MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today he takes a closer look at the subject. UFC Fight Night 246 main event between Brandon Moreno And Emir Albazi.

Brandon Moreno UFC Fight Night 246 preview

Staple information:

• Record: 21-8-2 MMA, 17-5 UFC
• Height: 5’7″ Age: 30 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 70″
• Last fight: Loss decision to Brandon Royval(February 24, 2024)
• Camp: Team Moreno (Las Vegas/Mexico)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Additional information:
+ Former UFC flyweight champion
+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Multiple grappling compliments
+ 5 knockout victories
+ 11 submissions win
+8 first round finishes
+ Consistent tempo and pressure
+ Correct left hook
^ Stand out or come off the bench
+ Hard leg and head kicks
^ Works well on the front
+ Improved wrestling ability
+ Good pass catcher
^ Solid tackles and submissions

Amir Albazi UFC Fight Night 246 preview

Emir Albazi

Staple information:

• Record: 17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC
• Height: 5’5″ Age: 31 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 68″
• Last fight: Decision win over Kai Kara-France (June 3, 2024)
• Camp: Ready to Fight MMA (Arizona)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Additional information:
+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt
+ Multiple grappling compliments
^ Intro and out of Gi
+ 5 knockout victories
+ 9 submissions win
+9 first round finishes
+ KO power
+ Solid sense of range
^ Good eyes on changes
+ Dangerous right hand
+ Hard leg kicks
+ Solid wrestling ability
+ Excellent pass catcher
^ Excellent back control

Point of interest for Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi: Flyweight fisticuffs

July 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Brandon Moreno (red gloves) fights Alexandre Pantoja (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

In the main event in Edmonton, top-ranked flyweights (autota)Brandon Moreno(/autotag) and Emir Albazi.

Although Albazi was initially a lauded prospect for his combative accolades, the Iraq-born fighter has shown a natural ability to attack since stepping onto the UFC scene.

Albazi thrives when it comes to maintaining an active and educated leader, constantly presenting a misleading or prodding presence.

Offensively, this allows Albazi to connect his punches and build on his previous work by throwing his punches. Defensively, Albazi’s deceptive presence helps draw out his opponent’s reactions, which can lead to some important counter opportunities.

It is always dangerous to be too predictable with your head movements and counter moves. pic.twitter.com/iO7S5UaJWn

— Miguel Class (@MigClass) May 31, 2023

Albazi also appears to have excellent eyes for exchanges, something that certainly contributes to his solid sense of range. I wonder if Albazi controls the foot-kick traffic, but he will also need to be wary of potential counters that may come Moreno’s way.

Originally entering the UFC scene as a struggling fighter, Moreno has matured into a more well-rounded and technically striking threat.

Still only 30 years old, Moreno continues to display an almost unshakable composure, win or lose; as if he was determined to finish the fight stronger than his enemy. But when you look beyond the brief, brash moments that allow his character to shine, you can see a more mature counterplay being played out.

Moreno, who has always favored the left hook (both front and counter), does a much better job of varying both his timing and targets, often working them into one shot. The theme of savvy up front spreads as fluidly for the Mexican fighter, as he adds front-leg kicks to his combinations when he feels Moreno stepping up.

Moreno also has a knack for navigating extended exchanges, but I’m not sure how much he’ll want to do that given the potential level-shifting counters lurking.

Breakdown of Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi: Potential grappling threats

20 August 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Amir Albazi (red gloves) fights Francisco Figueiredo (blue gloves) during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Considering the bulk of Albazi’s game is grappling, don’t be surprised if he’s the first to get into the grappling department.

As mentioned in the previous section, Albazi is a fighter who was initially successful in the grappling arts. A determined competitor, Albazi’s aggression shows itself in the transition period; This also seems to be something he has implemented into his wrestling repertoire.

While Albazi has the athletic ability to shoot in open space, his more effective setups and takedowns appear to be against the fence or in the clinch. I suspect those takedown tools will get even sharper this Saturday, as Albazi appears to have spent this last training camp at Fight Ready MMA.

Luckily, Moreno is no slouch in the Mexican grappling department.

Having started his career as more of a jiu-jitsu fighter, Moreno wisely (offensively) swam towards the wrestling side after receiving the chance to train in America through the UFC’s former developmental program.

Although Moreno still hasn’t progressed beyond knocking over or scoring goals off his back, he has shown plenty of improvement during his first run with the promotion.

Moreno has been much more aggressive on the feet this second round, but he doesn’t seem to be ignoring other parts of the game. When it comes to grappling and grappling matches, Moreno has managed to get to the top of the continentals against some of the division’s best grapplers like Jussier Formiga and Askar Askarov (who he clearly beats in my opinion).

However, when it comes to Moreno’s fight, he may want to choose his spot wisely against a fighter like Albazi.

Albazi is an avid retriever with great control from the back mount. Whether Albazi chooses to lock down his opponents from safer back-riding positions or utilizes crab drives to transition, the Iraq-born fighter does a great job of staying behind his opponent’s knees and elbows whenever possible (a quiet key to look for in good grapplers).

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi rates

Bettors and the public are favoring the former champion, with Moreno listed at -172 and Albazi +134 via FanDuel.

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi prediction, selection

Considering Moreno is the more proven product (overall and over five rounds), it’s not a huge shock to see the Mexican fighter favored at this point. But it’s hard to know exactly where either fighter is at this point in their careers.

Aside from the crazy title fights since the pandemic, Moreno has also gone through numerous camp changes. Albazi, who had to overcome some new health scaresHe also changed his training camp before the competition.

The larger octagon and 25-minute time slot should favor Moreno on paper, but I worry the Mexican fighter’s cage position puts him in prime operating space for Albazi.

Although Moreno can’t help but step on the gas and take his own initiative, he traditionally likes to counter and can be pushed to play between the fence and the inner black octagon lines.

If Moreno allows Albazi to take the initiative early, then I suspect Albazi will be able to take the former champion’s hooks out and get off takedown entries across the cage to bank some early rounds. And if Albazi shows the tempo improvements that typically come with second moves in five-round matches, then I believe we will be in for a competitive fight from start to finish.

While I usually opt for more proven products, I’m finding myself straying from my usual trends given how awful my choices have been this year. As a Moreno fan, I don’t mind being wrong, but I’ll half-reluctantly side with Albazi to avoid another decision by tackling more effectively and making more flashy shots.

Guess: Albazi decision

Brandon Moreno vs. When and where will the Amir Albazi match be watched?

As the main event, Moreno and Albazi are expected to make their march to the octagon at approximately 10:45 PM ET. Fight broadcasts continue ESPN+.

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub. UFC Fight Night 246.