Renato Moicano knows that he will be put to the test against Benoit Saint-Denis. The 155-pound duo meet at the top bill of Saturday’s UFC Paris main event at Accor Arena in Paris. This one is not about a budding dynamic or rivalry for ‘Money’ Moicano. The ultra-utilitarian and practical fighter sees this as a stage to prove himself better.
Saturday’s UFC Paris main event will be Renato Moicano’s second-ever headlining stage in his UFC tenure. The American Top Team (ATT) star has also received sage advice against the French star from teammate Dustin Poirier. DP rang out Saint-Denis’ bells with a shock KO at UFC 299 in March. Moicano, who’s a proven submission specialist, wants to do it all against the Frenchman.
Definitely, Benoit Saint-Denis is not easy money, and that’s why he’s in the position he is right now, …We’re fighting in France, right? UFC knows his value, but I’m here to prove I’m better than him. I’m here to beat him.
Renato Moicano during Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 243 Media Day; H/T: SBNation Network
Subsequently, he does have a stiff rise ahead. Benoit Saint-Denis has a berserker output, with 58.4 percent significant strikes in UFC lightweight competition. The third-best ever yet in the division. The French lightweight boasted five highlights before his loss came in March. Saint-Denis has also been keeping a lengthy hit list to rise to top. So one just knows this can get extremely competitive.
There haven’t been much chalking points to a rivalry. As a matter of fact, 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment veteran Saint-Denis aligns in his pro-American sentiments with Moicano. His Veteran’s Day tribute, thanking America for saving France in WWII went viral. Without a clash, both are just a stepping point for each other. Moicano, subsequently, has some thoughts on that.
Renato Moicano weighs in on the hype of the matchup
Renato Moicano (19-5-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC) is riding a three-fight winning streak. That includes a recent TKO victory over Jalin Turner at the milestone UFC 300 PPV in April. ‘Money Moicano’ has won five of his last six fights, dropping a short-notice decision to Rafael dos Anjos (catchweight bout). Always dreaming big on the lineup and out looking for career-changing incentives, Moicano is a safe bet.
Renato Moicano wants to defy the hype around the standout Benoit Saint-Denis (Source: express.co.uk/si.com)Benoit Saint-Denis is one spot below Moicano on the UFC lightweight ladder. This means that a win for Moicano won’t necessarily see him move up the rankings. However, Moicano sees more value in a win over a hyped contender. Lightweight is a stacked division and everyone is a killer. As such, every win holds merit.
I think the rankings, they don’t matter, …You know, if the rankings matter, things will be easier. But no. We saw like last month, Dan Hooker beating Mateusz and they were pretty far on the rankings. We see some guys, like even McGregor, back in the day – I don’t know, how many years without fighting and he was in the rankings.
Renato Moicano further said
It’s also a stylistic pairing. When the pair of top-15 lightweights headline UFC Paris, the Brazilian will have his BJJ black belt acumen and consistent pressuring techniques to his advantage. An Orthodox/Muay Thai practitioner, Moicano works well in pockets coming forward and off the counter. Once on the ground, the bodylock specialist and rear-naked choke fame fighter can get it done.
Meanwhile, Saint-Denis, a Judo black belt is the perfect aggressive answer to the transitional grappler. The Frenchman can mix up all sorts of games with his solid takedowns and chain attempts to tee off against the fence. It is eerily similar to how boogeyman Khamzat Chimaev once fought. This could be a punishing ride for both, and if either he or Moicano comes on top, it adds to their stock largely.
