Brandon Moreno Edges Ryan Benoit In TUF 24 Finale Opener
A “Baby Face” and “The Assassin Baby” got the main card of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 24 Finale started under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner. Ryan Benoit (9-5) went toe-to-toe with Brandon Moreno (13-3) inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
It wasn’t easy, but Moreno got the job done.
Immediately, Benoit went for a leg kick. Moreno backed his opponent up with a one-two combination. Benoit’s head kick was blocked and he was taken down near the cage. “Baby Face” was able to return to his feet. Moreno moved in with a combination. Benoit answered with a right hand. “The Assassin Baby” secured another takedown. The fight returned standing and blood trickled down the nose of Benoit. A hard body kick found the mark for “Baby Face.” The two traded leather. Moreno connected with a left hand at the end of the exchange and the round ended shortly after.
Benoit shot in right at the start of the second round. Moreno pushed himself off the fence. A counter left hand landed for “The Assassin Baby.” He followed it up with a combination. A spinning back kick was blocked by Benoit. “Baby Face” dropped Moreno with a left hand to the jaw. Moreno got back up quickly. He completed a takedown. Benoit got back up, but he was dumped to the canvas again. The round ended with Moreno in top control.
Benoit avoided a high kick in the beginning of the final frame. A right hook landed for “Baby Face.” He avoided a takedown attempt. He landed a right hand. He ducked under for a takedown, but thought better of it. A hard left hook landed for Benoit. He threw a superman punch and the two men traded strikes as the final horn sounded.
Once the score totals were read, Moreno was awarded with a split decision victory.
Final Result: Brandon Moreno def. Ryan Benoit via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
