Angry fans hurled food, beer, and plastic cups at a UFC star. Security had to escort him out the arena.
Brandon Moreno settled his rivalry in style against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 and was pelted with beer for his efforts.
Photo by Getty Images
- Angry fans hurled objects at a UFC champion Saturday.
- Brandon Moreno settled a four-fight rivalry with a big win over hometown hero Deiveson Figueiredo.
- Security had to escort Moreno out of the venue.
Event security was forced to shield Brandon Moreno from projectiles after the Mexican MMA fighter won a bout in a hostile environment, against Brazil star Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283.
It all went down Saturday at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
Moreno and Figueiredo's flyweight championship fight served as the co-main event for a 15-fight card, and brought an end to a four-fight rivalry.
The final installment in the saga was a conclusive one as Moreno forced a third-round doctor's stoppage, winning the saga by a comfortable 2-1-1 scoreline, after Figueiredo couldn't see out of his right eye.
'Oh my God, oh my God!'
Photo by Getty Images
Following the official announcement, Moreno required an escort out of the venue as angry fans tried to hurl food, beer, and plastic cups at the fighter.
In video footage that ESPN broadcast on the UFC pay-per-view, a commentator can be heard saying: "And now he is getting ushered out of the arena. Oh my God, oh my God!"
The drama did not stop there
Photo by UFC / ESPN
Despite concluding one rivalry, Moreno appeared happy to begin another as he engaged No. 2-ranked flyweight Alexandre Pantoja in an altercation backstage.
Moreno told reporters Saturday that things started off just fine, yet switched midway through their conversation.
"He came to me and said, 'Hey, man, today I feel so happy for you, congrats for the belt,' whatever, and at that point everything was fine," detailed the 29-year-old UFC champion.
"Then he started to ask me like, 'When is our fight? In two months? Three months? Tell me right now!' Like, I don't know to be honest.
"Then he started to look a little bit aggressive, but my only point was let me enjoy it today. Give me today.
"Let me have this moment with my friends, with my training partners, with my wife, with my manager and then we can make [a fight] with social media and trash talk, if you want, but give me this moment.
"That was my only point."
Victory at the weekend advanced Moreno's pro MMA record to 21 wins (five knockouts, 11 submissions, and five decisions) against six losses and two draws.
A UFC flyweight title fight between Moreno and Pantoja may well be next.