Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France II Review

UFC 277 was a proud showcase of Latin American UFC talent, culminating in the people’s main event: Brandon Moreno v Kai Kara-France II.

In the blaring Mexican represented Dallas, Texas, Brandon marched to the rhythm of his walkout music,  ‘Corrido del Bebe Asesino’ where he awaited the war-faced Kai. With all the anticipation of the world, the crowd and viewers at home were ready to see the New Zealander and Mexican create legendary entertainment.

Round One

With the new camp at Glory MMA and the help of boxing trainer Jorge Capetillo, Moreno and his team had modified his stance, to effectively respond to leg kicks he had struggled with in his last bout of the trilogy with Deiveson. Moreno showcased excellent vision and timing this round leaving the leg outside the range of the New Zealander’s low kick.

A break in the action occurs after a kick to the groin by Kara-France, but with all the will to get back in there and apply pressure, Moreno only takes 38 seconds.

The main weapons the Mexican utilized this round were his jab, lead hook and rear straight. Moreno side steps around the octagon in rhythm to Kara France. When Moreno spears into Kara France , the new Zealander has no option but back up directly to the cage, and exit the direction moreno wants.

Moreno takes Kara-France’s overhand right clean, which has him likely dazed but enough wits about him to get to cage wrestling with Kara-France. Kai, well tested off his last bout with Askar Askarov, is up as soon as he feels his opening.

Round Two

While the first round showed us Moreno prepared and vigilant against leg kicks, Kara-France answers back by attempting more leg kicks and finding success landing on Morenos outside and inside legs.

Kai used the signal of Moreno’s jab to land stinging kicks and dissuade the planting of the lead foot. Kara-France goes to high kick off his opponent’s jab but instead finds himself pushed up against the cage fighting a body lock. Moreno unable to start any meaningful grappling attack, he lets Kara-France up off against the cage and strikes off the break of contact and returning to the center of the cage, poising their next method of attack.  

Kara-France telegraphs right hand that Moreno ducks under, grabs Kai’s legs and trips him to the mat which Kai immediately rebounds with had arm extended to catch himself on the mat. Moreno attacks off the break again, targeting Kai’s head with a powerful switch kick

Moreno throws a kick targeting Kara-France’s head, in which the New Zealander responds in rhythm with opponent to kick the Mexican’s only standing leg, toppling him to the mat. Regaining his composure, Moreno pops back up aware of Kara-France’s incoming strikes.

Both men end the round trading powerful combinations.

Round Three

Kai intercepts another kick by Moreno, tripping him right into the full guard position on the mat. While Moreno works for possible triangle or armbar setups, Kara-France prioritizes ground and pound to open a wide gash on Moreno’s face. On the feet, Kara-France is having success timing his right hand and leg kicks, a clear reflection of his growth of confidence in his weapons.

In response to the success of Kara-France, Moreno changes the main trajectory of his solid switch kick from the head to the body, in which he lands multiple through the round. Moreno pounced on Kara-France as he was reeling and covering up from the pain of the body strike, forcing Herb Dean to end the fight within the last minute. Brandon Moreno becomes the new Interim Flyweight Champion.

Despite the adrenaline of the win, Moreno in the face of his Flyweight rival was only focused on being a solid example for his daughters at home. Moreno tells Figueiredo,

“I forgive you. Please forgive me if I did something bad against you. I want to fight in December.”

With a heart and belt of gold Moreno and Figueiredo embrace to solidify the tetralogy projected to happen at the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023.