In a perfect world, Renato Moicano would beat Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 in January and then move onto face the winner of the main event that same night when Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan.
But the 35-year-old Brazilian admits staying busy is ultimately what matters most, and he understands that the UFC may have other plans in store for the winner of the 155-pound title fight. That’s why Moicano is keeping his options open and a suggestion about potentially facing Max Holloway in his return to the lightweight division immediately piqued his interest.
“I would love to do that, especially Max Holloway now says he’s done at 145,” Moicano told MMA Fighting when asked about that potential fight. “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.”
Holloway claimed the “BMF” title with MMA Fighting’s 2024 Knockout of the Year when he flattened Justin Gaethje with just one second remaining when they clashed back at UFC 300 in April. Following that jaw-dropping victory, Holloway returned to featherweight in October but came up short in his bid to reclaim the belt after falling by knockout to Ilia Topuria.
In the aftermath of that loss, Holloway revealed plans for a permanent move to lightweight where he’s already ranked among the best in the world with the added bonus that he’s still clutching that “BMF” title as well.
It wasn’t a fight he was necessarily thinking about but Moicano confesses a matchup against Holloway would make a lot of sense after UFC 311.
“That’s a good callout,” Moicano said. “Maybe you gave me some ideas for after the win.”
While Holloway might be the most intriguing possibility outside of a title shot, Moicano rarely avoids questions about potentially facing Paddy Pimblett after they’ve repeatedly engaged in a war of words through interviews and over social media.
Moicano called for the fight in the past and Pimblett has done the same in return but the UFC hasn’t actually booked the matchup.
Assuming all goes well against an established veteran like Dariush in January, Moicano would move that much closer to a shot at UFC gold and by all accounts that might just put Pimblett in his rearview mirror
Regardless of win streaks or rankings, Moicano still wouldn’t scoff at a chance to face Pimblett because it’s a fight that would matter to fans.
“I will do what the UFC wants,” Moicano said. “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. That would be very good for my career so I would never say no.”
Of course if given an option, Moicano acknowledges that Holloway is the bigger but also much tougher fight than facing somebody like Pimblett.
He’s never going to turn down an opponent but he also knows the clock is probably ticking until somebody eventually just takes out Pimblett and makes him less relevant anyway.
“I think Paddy is fighting Benoit Saint Denis, that’s what I heard, and I think Benoit Saint Denis will beat his ass,” Moicano said. “Then the hype is gone. That’s what I feel.
“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.”
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