(Hat tip to MMA Junkie for the Spanish to English translation)
The pressure that professional athletes face these days, where nearly every move they make in and out of competition is finely scrutinized, analyzed and picked apart on social media, is intense. It's particularly intense for a fighter, who stands alone in front of the world while not only battling another trained and skilled athlete but also while dealing with their own personal demons.
And that's why kudos are due former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who recognized when enough was enough and said in a Spanish video post to Instagram Monday that he's decided to take a mental health break from competition.
Moreno owes no one in the MMA industry a thing other than his wife and family. He's making the best move for himself and his loved ones and no one could possibly argue with it. He didn't put a time frame on it but did say, "This is by no means a goodbye."
He left his sabbatical open-ended, as he should, so that he takes the time he needs to make certain he's healthy, happy and fit to compete to the best of his ability.
Moreno has lost two in a row and three of his last five bouts.
“I think with all the technical aspect things aside, I think I’m just tired," Moreno said. "I’m tired of the media, the same questions, the vibe, the constant pressure. I don’t even think it’s a single moment anymore. I think it’s everything I’ve piled on my shoulders in the last few years. I’ve reached a point where my mind is stressed, and I just want to rest a bit. I’m not saying I’m 100 percent stepping away from MMA, but I do want to take a break to rest, be with my family and just be a normal person, be with my daughters, and just do new things. There are many things I haven’t done because I’m 100 percent focused on my training. I just want to rest a bit."
UFC CEO Dana White applauded Moreno for recognizing what was going on and opting to step aside.
He said Moreno has accomplished a lot and should take time to revel in his success.
"Fighters know their bodies and what they are capable of doing and not doing," White said. "He’s made a great life for himself and he should take some time off and enjoy it."
Moreno is a great rags to riches story and is an example of what talent mixed with persistence, determination and an unyielding work ethic can do. He first signed with the UFC in 2016 when he competed in The Ultimate Fighter, where he was beaten by current flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in the tournament.
When he officially joined the UFC, he won his first three fights, but then dropped back-to-back bouts to Sergio Pettis and Pantoja and was cut. He was away for one fight and then returned and turned himself into a champion.
Since his return, he's gone 6-3-2 and had two stints as UFC flyweight champion
"I’m thankful for the beautiful moment because that walk to the octagon in Arena CDMX [in February] was super cool," Moreno said. "It was something special and very beautiful because the last time I was there was in 2019, and people already knew who I was, and I was getting cheered, but you can’t compare it to this time. Everyone was supporting me and singing my song, and it was beautiful. At the same time, it also frustrates me a bit because I tried so hard to win.
"The camp was very good. I managed to stay away from injuries, and I was able to work very well. I put all my heart to get the win, and it didn’t happen. I now have two consecutive losses, but they’re two weird losses. Those are losses where you can make an argument that I won. Obviously, at the end of the day, a loss is a loss. Even though one guy left to the hospital and the other had to be taken out on a wheelchair out of the arena, I still didn’t get the win. So based on that, there’s work to do.”
He deserves bundles of credit for recognizing there is a problem and taking steps to deal with it.
He was ranked No. 2 at flyweight when he made the announcement Monday. The UFC updates its rankings on Tuesday.