Brandon Moreno Books Charles Johnson for UFC 335 Return in December

Brandon Moreno wanted one more fight before the calendar flipped, and he's getting it. The former flyweight champion is expected to face Charles Johnson at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, according to multiple people with knowledge of the booking. It's the promotion's last major card of 2026, and Moreno gets to close the year exactly where he asked to be.

The context matters here. Moreno, ranked #9 at flyweight with a 24-10-2 record, snapped a two-fight skid last month by outpointing Joseph Morales at Noche UFC 3. That win didn't just steady the ship — it clearly reset his appetite, and he made his interest in a quick turnaround known almost immediately.

Why This Booking Makes Sense

Johnson, 35, is the kind of live-dog matchup that suits a rebuilding ex-champ. He's alternated wins and losses across his last six trips to the Octagon, a stretch that includes victories over Lone'er Kavanagh, Bruno Silva and Eduardo Chapolin. Consistency isn't his calling card, but he's beaten legitimate names and now gets a former titleholder in front of him.

For Moreno, the styling tells the story of his career. Eleven of his 24 wins have come by submission — grappling is his engine, not the five knockouts that barely register on his ledger. If he wants to stack a second straight victory and edge back up a stacked 125-pound ladder, controlling where this fight happens will be the difference.

What's Actually at Stake

This isn't a title eliminator, and nobody's pretending otherwise. But a clean win over a durable veteran keeps Moreno relevant in a division that's moved on without him for now, and it gives him momentum heading into 2027. Lose to a fighter outside the top ranks, though, and the conversation about where the former champ stands gets a lot louder.

The rest of the UFC 335 lineup is still taking shape, but the Vegas date and venue are locked. Expect Moreno-Johnson to slot in as one of the card's featured attractions when the full sheet comes together.