Exclusive – Renato Moicano calls for a fight with Beneil Dariush at UFC 301 in Brazil: ‘It’s going to be amazing’

Renato MoicanoRising lightweight contender Renato Moicano knows the where, the when, and the who when it comes to his next…

Renato Moicano

Rising lightweight contender Renato Moicano knows the where, the when, and the who when it comes to his next opponent. He’s just waiting for the UFC to give it their seal of approval.

Money’ returned to the Octagon on Saturday night (Feb. 3) for a co-main event clash with division standout Drew Dober. The two fighters engaged in an entertaining and bloody brawl for three rounds, but in the end, it was Moicano’s grappling that scored him a unanimous decision victory — his 10th under the UFC banner.

The win has Moicano holding tight in the No. 13 spot on the rankings and hoping that his next fight will offer him an opportunity to break into the top ten.

Speaking with Mike Owens in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, Renato Moicano revealed that No. 7 ranked Beneil Dariush is on his radar and he already has the perfect location for their proposed scrap.

“I think that Beneil Dariush is a fight that makes sense,” Moicano said. “The UFC, I think they always try to do matchups that make sense, and me versus Dariush is the fight to make. Especially in Brazil for UFC 301. I think it’s going to be amazing. I want to fight in Brazil.”

Riding the momentum of eight wins in a row and on the cusp of his first UFC title opportunity, Darish suffered a massive setback when he fell to former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira in the opening round of their UFC 289 confrontation.

Since then, ‘Benny’ added another loss to his resume via a 64-second knockout at the hands of Arman Tsarukyan in December. With back-to-back defeats, Dariush now likely finds himself in a position where he’ll have to fight down in the rankings to re-establish himself as a viable contender for the 155-pound crown.

“I think he’s not in a position where he can choose his opponents,” Moicano continued. “He’s coming off two losses. He’s not that young anymore and people are trying to fight him all over. I don’t know what the UFC is going to do, but I don’t think Beneil Dariush has that many choices. But let’s see what the UFC thinks because, at the end of the day, they choose.”

Watch the full exclusive interview with Renato Moicano below:

Exclusive – Renato Moicano confident Paddy Pimblett would get smashed by any top 15 lightweight in the UFC

Renato MoicanoRenato Moicano is confident that Paddy Pimblett would get smashed by anyone in the UFC’s lightweight top 15. On…

Renato Moicano

Renato Moicano is confident that Paddy Pimblett would get smashed by anyone in the UFC’s lightweight top 15.

On Saturday (Feb. 3), Moicano scored his 10th win inside the Octagon, securing a unanimous decision victory over fellow fan favorite Drew Dober following a bloody three-round brawl. Following the fight, ‘Money’ suggested that Dober’s next opponent should be Pimblett. The Liverpudlian took exception to the comment and snapped back on social media writing: “Why would I fight Dober when I could smoke u much easier?”

Speaking with Mike Owens in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, Moicano shared his candid thoughts on Pimblett’s career after earning five straight wins since making his promotional debut in 2020.

Paddy Pimblett is a guy that the UFC is protecting,” Moicano said. “He’s a guy they’re trying to market. Maybe he can get better, but right now, especially after the fights against Tony Ferguson and Jared Gordon, I don’t think he’s on the same level as people in the top 15 and if they ask me, I’m going to say that, but I don’t want to disrespect him. That’s none of my business. [I’m not] trying to talk sh*t on him, but sometimes it’s the game, right?”

With wins over Jordan Leavitt, Jared Gordon, and ‘El Cucuy‘ in his last three outings, a top-15 opponent appears to be in Pimblett’s near future. Even Moicano believes that’s the logical next step, adding that it would help make an inevitable loss for ‘The Baddy’ easier to swallow if it comes against a ranked contender.

“I think that makes sense,” Moicano added. “Eventually, he’s going to lose and I think it’s better if he loses to somebody with momentum instead of somebody outside the rankings.”

As for who Pimblett could face among the lightweight top 15, ‘Money’ Moicano likes the idea of pitting Bobby Green against the Liverpudlian.

“Maybe Bobby Green is a good fight for him,” Moicano said. “Other than that, I don’t see many fights that he can be competitive in.”

‘King’ has won two of his last three, besting Tony Ferguson and Grant Dawson before succumbing to a first-round KO against Jalin Turner in December. Green is currently scheduled to meet Jim Miller at UFC 300 on April 13.

Watch the full exclusive interview with Renato Moicano below:

Exclusive – Renato Moicano confident Paddy Pimblett would get smashed by any top 15 lightweight in the UFC

Renato MoicanoRenato Moicano is confident that Paddy Pimblett would get smashed by anyone in the UFC’s lightweight top 15. On…

Renato Moicano

Renato Moicano is confident that Paddy Pimblett would get smashed by anyone in the UFC’s lightweight top 15.

On Saturday (Feb. 3), Moicano scored his 10th win inside the Octagon, securing a unanimous decision victory over fellow fan favorite Drew Dober following a bloody three-round brawl. Following the fight, ‘Money’ suggested that Dober’s next opponent should be Pimblett. The Liverpudlian took exception to the comment and snapped back on social media writing: “Why would I fight Dober when I could smoke u much easier?”

Speaking with Mike Owens in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, Moicano shared his candid thoughts on Pimblett’s career after earning five straight wins since making his promotional debut in 2020.

Paddy Pimblett is a guy that the UFC is protecting,” Moicano said. “He’s a guy they’re trying to market. Maybe he can get better, but right now, especially after the fights against Tony Ferguson and Jared Gordon, I don’t think he’s on the same level as people in the top 15 and if they ask me, I’m going to say that, but I don’t want to disrespect him. That’s none of my business. [I’m not] trying to talk sh*t on him, but sometimes it’s the game, right?”

With wins over Jordan Leavitt, Jared Gordon, and ‘El Cucuy‘ in his last three outings, a top-15 opponent appears to be in Pimblett’s near future. Even Moicano believes that’s the logical next step, adding that it would help make an inevitable loss for ‘The Baddy’ easier to swallow if it comes against a ranked contender.

“I think that makes sense,” Moicano added. “Eventually, he’s going to lose and I think it’s better if he loses to somebody with momentum instead of somebody outside the rankings.”

As for who Pimblett could face among the lightweight top 15, ‘Money’ Moicano likes the idea of pitting Bobby Green against the Liverpudlian.

“Maybe Bobby Green is a good fight for him,” Moicano said. “Other than that, I don’t see many fights that he can be competitive in.”

‘King’ has won two of his last three, besting Tony Ferguson and Grant Dawson before succumbing to a first-round KO against Jalin Turner in December. Green is currently scheduled to meet Jim Miller at UFC 300 on April 13.

Watch the full exclusive interview with Renato Moicano below:

Exclusive – Jiri Prochazka looks back on his viral staredown with Alex Pereira at UFC 295

Jiri Prochazka and Alex PereiraJiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira delivered one of the most intense pre-fight moments in UFC history. On November 11,…

Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira

Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira delivered one of the most intense pre-fight moments in UFC history.

On November 11, 2023, ‘Denisa’ returned to the Octagon for the first time in nearly a year and a half determined to reclaim the light heavyweight title he never lost. Standing in his way was two-time GLORY Kickboxing world champion and former UFC middleweight king Alex Pereira.

It would be a battle between two of the most dangerous heavy hitters in all of MMA. As if fans weren’t hyped enough, the staredown between Prochazka and Pereira seconds before going toe-to-toe inside the cage sent shivers down the spines of every fan tuning in. The moment has since been reposted, retweeted, and meme’d millions of times.

Looking back at that viral staredown during a Lowkick MMA exclusive interview with Mike Owens, Prochazka offered some insight into the message he was trying to send ‘Poatan’ before they started slinging leather in front of 19,000 fans inside the world’s most famous arena — Madison Square Garden.

“Every moment before the fight is important because you’re showing your spirit,” Prochazka said. “You’re showing your strength before the world and I really like to watch my opponent. To see through him and show him that there is no place inside myself for anything other than pure focus and winning.”

In the end, it was Alex Pereira who saw his hand raised after scoring a brutal second-round knockout against Prochazka to claim the vacant 205-pound crown.

‘Denisa’ will return to the Octagon on April 13 for UFC 300 when he meets fellow top-five ranked contender Aleksandar Rakic. With a strong showing against ‘Rocket,’ Prochazka would likely put himself back in line for another shot at recapturing the light heavyweight strap.

As for Alex Pereira, there is no official date for his first title defense, but his next opponent is expected to be another former champion who was forced to vacate the belt due to injury — Jamahal Hill.

Watch the full exclusive interview with Jiri Prochazka below:

Exclusive – John Fury claims Francis Ngannou fight was ‘Wake-Up call’ Tyson Fury needed ahead of title return

John Fury claims Francis Ngannou fight was a wake-up call for Tyson Fury ahead of title returnJohn Fury, the father of reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, says the close call with Francis Ngannou…

John Fury claims Francis Ngannou fight was a wake-up call for Tyson Fury ahead of title return

John Fury, the father of reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, says the close call with Francis Ngannou was the “kick in the backside” they both needed.

In October, ‘The Gypsy King’ returned to the squared circle for a clash with former UFC heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou who was making his professional boxing debut. Fury entered the bout as a massive favorite, but it didn’t take long for those odds to flip once the two men started throwing hands. Not only did Ngannou go toe-to-toe through 10 entertaining rounds, but he also sent Fury crashing to the canvas in the third via a counter-left.

Tyson Fury survives massive scare knockdown to beat Francis Ngannou in split decision win Highlights
Mandatory Credit: Justin Setterfield

In the end, Fury walked away with his undefeated record intact, escaping with a closely contested and much-maligned split decision.

John Fury describes Ngannou – Fury bout as a “wake-up call”

Speaking with Murdo Todd in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, John Fury who is sponsored by FreeBets, revealed that the fight with Francis Ngannou was a wake-up call for him and Tyson Fury.

“Things happen in this life for a reason and sometimes people need a wake-up call, don’t they? A kick in the backside,” Fury said. “That’s what that was, but it put him in good stead for what’s happening next month. He had 10 good rounds. It wasn’t easy. He boxed a very capable man in Ngannou. You’re going to see a lot more damage from Ngannou in the heavyweight division in the future. I’m sure of it.

“[Tyson] has done what he had to do. He’s got to go to another level and do what’s right, but he had a bad day at the office, but Tyson can still win on a bad night. Two in the morning ring walk, all different… What can you do? These things are sent to try us, but as long as he’s learned from it, he still got the win and he can move on. Learn what you do wrong. Learn by your mistakes and you can improve on life.

“I’m sure he’s done that. I can’t tell you what’s happening in the training camp because I’ve not been there, but I’m sure they’ve had the wake-up call just like I have. If they haven’t, they shouldn’t be in the job. That’s as much as I can say.”

Tyson Fury will face another tough test on Saturday, February 17 when he meets reigning WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a long-awaited clash for the unified heavyweight world title.

The bout will emanate from Riyadh in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the same location where Fury fought Ngannou last year.

Exclusive – David Feldman: Luis Palomino isn’t popular enough to fight BKFC star Mike Perry: ‘He has to earn it”

David Feldman didn’t hold back when it came to discussing the business of Mike Perry fights. In an exclusive interview with LowKick MMA, he said plain and simply that Luis Palomino isn’t ready to fight Perry yet.

Even more honestly, he…

Luis Palomino no fight with Mike Perry he hasn't earned it BKFC David Feldman

David Feldman didn’t hold back when it came to discussing the business of Mike Perry fights. In an exclusive interview with LowKick MMA, he said plain and simply that Luis Palomino isn’t ready to fight Perry yet.

Even more honestly, he also insinuated that just simply beating Austin Trout on February 2nd at BKFC 57 won’t even be enough. No, Luis Palomino needs to have a superstar performance. In the words of Feldman himself: Palomino needs to make fans want to watch a potential fight between him and Perry.

9-0 in the BKFC, Luis Palomino is currently the BKFC lightweight champion of the world. However, this hasn’t sealed the deal on the biggest money fight of his career. Yet. The door is still open for a Palomino vs. Perry banger, but ‘Baboon’ won’t earn this money fight just via meritocracy alone. David Feldman has a business to run, and he is in the business of selling fights.

David Feldman Describes Arguement with Luis Palomino

In an exclusive interview with LowKick MMA, David Feldman was asked about the potential for Mike Perry to face the winner of the rapidly approaching Palomino vs Trout fight, and also about the direction he personally would like to see Perry take.

“I mean, it’s possible.” Feldman began, speaking about the possibility of a Palomino vs Perry fight. “I actually had an argument with Luis, because he wanted to fight Mike Perry. And I said look, coming off your last performance, you gotta give fans a reason why they want to see you fight Mike Perry. And right now, no one is asking for that…”

The BKFC boss would continue on the subject, highlighting how Palomino was so hyped up to prove himself to be worthy for the Perry fight that he was yelling.

“Now (I told him), go out there this time, and do what you need to do just to get people talking.” David Feldman said. “Saying ‘I want to see Luis Palomino fight Mike Perry’. And you know, we’d (Palomino and I have) gone back and forth a bit… I said listen, man, I’d love nothing more than to see you earn that shot and get your ‘just due’, but you have to earn it. And this is your shot, this Friday night to earn it. So, you want it? Go out and get it.”

When asked if he’d prefer Perry to chase a money fight or a title shot, the answer the CEO of BKFC gave was a very truthful and realistic one.

“Not really,” Feldman said. “Because what people don’t understand is look. If we’re not talking about the growth of the company and we’re just talking about putting on good fights. Then yes. But you’re talking about the growth of the company.”

“You need to put on these big names fighting other big names. Because, when the big names don’t fight big names, it doesn’t get people really, really interested. So, you have to have the big names fight the other big names. And, that gets people who’ve never viewed this before to actually watch it and potentially become a fan of this sport, and this promotion. And that’s the goal here.”

Do you think Luis Palomino will defeat Austin Trout at BKFC 57 and fight Mike Perry next, and, what’s your opinion on the take from David Feldman about Perry’s future fights?