Renato Moicano is Coming for the Lightweight’s Top 15

The Brazillian MMA Fighter Continues to Evolve and Astonish

On Saturday, November 12, live from the famous Madison Square Garden, UFC lightweight Renato Moicano earned his most impressive win yet, and thrilled the fans.

The 33 year old Brazillian squared off against Brad Riddell, a devastating kickboxer from New Zealand, in the main event of the preliminary card of UFC 281.

Set for three 5 minute rounds, Moicano got to work right away and immediately pushed a pace and began to back Riddell towards the cage.

Though Riddell tried to evade by cutting angles and circling away from Moicano, the Brazillian was still able to pop a jab that landed flush against Riddell’s face.

Riddel re-set himself and darted back into the exchange, but was caught on the chin with a well-timed knee by Moicano.

Riddell continued to back up and try to evade, but the long and rangy Moicano was able to land a cracking left kick to Riddell’s head.

Visibly hurt, the durable New Zealander composed himself and managed to land a couple of kicks to Moicano’s calves.

However, the length and reach of Moicano seemed to be giving Riddell trouble.

At 5'11 with a 72 inch wingspan, Moicano seemed to always intercept Riddell with a stiff jab and follow it with a straight right.

Sensing his opponent was hurt, Moicano went for a takedown.

Riddell was able to counter and landed on Moicano’s back. However, Moicano, a Brazillian jiu jitsu black belt, was quickly able to scramble and take Riddell’s back.

Within an instant, Moicano sunk in a rear naked choke. Riddell fought valiantly but was outmatched by Moicano’s dominant grappling. Riddell tapped at 3:27 of rd 1 and referee Dan Miragliota stopped the fight.

Moicano is “Leveling up”

In his post-fight speech with commentator Joe Rogan, the tae kwon do and jiu jitsu black belt declared that Moicano’s performance was “a special performance where a fighter reaches another level”.

Moicano, who now has a record of 17–5–1, has had a successful career but has always seemed to come up short when he faces the UFC’s elite.

As a featherweight (145lbs), Moicano attained the 4th ranked spot and secured wins over notable fighters such as Cub Swanson and Calvin Kattar.

However, he suffered back-to-back defeats to that division’s all time great, Jose Aldo, and the legendary Chan Sung Jung. He lost both fights by TKO due to strikes.

Since moving up to lightweight (155lbs) in 2020 Moicano has won four of his last six fights, with all four by way of submission. But once again, his two losses are to the division’s elite fighters.

At 33, with a ton of experience, Moicano could be leveling up to the point where he can beat the elite and fight for a title.

Moicano started his martial arts training as jiu jitsu player but has gradually evolved into a well-rounded MMA athlete.

He admitted that for a while he got away from his dangerous jiu jitsu and relied too much on striking. A KO loss to kickboxing sensation Rafael Fiziev inspired Moicano to play to his strengths, double down on his grappling, but continue to sharpen all areas of his game.

If his performance against Riddell is any indication, it looks like he’s doing exactly that.

What’s Next for Renato Moicano?

While speaking to Rogan after the fight, Moicano made it clear what he wants: he wants to crack the ligtweight’s top 15 ranked fighters.

The lightweight division is widely regarded as one of the toughest divisions in the UFC. And contains a long list of highly credentialed fighters.

Like most other divisions, lightweight is in a constant state of flux.

The division crowned a new undisputed champion last month. A former interim champion scored a big win the same night Moicano did. And aging contenders are leaving the division as a new wave starts to move up the ranks.

However, as of this morning, Moicano has bursted into the rankings and into the 13th spot.

And after making quick work of the very dangerous Brad Riddell it’s entirely possible that Moicano could turn around quickly and book another fight in the 1st quarter of 2023.

That would put him on a 2 fight streak, with 3 wins out of his last 4 fights, with a record of 5–2 at lightweight.

I agree with Rogan. Renato Moicano has leveled up.

And I think he will attain even higher levels.