Alexandre Pantoja Standing in Brandon Moreno’s Way at UFC 290

“I promise fireworks.”

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Alexandre Pantoja has already defeated Brandon Moreno. Can he do it again with the flyweight title on the line?

Moreno defends the belt against Pantoja in the co-main of UFC 290 this Saturday, seeking to avoid suffering the same indignity from their fight in 2018–and, additionally, from their bout two years prior on The Ultimate Fighter–when Pantoja had his hand raised.

“I’ve lost this title before, and I remember feeling empty without it,” says Moreno (21-6-2), who is in his second reign as flyweight champ. “It was then I remembered why I wanted it so bad. I haven’t lost sight of that now that I’m champion again. I’m still motivated, I’m still hungry.”

Pantoja (25-5) is not the most recognizable fighter in the UFC. But a lack of notoriety should not mask the fact he is a high-level, extremely skilled technician in the cage.

Now 33, Pantoja has won six of his nine bouts in the Octagon. Yet none of those victories had the same gravity as the one currently in front of him.

“I come from a very poor place in Brazil,” says Pantoja. “Now I live in America. I own my house. My kids speak English better than me, and my wife is next to me all the time. I already love my life, but the belt will put me on another level. I want to take it to the next step as champion.”

Moreno and Pantoja are very similar fighters. Both like to fight with their hands and grapple. Grit and grind are two characteristics they share, and the two should combine for a very competitive bout.

“This fight, it’s 50-50,” says Pantoja. “Moreno is one of the best in the UFC. He’s even better now than he was when we fought. I know this won’t be easy. That’s why I’ve worked so hard for this. When you work for something, you can do it. That’s what I am going to prove.”

Pantoja has yet to lose to Moreno, though he has no gold to show for it. That changes with a life-changing victory at 290. For Moreno, his focus is avenging the prior defeats and then moving on to a much higher-profile bout against former flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.

“I’m not thinking about anyone other than Pantoja,” says Moreno, who opted not to discuss Moreno. “Everything else is in the future.

“I lost to Pantoja. I can’t change that. The only thing I can do is what I do after every loss, and that is to use the experience to make me better. I’m a whole different fighter from the last time we fought. I know he’s different too, but I’m focused on myself. I don’t like talking about it. I want to go out there and prove it.”

UFC 290 could be Pantoja’s breakout moment. Yet there is a growing sense that their trajectories are trending in opposite directions.

Pantoja already had his moments against Moreno. This time, Moreno is ready to exact his revenge by keeping his title.

“I promise fireworks,” says Moreno. “Pantoja is going to be 100 percent prepared, just like me, and I am going to show you something different.”

Bo Nickal stays on UFC 290 card, will have new opponent

Bo Nickal will open UFC 290 main card against Val Woodburn. Largely anonymous in the fight 48 hours ago, Woodburn has been thrust into the limelight of the biggest card of the summer.

The middleweight bout was supposed to be Nickal against Tresean Gore, but Gore bowed out after suffering a a torn ligament in his wrist. Now it turns into a battle of undefeated fighters, with Nickal (4-0) seeking to keep his hype alive and well against Woodburn (7-0).

Nickal already became the biggest betting favorite in UFC history at -2500 to beat Woodburn, further reinforcing the decision by Woodburn to take the fight. Nickal is expected to win, meaning Woodburn has absolutely nothing to lose.

A telling point for this fight will be whether Nickal exerts his will on the ground with his wrestling. That should happen quickly, but there will plenty of reason for excitement if it doesn't.

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.