The UFC will use Brandon Moreno as its insurance for the UFC 296 flyweight title co-headliner.
Former two-time champion Moreno (21-7-2 MMA, 9-3-2 UFC) is set to serve as the backup fighter for the Dec. 16 title rematch between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
A person with knowledge of the situation verified the news to MMA Junkie following an initial report from Eurosport Nederland. The person requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.