In an ideal scenario, Renato Moicano beats Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 in January and moves onto higher-scale contention. Maybe he could face the winner of the main PPV event where Islam Makhachev rematches Arman Tsarukyan. But Moicano wants to keep busy; with two big names as possible opponents: Paddy Pimblett and Max Holloway.
The ultra utilitarian ‘Money’ Moicano wants to stay busy and to him, active contention is ultimately what matters most. To that end, the 35-year-old Brazilian also gets that after UFC 311, brass might have other ideas for the UFC 155-pound title winner. So, Renato Moicano is not saying no to the interesting Max Holloway bout.
I would love to do that, especially Max Holloway now says he’s done at 145, …If he really wants to be a 155’er, I think that would be an awesome fight, especially because that’s going to put me on [track for a title shot]…100 percent if you beat Max Holloway, you’re fighting for the title. It’s a fight that I would be willing to take 100 percent.
Renato Moicano to Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) for MMAFighting on SBN
Holloway claimed the “BMF” title at 155 pounds for what turned out to be the Annual KOTY spot. He then returned to 145 for once last time but came up short against Ilia Topuria in October. The gritty Hawaiian has promised 155 is the way to go. Other than “Baddy”, the most-improved 155-pound breakout slugger Dan Hooker, Moicano himself would be the go-to option for a fight. He revels in that.
.@moicanoufc is open to Max Holloway fight for BMF title after UFC 311:
“I would love to do that.”
(🎥 @DamonMartin) pic.twitter.com/Hssu2GQ1VI
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) December 28, 2024
There’s also the extra bonus that Max Holloway is still clutching that “BMF” strap. So, whoever he faces gets a shot at the silver and the title to be the most rugged fighter. Exciting fighter Michael Chandler has been vying for that opportunity; as have others including Moicano. However, he isn’t done hoping for Pimblett either.
‘Baddy’ fight isn’t a bad fight for Brazilian Renato Moicano
Outside of the intrigues of facing Max Holloway or a title shot, Moicano hardly avoids questions about Pimblett. This is a good thing since both have waged verbal war on each other many times now. Moicano has called for a war in the past, as had Paddy Pimblett. However, UFC matchmaking hasn’t yet found them two in a pairing, but it just might someday if fans clamor for it.
Renato Moicano still warm to a Paddy Pimblett call-up (Source: X)Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at 29 years is fresh off a Submission of the Year contender vs. King Green at UFC 304 PPV in July. It followed a new contractual rehash for the English fighter, who’s here to stay. Regardless of streaks or the fact where they are in Men’s Pound-for-pound listings, Renato Moicano wouldn’t say no to him. It’s a fight fans want to see after all.
I will do what the UFC wants, …If the UFC wants me to break his face, it’s going to be easy money. If not, I’ll move on and fight somebody else in the top five or for the title.
Renato Moicano further said
Of course, given the choice, Moicano agrees that a competition veteran and BMF ‘Blessed’ would be the bigger option. But then, even Paddy Pimblett would agree on that; or would he? The Englishman is a brand face, a PPV draw on home turf, and on cusp of being a top-tier 155lber. So, he processes the challenges differently.
Meanwhile, Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC) has won six of his most recent seven outings. He is also fresh off a domination and second-round doctor stoppage TKO over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris (UFC Fight Night 243). On a roll, logging a win against a veteran would open up big options for him. Where the duo goes from here is anyone’s guess, for now.
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