Top Lightweight Calls Out UFC Rankings Panel ‘Bulls***’ After Renato Moicano Victory

Top Lightweight Calls Out UFC Rankings Panel 'Bulls***' After Renato Moicano VictoryRenato Moicano is pissed and he’s letting the UFC’s rankings panel know it. Last weekend, ‘Money’ walked into UFC…

Top Lightweight Calls Out UFC Rankings Panel 'Bulls***' After Renato Moicano Victory

Renato Moicano is pissed and he’s letting the UFC’s rankings panel know it.

Last weekend, ‘Money’ walked into UFC Paris as the No. 11 ranked lightweight in the world. After delivering an absolutely dominant performance against Benoit Saint-Denis in enemy territory and forcing a doctor’s stoppage following the second round, Moicano still finds himself stuck outside of the division’s top 10 rankings.

Renato Moicano

With no 50k bonus for his performance and no move up the rankings, the Brazilian is feeling understandably cheated and decided to vent his frustration via a series of posts on X explaining why he deserves a spot far closer to the top five than where he appears to be stuck at.

Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano

“If UFC Rankings Aren’t Total Bullsh*t, I Should Be Ranked #6 in the Lightweight Division Tomorrow,” Moicano wrote. “Why? In the last 8 months, I’ve fought 3 times and I’m on a 6-fight win streak in the lightweight division, with 5 stoppages.

Yet, ranked above me are:

#10 Max Holloway: A legend, but he’s a 145 and will be facing Topuria for the featherweight belt at UFC 308. Even if he loses, his spot in the lightweight rankings makes no sense. He just beat Gaethje, so if anything, he should be ranked #3. I’d gladly take #7 if that was case.

#9 Rafael Fiziev: Coming off 2 losses to Mateusz Gamrot and Justin Gaethje. His last fight was in September 2023. #8 Mateusz Gamrot: Coming off a loss to Dan Hooker in August 2024. #7 Beneil Dariush: Coming off 2 losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. His last fight was in December 2023.

#7 Beneil Dariush: Coming off 2 losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. His last fight was in December 2023. #6 Michael Chandler: If anyone doesn’t deserve this spot, it’s Michael Chandler. He’s 2-3 in the UFC, coming off a loss to Dustin Poirier in November 2022. Since then, he’s been sitting out, waiting for Conor McGregor’s return, and only now decided to fight Charles Oliveira.

“There’s no way I’m not #6 in the lightweight division right now.”

Renato Moicano eyes clash with UFC’s fifth-ranked lightweight, Dan Hooker

If Moicano is trying to find the fastest way to a top-five ranking, Dan Hooker is probably his best option. Following a couple of big wins over Jalin Turn and Mateusz Gamrot, ‘The Hangman’ finds himself as the fifth-ranked contender in the division and a prime target for anyone looking to break in.

Moicano and Hooker have already agreed to a scrap after exchanging some unpleasantries on social media. Now it’s just a matter of drawing up the contracts.

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Dan Hooker Makes Plans To Earn Conor McGregor Fight At BKFC Event In Spain

After making his way back into the top rankings in the lightweight division, Dan Hooker is looking to pick the right fight this time around. “Hangman” admitted after this recent win over Mateusz Gamrot that the last time he was in this position, he made a mistake by agreeing to face Michael Chandler in less […]

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Makes Plans To Earn Conor McGregor Fight At BKFC Event In Spain at MMA News.

After making his way back into the top rankings in the lightweight division, Dan Hooker is looking to pick the right fight this time around.

“Hangman” admitted after this recent win over Mateusz Gamrot that the last time he was in this position, he made a mistake by agreeing to face Michael Chandler in less than ideal circumstances.

Now he’s wanting to secure the fight that will put him into title contention, unless of course, something bigger comes around.

Conor McGregor is without an opponent for his return now that Chandler will be facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, next month.

Hooker, who would be more than happy to be the Irishman’s dance partner, just so happens to be in the same place as him next week.

Dan Hooker Says He’s Hoping To See If Conor McGregor Wants The Fight When He’s In Spain

McGregor is sure to be in attendance at the BKFC show in Marbella, Spain on October 12, after becoming a part owner of the promotion earlier this year.

Hooker recently stated on an episode of Fox Sports’ mainevent that he will also be making the trip over.

The City Kickboxing fighter had previously said that he would be cornering his friend Oscar Willis from The Mac Life in his bare-knuckle debut on that card.

Considering that they’re likely to be in the same room, Hooker said that he may try to get a quick word in with the Irishman before heading back home.

“I know that I’ve got a big fight coming up next but I am actually heading over to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships in Spain next week which Conor McGregor so happens to own. So yeah, by the end of next week, hopefully get a chance to either just have a word to him and see if he’s interested in the fight.”

Read also: Israel Adesanya Opens Up On Viral Car Altercation: ‘Within An Hour I Found Out Where He Lived…’

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Makes Plans To Earn Conor McGregor Fight At BKFC Event In Spain at MMA News.

Renato Moicano and Dan Hooker Agree to Matchup in “Easy Money” Showdown

Renato Moicano and Dan Hooker Agree to Matchup in "Easy Money" ShowdownRenato Moicano and Dan Hooker have agreed to an “easy money” matchup against one another. Last weekend, Moicano earned…

Renato Moicano and Dan Hooker Agree to Matchup in "Easy Money" Showdown

Renato Moicano and Dan Hooker have agreed to an “easy money” matchup against one another.

Last weekend, Moicano earned a big win over Benoit Saint-Denis in the UFC Paris headliner, pummeling the ‘God of War’ in the opening round so badly that the cageside physician was forced to step in and suggest the bout be stopped immediately following the second stanza. It was a big moment for ‘Money Moicano.’

And then he got his paycheck.

With the event taking place in France, Moicano was subject to a significantly higher tax rate than what he would have been hit with competing stateside. After expressing his frustration over the taxation, Dan Hooker chimed in and suggested that Moicano used a similar excuse for ducking a fight against him in Perth, Australia.

Renato Moicano

Moicano denied that he was ever offered the fight, but suggested the two lightweight contenders can settle things in Las Vegas later this year. It didn’t take long for ‘The Hangman’ to accept.

Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano

Renato Moicano frustrated by UFC ranking following dominant win in paris

After dropping four out of five between 2020 and 2022, Dan Hooker has seen somewhat of a career resurgence inside the Octagon. ‘The Hangman’ has won three straight fights, including a pair of big decision victories over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. As a result, Hooker is now sitting as the No. 5 ranked contender in the lightweight division and could be one big win away from a shot at the division’s top dog, Islam Makhachev.

Meanwhile, Renato Moicano has won four in a row. Before stepping into the UFC Paris main event, ‘Money’ was just outside the lightweight top 10 at No. 11. Despite his dominant performance in The City of Light, Moicano is still ranked at 11 — something he was understandably frustrated by.

Renato Moicano

“That’s the first time I see somebody destroy their opponent and don’t get up on the rankings… I guess MMA journalists love macron too,” Moicano wrote on X.

Dan Hooker campaigns to fight Conor McGregor in UFC return: ‘We have to send each other beers’

Dan Hooker campaigns to fight Conor McGregor in UFC return: 'We have to send each other beers'Surging lightweight contender, Dan Hooker has once more welcomed the chance to take on former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor…

Dan Hooker campaigns to fight Conor McGregor in UFC return: 'We have to send each other beers'

Surging lightweight contender, Dan Hooker has once more welcomed the chance to take on former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor in his eventual return to the UFC — claiming a rescheduled pairing with Michael Chandler now does nothing for the Dubliner.

Hooker, who returned to the lightweight top-5 rankings last month, managed to do so off the back of an impressive split decision win over Polish challenger, Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 304 in Australia.

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As for McGregor, the former undisputed lightweight champion and featherweight gold holder saw a scheduled pairing with Chandler fall to the wayside back in June after fracturing a toe ahead of a welterweight clash in the main event of UFC 303.

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And with the Missouri veteran since booking a return to the Octagon before the end of the year, McGregor has been left opponent-less with the former Bellator MMA star taking on former champion, Charles Oliveira in a five round rematch in the co-main event of UFC 309.

Dan Hooker offers to fight Conor McGregor in return to the UFC

Staking his claim for a title eliminator with Dublin counter-striker, McGregor next, Kiwi striker, Hooker claimed he would be the ideal opponent to face the ex-champion in his immediate return to competition.

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“He’s (Conor McGregor) without a fight,” Dan Hooker told Submission Radio. “I know Conor’s hungry to fight, and fight someone that he can get something from and make a lot of sense. That’s why I feel like (Michael) Chandler kind of sitting there and waiting, he — and not staying active, you kind of loose. Like what does he get out of Chandler. He doesn’t even get in the — he knocks out Michael CHandler in the first round, Conor McGregor doesn’t even get in that top five off of that performance.

That’s a stipulation of the fight, we have to send each other drinking beers every single day of fight camp,” Dan Hooker joked. “We have to — we have to both agree to both agree. We maybe, we can get a breathalyzer, we can send each other a failed breathalyzer test every day of fight camp and we’ll get this thing squared away.”

Dan Hooker Lays Down Beer-Related Stipulation To Fight Conor McGregor As Michael Chandler Matchup ‘Stopped Making Sense’

Michael Chandler finally moving past the Conor McGregor fight to take on Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 is bound to shake up the UFC lightweight division. Ahead of the return of the former title challenger, Dan Hooker has also emerged as a new contender with three straight wins. Hooker has returned to the top five […]

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Lays Down Beer-Related Stipulation To Fight Conor McGregor As Michael Chandler Matchup ‘Stopped Making Sense’ at MMA News.

Michael Chandler finally moving past the Conor McGregor fight to take on Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 is bound to shake up the UFC lightweight division. Ahead of the return of the former title challenger, Dan Hooker has also emerged as a new contender with three straight wins.

Hooker has returned to the top five lightweight rankings and claims to be more serious than ever about earning a title shot. He wouldn’t risk going into fights injured or without proper training. “The Hangman” is open to money fights with the likes of McGregor as well.

Here’s why Hooker thinks it makes more sense for McGregor to fight him than Chandler but the Dubliner must fulfill a unique condition…

Dan Hooker Expects Him And Conor McGregor To Drink Beers Every Day During Their Fight Camps

Hooker opened up on the current state of the UFC lightweight division in an interview on the Submission Radio YouTube channel recently. He explained that after a nearly two-year-long layoff, the Chandler matchup wasn’t intriguing enough for McGregor.

Beating Chandler wouldn’t have helped the Irishman claim a title shot or even enter the top five UFC lightweight rankings. So, Hooker suggests that fighting a top ranked and active lightweight like himself is a more sensible option for “The Notorious” at this point.

“He’s without a fight. I know Conor’s hungry to fight, um, and fight someone that he can get something from and make a lot of sense. That’s why I feel like Chandler kind of sitting there and waiting, he, and not staying active, you kind of lose. Like what does he get out of Chandler. He doesn’t even get in the… he knocks out Michael Chandler in the first round, Conor McGregor doesn’t even get in the top five off of that performance. So, therefore, like, it doesn’t. It stopped making sense for Conor McGregor to fight Michael Chandler.”

Hooker also admitted he’d be more than happy to fight McGregor. He remembered that there’s no bad blood between the two and stylistically, their bout would be quite entertaining for fans of striking and violence.

“The Hangman” joked (or maybe not) about the stipulation he’ll lay down for fighting McGregor. Both fighters must prove that they’ve been drinking beers every day of fight camp or they show failed breathalyzer tests daily.

“That’s a stipulation of the fight, we have to send each other drinking beers every single day of fight camp. We have to, we have to both agree to both agree. We maybe, we can get a breathalyzer, we can send each other a failed breathalyzer test every day of fight camp and we’ll get this thing squared away.”

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Lays Down Beer-Related Stipulation To Fight Conor McGregor As Michael Chandler Matchup ‘Stopped Making Sense’ at MMA News.

Dan Hooker: ‘Master Of Mental Warfare’ O’Malley Getting Under Dvalishvili’s Skin

Dan Hooker recently noted that Sean O’Malley is expertly playing mind games with Merab Dvalishvili in the build-up to their Noche UFC 306 clash. “Sugar” is slated for his second UFC bantamweight title defense, where he’ll square off against Dvalishvili in the headlining bout of the highly anticipated pay-per-view event, set for this Saturday at […]

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: ‘Master Of Mental Warfare’ O’Malley Getting Under Dvalishvili’s Skin at MMA News.

Dan Hooker recently noted that Sean O’Malley is expertly playing mind games with Merab Dvalishvili in the build-up to their Noche UFC 306 clash.

“Sugar” is slated for his second UFC bantamweight title defense, where he’ll square off against Dvalishvili in the headlining bout of the highly anticipated pay-per-view event, set for this Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

O’Malley claimed the 135-pound title with a knockout victory over Dvalishvili’s teammate and close ally, Aljamain Sterling, at UFC 292 in August 2023. He went on to defend his belt in dazzling style against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, putting on a striking masterclass for the full 25 minutes to avenge the lone blemish on his UFC record.

The 29-year-old Montana native has consistently torn through his competition with his extraordinary fighting style, as evidenced by the nine performance bonuses he’s racked up in just 12 Octagon appearances. In addition to his high-caliber skill set, O’Malley is equally adept at using his charisma and quick wit to engage in verbal sparring outside the cage.

“The Hangman” believes it’s O’Malley’s silver tongue that truly sets him apart, as he skillfully uses his sharp words to rattle his opponents, with Dvalishvili now falling into the same trap…

Hooker Predicts Dvalishvili Could Fall To O’Malley Just Like Sterling

During a recent interview with mainevent, Hooker weighed in on the upcoming O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title fight. “The Hangman” praised the reigning champion’s ability to expertly use his reach advantage to dominate with his striking.

Drawing comparisons between “The Machine” and Sterling’s fighting styles, Hooker noted that it would be fascinating to see how Dvalishvili approaches O’Malley differently than his teammate did.

“He is incredible at controlling that distance, a sniper, an absolute sniper from range, and that’s the big thing I see in this fight—how will Merab cover that range? Because it’s a very similar style, a very similar opponent to Sean’s last one, Aljamain Sterling. Sterling and Merab have two very similar styles of wrestling; they shoot, and they’re really looking to take you down and put you on your back.”

Hooker emphasized “Sugar’s” knack for skillfully employing trash talk to unnerve his opponents in the build-up to a fight. He pointed out that this tactic worked perfectly against Sterling, causing him to make crucial mistakes that led to his defeat. The 34-year-old Auckland native also believes O’Malley is successfully getting inside Dvalishvili’s head, which could spell trouble for the Georgian fighter.

“‘Sugar’ Sean is a master at mental warfare. He was able to, you know, at the press conference, at the weigh-in, get into Aljamain Sterling’s head. So Aljamain, rather than being patient, taking his time, and setting up to cover that distance, really rushed it. He panicked and rushed. I can already sense that ‘Sugar’ is getting under Merab’s skin, and we still have so much time to go. We still have the weigh-in, the press conference, and media day. There’s still a lot of time to cover and a lot of time for ‘Sugar’ Sean to use that mental warfare.”

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: ‘Master Of Mental Warfare’ O’Malley Getting Under Dvalishvili’s Skin at MMA News.