Renato Moicano has gained followers for his humorous remarks on social media, particularly when making enjoyable of Beneil Dariush for being previous – after which discovering out throughout an interview with MMA Combating he was born solely 15 days earlier than Dariush in Might 1989 – however desires to deal with his skilled opponent with the utmost respect going into UFC 317 in Las Vegas.
Moicano and Dariush lastly meet within the octagon Saturday 5 months after the unique date at UFC 311. When Arman Tsarukyan fell out of a title combat with Islam Makhachev on the final second, Moicano was known as in as a substitute on hours’ discover. Moicano and Dariush have been later re-booked for June 28 on Worldwide Battle Week, and Moicano doesn’t count on a simple evening within the eight-sided cage.
“I used to be making enjoyable of him being previous due to his white hair, however he’s a tricky man, ?” Moicano informed MMA Combating. “It’s a combat like every other within the UFC. Nevertheless it’s like I stated, possibly it’s one of the favorable fights within the prime 10. I stated, ‘Oh, he’s coming off three losses.’ In reality it’s solely two, Charles [Oliveira] and Arman. One is combating for the belt and the opposite one is the No. 1 contender, so it’s not like this man is useless. He’s not useless, however I’ll kill him on June 28 [laughs].”
Dariush has not fought since December 2023, when Tsarukyan knocked him out in simply over a minute. That loss got here six months after Charles Oliveira stopped him with punches additionally in Spherical 1. Rafael Cordeiro, who beforehand coached Dariush at Kings MMA, informed MMA Combating in April 2024 that Dariush had also suffered head trauma in the gym the yr prior as the results of a pair of knockdowns and a knockout, and that’s one motive he requested Dariush to take day off from coaching.
Moicano is conscious of the tough occasions Dariush endured in 2023 and notes that his absence could assist him come again stronger in 2025, but additionally wonders if UFC 317 might find yourself being his closing evening as knowledgeable fighter.
“I don’t know the way he’s doing in coaching, however I don’t care both. I hope all of it goes dangerous for him there,” Moicano stated with amusing. “I feel that being extra energetic may also help me, however such as you stated, he’s taken the time. However I see that he might nonetheless have many doubts, ? He was knocked out twice, modified coaches. You’re a human being and also you query your self. I guess he retires if he loses now. He’ll do like Jalin Turner and retire. If he loses on June 28, he’ll say, ‘I’m getting beat up even by that previous man, I can’t compete anymore,’ and he’ll retire. Let’s see. I hope I retire him on June 28. I’m coaching for that.”
Moicano was on a four-fight successful streak when he jumped on a last-minute shot at glory towards Makhachev, who went on to defeat Moicano by submission within the first spherical, however doesn’t really feel he’s too removed from one other crack at gold.
“It’s all about timing within the UFC, it’s not all the time about who you beat,” Moicano stated. “It’s about who you beat, who you might be. Have a look at Paddy Pimblett, man. Let’s be sincere, he beat [Michael] Chandler, OK, however Chandler isn’t a prime 15. And there’s talks of him combating Justin Gaethje already. And once more, the UFC isn’t flawed. They will make the fights they need. the best way I see it, Dariush is hard however he’s not on the hype. He misplaced to 2 robust guys and everyone—even myself—is saying he’s previous, that he’s getting knocked out. If I beat him, that doesn’t transfer me up that a lot, but it surely all depends upon the efficiency and what I say, and the followers. That’s what issues.”
Makhachev vacated the 155-pound belt to pursue extra gold at welterweight, and Oliveira faces Ilia Topuria for the vacant throne in the principle occasion of UFC 317. Tsarukyan serves because the backup fighter in case somebody occurs to both athlete, however Moicano doesn’t see himself too far off from the title image.
“The UFC noticed I’ve a ton of followers,” Moicano stated. “I fought at UFC 311, and I’m once more on the principle card underneath the light-weight title combat. They’re put me up there. Dana White, Hunter [Campbell], they have been all on the press convention and noticed individuals screaming ‘Cash, Cash’. That’s what issues on the finish of the day. They may take a look at that and go, ‘He’s 36, he’s not younger anymore, it doesn’t make sense for him to combat for the belt, however he’s received a following. Let’s give him an fascinating combat.’ So they may put me towards somebody on the identical state of affairs, somebody widespread.
“What this combat makes for me is nice cash within the pocket, since I’m renewing my contract, and arrange higher fights. Not for the belt, however who is aware of? All of it depends upon the efficiency, the speech, of followers giving it a like on YouTube, ?”
