The UFC’s first pay-per-view event of 2025 has added a key lightweight contender bout. Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano square up in a three-round bout on January 18 at UFC 311 from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. It pushes ‘Money’ Moicano to title contention in a perfect world. If not, there’s always Paddy Pimblett and his war. Both are looking to make big strides.
Moicano and Pimblett have been angling for each other for a while now, long before UFC 311. Recently, the 35-year-old Brazilian has been eyeing a 155-pound BMF challenge as well. Regardless of the streak or the rankings, Moicano still wouldn’t scoff at the chance to face Pimblett as well. Because it’s a fight that would mean something to the fans, and a win against the English top draw helps build his brand.
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…Like I said, the title is good, but I want to build a brand. I want to build something bigger. A name, a persona, call it whatever you call it so after I’m done, I can capitalize on that. Like it or not, Paddy has a huge audience, he has a big name.
Renato Moicano to Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) for MMAFighting on SBN
If all goes well against an established veteran like Dariush in January, Moicano will be that much closer to ‘shotgun’ a bid on the gold. But Islam Makhachev currently holds the strap and is eyeing champ’s champ goals; Makhachev himself is also a sweet target for some super fights in 2025. By all accounts, that could put the title shot in the rearview for a few more months. In that case, Pimblett would be quite the opportunity for self-growth.
Paddy Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC), 29, is fresh off his ‘Submission of the Year’ contender victory over King Green at UFC 304 PPV in July. It was followed by a new contract for the English fighter. There’s no denying the fan uproar and pay-per-view (PPV) spotlight behind the fighter. Moicano is all here for it. However, he also acknowledges the driving power could be at an end with Pimblett’s next match.
Renato Moicano explains thoughts behind Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
Renato Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC) is a winner and highlight in six of his last seven outings. He is also coming off a dominant second-round doctor’s stoppage TKO of Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris (UFC Fight Night 243). The ultra-practical Brazilian gets the truth behind a fighter behind ‘as good as their last loss’ and all. Moicano is never going to refuse a foe. But he also knows that the clock is ticking before someone will just eliminate Pimblett similarly and make him less relevant anyway.
Renato Moicano thinks Paddy Pimblett’s hype may soon come to an end (Source: X)Saint-Denis is infamous as a berserker and limit-breaking clinical striker in the 155 ranks. ‘God of War’ took care of veteran Matt Frevola and gave Dustin Poirier his troubles even. However, ‘Money’ was able to overtake the Frenchman. No matter the hype behind Pimblett, the same could also happen to him. Right now there are rumors that it’ll be Saint-Denis himself out to rebound.
I think Paddy is fighting Benoit Saint-Denis, that’s what I heard, and I think Benoit Saint-Denis will beat his ass, …Benoit Saint Denis, people was hyping him a lot and then two losses, he’s kind of done. People think he’s going to lose to Paddy. I don’t think [that] but it’s just how MMA is. It’s just how it works. It’s all about the hype.
Renato Moicano further said
The Frenchman is a national champion in BJJ with a brown belt/Judo black belt. Saint-Denis and his chain attempts at striking pockets against the fence have earned him 7 first-round finishes. His variable adjustment and punishing pace are one to behold. Having faced him, Moicano hence considers ‘Baddy’ to meet a bad end.
Pimblett has turned down the rumor of him vs. Saint-Denis, but there’s a chance it still might just occur. Saint-Denis is a southpaw who throws his left shinbone with impunity and can comprehend submission specialists. When that happens, it’d mean the end of the hype train. If not, Moicano is here for the chance to face him post-UFC 311 PPV.
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