Tag: Renato Moicano

Ranked UFC fighter claims Bo Nickal would ‘destroy’ Paul Craig in potential clash: ‘He’s f*cking terrible’

Paul CraigTop-15-ranked lightweight Renato Moicano believes Paul Craig is biting off more than he can chew by challenging fast-rising prospect Bo Nickal. ‘Bearjew’ made his middleweight debut on Saturday night as part of a stacked UFC London card inside the iconic O2 Arena. Craig scored himself a solid second-round TKO against BJJ specialist Andre Muniz and […]

Paul Craig

Top-15-ranked lightweight Renato Moicano believes Paul Craig is biting off more than he can chew by challenging fast-rising prospect Bo Nickal.

‘Bearjew’ made his middleweight debut on Saturday night as part of a stacked UFC London card inside the iconic O2 Arena. Craig scored himself a solid second-round TKO against BJJ specialist Andre Muniz and proceeded to put the rest of the middleweight division on notice. That included callouts of world-class wrestler Bo Nickal and undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev.

Craig insisted that Nickal would play directly into his grapple-heavy game plan before telling members of the media that Chimaev would “get triangled” if he attempted a takedown in their hypothetical showdown. Most fight fans chalked up Craig’s comments to clout-chasing, but Moicano believes that ‘Bearjew’ could live to regret those words.

Renato Moicano Unloads on Paul Craig

Speaking on his YouTube channel. Moicano laid into Craig, suggesting that the Scottish standout is “f*cking terrible.”

“Paul Craig. Man, Paul Craig is terrible. I know you guys gonna roast me for saying that, but he’s f*cking terrible,” Moicano said. “Even his top position in the first round, he got reversed very easily. I think what happened in this fight is ‘Sergipano’ is a jiu-jitsu player, too, so he sat in the guard and stuff.

“But Paul Craig’s standup is terrible. He was talking about Bo Nickal. Bo Nickal would destroy him. Khamzat would destroy him,” Moicano continued. “I know you guys like that kind of stuff, but let me tell you something, he’s terrible… Make no mistake, he’s terrible” (h/t MMA News).

After reaching the No. 9 spot in the light heavyweight rankings, Paul Craig hit a couple of brick walls at 205 named Volkan Oezdemir and Johnny Walker. Ready for a change of scenery, ‘Bearjew’ made the drop to 185 and looked quite good doing so on Saturday night. Taking out the middleweight division’s No. 14 ranked fighter, Craig expects to see his name in the top 15 shortly and plans on ascending to the top of the division within the next five years.

A fight with Bo Nickal is certainly within the realm of possibility considering they are both relatively new to the UFC’s middleweight division, but Paul Craig has some work cut out for him if he wants to share the Octagon with Khamzat Chimaev someday.

Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje expected to retire with BMF title loss at UFC 291: ‘Both are very accomplished’

Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje expected to retire after UFC 291 BMF title fightA training partner of former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, has claimed that the loser of the upcoming BMF title bout between the Lafayette native and fan-favorite veteran, Justin Gaethje, will likelty hang up their gloves at UFC 291 later this month. Headlining the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, Dustin Poirier looks to […]

Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje expected to retire after UFC 291 BMF title fight

A training partner of former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, has claimed that the loser of the upcoming BMF title bout between the Lafayette native and fan-favorite veteran, Justin Gaethje, will likelty hang up their gloves at UFC 291 later this month.

Headlining the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, Dustin Poirier looks to land his second career win over fellow former interim champion, Gaethje, with the two initially sharing the Octagon back in 2018.

Dustin Poirier first defeated Justin Gaethje back in 2018 on enemy territory

Turning in a fourth round standing TKO win over Gaethje, Poirier would then landed interim lightweight gold in a rematch unanimous decision win over former featherweight champion.

And in both men’s pursuit of an undisputed lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, or a title rematch with Charles Oliveira following their upcoming UFC 294 rematch, Poirier or Gaethje could likely retire from mixed martial arts with a loss in Utah, according to American Top Team trainee, Renato Moicano.

“My hot take on this fight, both [Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje] athletes are very accomplished, they don’t have many more fights on their belts anymore,” Renato Moicano said on his YouTube channel. “I think the loser of this fight will retire.”

Both riding wins in their flagship headliner at the end of this month, Poirier rebounded to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 281 back in November, submitting common-foe, Michael Chandler with a third round rear-naked choke at Madison Square Garden.

Himself featuring already this year, Arizona veteran, Gaethje took home a close, majority decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 back in March in London, England. (Transcribed by MMA News)

Poirier and Gaethje’s headlining clash will top the card which also features a potential title-eliminator clash between former Octagon champions, Jan Blachowicz, and Alex Pereira at the light heavyweight limit.

Renato Moicano Rejects Dana White’s AI Rankings, Proposes ‘More Logical’ System

UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano has given his take on how the promotion’s official rankings should be revamped. The topic of the UFC rankings has risen to the surface in recent times thanks to CEO Dana White’s frustration. The promotion’s boss most recently took issue with the failure to boost Khalil Rountree up the light […]

Continue Reading Renato Moicano Rejects Dana White’s AI Rankings, Proposes ‘More Logical’ System at MMA News.

UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano has given his take on how the promotion’s official rankings should be revamped.

The topic of the UFC rankings has risen to the surface in recent times thanks to CEO Dana White’s frustration. The promotion’s boss most recently took issue with the failure to boost Khalil Rountree up the light heavyweight pecking order following his defeat to Alex Pereira.

White has consistently slammed the media for the top 15s, though the rankings panel is largely made up of defunct and unknown outlets. Many have pushed for changes to the panel and the addition of more recognized reporters, but White has a different idea altogether.

The last few weeks and months have seen him raise plans to utilize AI to form the UFC rankings. During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, however, Moicano dismissed that as a “logical” idea.

Instead, the Brazilian — who raised his own annoyance with the rankings after staying put outside the top 10 following his dominant win over Benoît Saint Denis — wants to see an organized “points-based” format introduced.

“I saw Dana White talking about the AI. But the whole thing is, the AI, somebody’s programming the AI too. The way they program the AI is the way they are going to do the matchups,” Moicano said. “I think it would be best if we do like, a way that is points, you know?

“So if you knock the guy out, or if you submit him, or if it is a decision against a ranked guy — point-based system, you know what I mean?” Moicano continued. “I think that would be better, that would be more logical.”

It remains to be seen what renovation is coming to the UFC’s ranking system, but White claimed to be having a meeting regarding the issue this week following the final episode of this year’s DWCS season.

Moicano, for one, will most likely welcome any change that boosts him further toward the gold at 155 pounds.

Continue Reading Renato Moicano Rejects Dana White’s AI Rankings, Proposes ‘More Logical’ System at MMA News.

Renato Moicano Discovers ‘Unbelievable’ Hole In José Aldo’s Game After Mario Bautista Loss

Renato Moicano is arguably at the prime of his career in terms of momentum and popularity. His four-fight win streak as a UFC lightweight includes popular names like Jalin Turner, Benoit Saint-Denis, and Drew Dober, and he’s eyeing to fight the biggest stars in the division now. Many fans believe Moicano to be a rising […]

Continue Reading Renato Moicano Discovers ‘Unbelievable’ Hole In José Aldo’s Game After Mario Bautista Loss at MMA News.

Renato Moicano is arguably at the prime of his career in terms of momentum and popularity. His four-fight win streak as a UFC lightweight includes popular names like Jalin Turner, Benoit Saint-Denis, and Drew Dober, and he’s eyeing to fight the biggest stars in the division now.

Many fans believe Moicano to be a rising prospect because of his charisma on the mic. However, he’s been in the UFC since 2014 and has fought the best of the best in the UFC featherweight division until moving up a weight class.

Moicano faced José Aldo in the biggest match of his career in 2019. He lost via second-round TKO but claims he could’ve emerged victorious with a game plan similar to Mario Bautista…

Renato Moicano Claims Mario Bautista Will Benefit From Beating José Aldo Like Alexander Volkanovski And Merab Dvalishvili Despite Controversy

Moicano, Gilbert Burns, and Matty Betts discussed all things UFC in the latest episode of Show Me The Money podcast on YouTube. Interestingly, Burns believes Aldo lost the fight because Bautista could hold him against the cage. The UFC welterweight instead blamed the referee for allowing the stalling.

Moicano understandably had a completely different concern. In 2019, he was definitely fighting a much better version of the Brazilian legend and a victory could’ve helped him secure a title shot. After UFC 307, Moicano believes he should’ve held Aldo against the cage as well but admitted that he wasn’t aware of the strategy.

“I’m so mad that I lose to José Aldo because if I knew that he could not escape to the cage, I would do the same thing. Because, when I was like, supposed to fight José Aldo, I say, okay, I’m not taking this motherf****r down because he has a 100%…90% takedown defense ratio. But, he cannot escape the cage, unbelievable! Because Mario Bautista is not strong, he doesn’t look strong.”

The Brazilian fighters did acknowledge that Aldo might’ve been less active in the clinch because of fatigue. It is important to note that the fight took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, a venue notorious for affecting athletes’ cardio because of altitude.

The UFC lightweight contender also went against the masses and claimed that having Aldo on his resume will benefit Bautista in the long run. The likes of Merab Dvalishvili and Alexander Volkanovski were criticized for how they beat the former UFC featherweight champ too but over the years, their wins aged like fine wine.

“You know, once you beat a guy like José Aldo. Remember Merab or Volkanovski, everybody was talking s**t about the performance back in the day. Nobody cares anymore. Everybody say he beat Aldo, you know, and I think it’s going to be exactly the same. People forget.”

Moicano didn’t agree with Burns and stated Aldo was robbed at UFC 307, though. He just identifies several positives for Bautista as well and thinks that the American bantamweight contender can still turn his career around for good.

Continue Reading Renato Moicano Discovers ‘Unbelievable’ Hole In José Aldo’s Game After Mario Bautista Loss at MMA News.

Renato Moicano Explains Why Five Fighters Have No Business Being Higher Ranked Than Him After UFC Paris Win

Despite his dominant performance against Benoît Saint Denis in the main event this past weekend, Renato Moicano has been left unsatisfied. The lightweight contender earned his fourth consecutive win but did not move up in the rankings at 155-pounds. He came into the fight as the #11-ranked contender, facing Saint Denis who was one spot […]

Continue Reading Renato Moicano Explains Why Five Fighters Have No Business Being Higher Ranked Than Him After UFC Paris Win at MMA News.

Despite his dominant performance against Benoît Saint Denis in the main event this past weekend, Renato Moicano has been left unsatisfied.

The lightweight contender earned his fourth consecutive win but did not move up in the rankings at 155-pounds.

He came into the fight as the #11-ranked contender, facing Saint Denis who was one spot below him following his loss to Dustin Poirier early this year.

“Money” Moicano is still sat on the fringes of the top 10 even after producing his best performance to date, and the Brazilian isn’t happy about that.

Renato Moicano Explains Why He Believes He Should Be The #6-Ranked Lightweight Right Now

Posting on X, Moicano voiced his frustration as to why he hasn’t moved up several places in the rankings.

He made the case that regardless of him beating a fighter that was ranked below him, he should be just outside the top 5 based on his activity.

“If UFC Rankings Aren’t Total Bullshit, I Should Be Ranked #6 in the Lightweight Division Tomorrow. 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:”

Moicano proceeded to name five fighters that he believes he should be above in the rankings, due to their lack of activity and recent form.

Going case-by-case, he gave reasoning for each person that by his logic, would see him jump all the way up to the #6 spot.

“#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.”

“#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.”

Read also: UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

Continue Reading Renato Moicano Explains Why Five Fighters Have No Business Being Higher Ranked Than Him After UFC Paris Win at MMA News.

UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

Renato Moicano has won four fights in a row for the first time in his UFC career. Headlining UFC Paris couldn’t have been better for the Brazilian as he put a beating on Benoit Saint-Denis in front of the latter’s home crowd and gave an entertaining post-fight interview yet again. Moicano has emerged as an […]

Continue Reading UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent at MMA News.

Renato Moicano has won four fights in a row for the first time in his UFC career. Headlining UFC Paris couldn’t have been better for the Brazilian as he put a beating on Benoit Saint-Denis in front of the latter’s home crowd and gave an entertaining post-fight interview yet again.

Moicano has emerged as an anti-hero in the UFC lightweight division. He disses fellow fighters and the crowds but the “Money Moicano” gimmick has sat extremely well with the fans.

Moicano is arguably at his career best in terms of momentum and popularity right now. According to Chael Sonnen, Justin Gaethje is the ideal next opponent for the American Top Team fighter…

Chael Sonnen Explains How Justin Gaethje Could Make Renato Moicano A UFC Star

Sonnen discussed Moicano’s next UFC opponent on his YouTube channel recently. Although the UFC Paris winner called out the likes of Dan Hooker and Paddy Pimblett in his post-fight interview, “The American Gangster” has many reasons to believe that Gaethje is a better matchup.

“Moicano’s next fight is Justin Gaethje. Now, that is exactly what my response would be. For me, that’s like glaringly obvious.”

For starters, Gaethje is coming off a loss but he’s still one of the biggest draws in the promotion. The fight with Moicano gives the former title challenger hope to restart his run while for the Brazilian, it is a great opportunity to make himself known to as many mainstream fans as possible.

“If you got over on Dustin Poirier, you could then do anything. Fight for titles, main events, there’d be no argument that you couldn’t fit nicely into. And, Justin Gaethje brings those same accolades but there’s one difference which is you don’t have to be as careful with the bookings of Gaethje because he is not a in a situation where he’s saying my next one is my final.”

With a win over Gaethje, Moicano will have a name big enough to headline most of his events and even fight for the title. Sonnen’s thought process here isn’t new, to be fair. The UFC usually pits rising stars against veterans to build new names.

This is where Moicano’s age comes in, though. He’s not a prospect and in fact, has been in the UFC for over ten years. At 35, he’s likely on his final title run at lightweight and would want the biggest matchups out there.

According to Sonnen, Gaethje makes more sense than Poirier because “The Diamond” is adamant about retiring after his next fight and he might be hesitant to agree to Moicano who’s yet to become a top draw.

Sonnen also declined Pimblett as a potential opponent for Moicano because they both portray a likable heel personality. Instead of booking them against each other and derailing at least one hype train, the UFC would want to build them both and capitalize on a much bigger fight later on.

Continue Reading UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent at MMA News.