Remembering UFC 263: The Night Israel Adesanya and Brandon Moreno Made History
Remember when the UFC was still figuring out how to operate in the COVID era? On June 12, 2021, the promotion delivered one of the most memorable pay-per-views of that strange period with UFC 263. Three years ago today, we witnessed career-defining moments that still resonate in the sport.
The Night Arizona Exploded for Championship Glory
Man, that night in Glendale was electric. The Gila River Arena packed with fans hungry for live action after months of watching fights in the empty UFC APEX facility. I still remember the roar when local hero Brandon Moreno entered the octagon – it felt like the building might collapse.
UFC 263 marked just the third pay-per-view since the promotion’s return to full-capacity arenas, and you could feel that pent-up energy from both fighters and fans. The card delivered in ways few expected.
Israel Adesanya’s Masterclass Against Marvin Vettori
The main event rematch between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori wasn’t particularly close, but it was fascinating. Coming off his first career loss in his light heavyweight experiment against Jan Blachowicz, questions swirled about Adesanya’s confidence.
Those questions? Answered emphatically.
Adesanya picked apart the Italian challenger for five rounds, never allowing Vettori’s wrestling to become a significant factor. The striking differential was brutal – Izzy landing with precision while making Vettori swing at shadows. The unanimous decision victory reasserted Adesanya’s middleweight dominance in a way that set up his later rivalry with Alex Pereira.
Brandon Moreno Makes Mexican MMA History
If you want to talk about magical MMA moments, Brandon Moreno’s flyweight championship victory over Deiveson Figueiredo has to rank among the best. Their first fight ended in a draw, but the rematch wasn’t even close.
Moreno dominated from the opening bell, showing improved striking and grappling before securing a third-round rear-naked choke. The image of Moreno, overwhelmed with emotion as he became the first Mexican-born UFC champion, remains one of the most heartwarming scenes in recent UFC history.
“I’m so fucking happy!” he exclaimed through tears in his post-fight interview, a raw emotional moment that connected with fans worldwide.
The Diaz Factor: Nate’s Last Stand?
UFC 263 also featured what many thought might be Nate Diaz’s final UFC appearance (though he would fight once more before leaving for boxing). His five-round special attraction against Leon Edwards was classic Diaz – absorbing punishment for 24 minutes before nearly pulling off a miracle finish in the final minute.
Edwards dominated but nearly got caught when Diaz rocked him with a left hand late. The arena went absolutely nuts as Diaz, blood streaming down his face, pointed at Edwards and stalked him around the cage. Edwards survived, but Diaz, even in defeat, somehow enhanced his legend.
Ironically, that near-finish by Diaz would foreshadow Edwards’ own last-minute knockout of Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title a year later.
Why UFC 263 Still Matters Three Years Later
Looking back, UFC 263 represents a pivotal moment in several careers:
- For Adesanya, it was proof he could bounce back from adversity
- For Moreno, it launched him into stardom as a UFC ambassador in Mexico
- For Edwards, it was another step toward his eventual championship
- For Diaz, it showcased why his never-say-die attitude made him a fan favorite
The event also featured Belal Muhammad’s victory over Demian Maia, Paul Craig’s gruesome armbar of Jamahal Hill (who would later become light heavyweight champion), and Movsar Evloev continuing his climb up the featherweight ranks.
The Legacy of UFC 263
Three years removed, UFC 263 stands as one of those cards that exceeded expectations. While not as historically significant as something like UFC 200 or UFC 229, it delivered compelling stories, technical brilliance, and emotional highs that remind us why we love this sport.
The careers of several fighters on that card continue to evolve – Moreno and Figueiredo would complete their trilogy (and add a fourth fight), Adesanya would face new challengers like Pereira and Strickland, and Edwards would ascend to championship status.
For Arizona MMA fans, it remains one of the most significant events ever hosted in the state, a night when championship gold was contested in their backyard.
What’s Your Favorite Memory from UFC 263?
Were you lucky enough to attend in person? Did you watch with friends? Let me know in the comments which moment from UFC 263 stands out most in your memory. Was it Moreno’s emotional victory, Adesanya’s technical brilliance, or Diaz’s last-minute scare that nearly flipped the script?
Three years later, UFC 263 reminds us why we love this sport – the human drama, technical excellence, and unpredictable moments that keep us coming back for more.
Source: Bloody Elbow