses by selling his truck, ensuring Chairez could continue his fight career. The emotional moment resonated deeply with fans, leaving an unforgettable impact on the crowd.

Raul Rosas Jr.’s hard-fought unanimous decision

This was more than just an ordinary fight—it was a bantamweight clash between two generations: Millennial vs. Gen Z. Raul Rosas Jr., one of the youngest fighters ever to be signed by the UFC, is now 20 years old with an impressive 5 wins in the UFC (11-1-0 overall). Coming off a victory at UFC 306 in Riyadh, where he dominated Aoriqileng in a tough three-round battle, ‘El Niño Problema’ faced Vince Morales, who was on a four-fight losing streak.

The Mexican wasted no time, opening the fight with a powerful takedown, slamming Morales to the mat, and controlling the action throughout the first round. However, as the round ended, the pressure mounted on the young Mexican fighter. In the third round, Morales relentlessly attempted several submission holds on Raul Rosas Jr., but the 20-year-old showed his resilience, escaping each time. After a 15-minute battle, the judges awarded Rosas Jr. a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). This win not only solidifies his potential in the bantamweight division but also cements ‘El Niño Problema’ as a rising star in the UFC.

David Martínez’s first-round TKO via knee and punches

The bantamweight showdown between David Martinez and Saimon Oliveira was one of the most electrifying moments of the night, earning a spot as the second main card bout and delivering a knockout for the ages. For ‘Black Spartan’, UFC Mexico City marked his highly anticipated debut inside the Octagon. After earning his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, the 26-year-old didn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity to fight in his hometown. His opponent, Oliveira, a fellow DWCS graduate from 2021, was still searching for his first UFC win and entered the fight on a two-fight losing streak.

The Mexican wasted no time in making his presence known, opening with a rapid combination of strikes that set the tone. As Oliveira attempted to move back, David Martinez capitalized with a brutal knee to the midsection, knocking Oliveira to the canvas. Once his opponent was down, ‘Black Spartan’ swarmed him with powerful hammer fists until the referee stepped in to halt the action at 4:38 of the first round.

With that devastating technical knockout, Martinez delivered a spectacular debut and firmly stamped his name as one to watch in the bantamweight division. Now, we’ve wrapped up our list of the top 5 moments from UFC Mexico City. What do you think of our picks? Are there any other fights that deserve a spot on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!