Renato Moicano is eager to fight Paddy Pimblett due to the marketability and exposure of the matchup, despite initially doubting Pimblett’s abilities, which changed after witnessing his impressive win over Bobby Green.
Renato Moicano has long had his sights set on a future fight with Paddy Pimblett. It’s not just because it’s a marketable matchup, but also one he’s confident he’d win.
But did his stance change after watching Pimblett dominate King Green? Especially after demolishing the veteran lightweight in the first round at UFC 304 in July?
“I am very impressed,” Moicano said about Pimblett while speaking to MMA Fighting. “After the Bobby Green fight, I think Paddy Pimblett is a tougher matchup than Dan Hooker.”
“Back in the day, I would be crazy to say that. But now, we saw what Dan Hooker did with Mateusz Gamrot. He got caught many times in the first round. It was close.”
“I don’t think he won, but you see how Paddy Pimblett finished Bobby Green. Bobby Green isn’t easy to submit. Props to Paddy Pimblett.”
Moicano admits he thought Pimblett was more hype than reality. The way he beat Green definitely caught the Brazilian’s attention.
“I was one of the doubters,” Moicano confessed. “But he did great against Bobby Green. He deserves some respect. Not much, but some.”
At UFC Paris, Moicano headlines for the second time in his career. He’s hoping to build on his three-fight win streak against Benoit Saint Denis in the main event.
On paper, Moicano is taking a step back by fighting Saint Denis, who ranks lower than him. But rankings don’t matter much to him.
It’s similar to his interest in fighting Pimblett. Moicano knows a number next to someone’s name doesn’t automatically give them more credibility or fan attention.
Instead, he prefers fights under the brightest spotlight. Right now, at lightweight, Pimblett might be one of the biggest matchups available for anyone not named Conor McGregor.
“Rankings don’t matter,” Moicano said bluntly. “If they did, I wouldn’t fight Benoit Saint Denis. There’s no point fighting backwards.”
“The only reason I’m fighting him is because he’s tough and that fight will give me exposure.”
“In this sport, as in life, you need exposure. You need people to want to watch you, follow you on social media, buy your stuff.”
“That’s what moves not only the sport but every marketplace. Of course, Paddy Pimblett is a fight I think would be awesome.”
Moicano understands that name value carries more weight than rankings in the UFC. That’s why he never gets lost in those numbers when offered a fight.
“We see some guys in the top 15 that people don’t even know,” Moicano said. “It doesn’t f*cking matter.”
“People don’t know rankings; they know personalities they can relate to. Some people are funny; others are different.”
“Because UFC doesn’t make decisions based on rankings,” he added. “They make decisions based on popularity and money-making potential.”
Though he doesn’t want to single out anyone, Moicano used Beneil Dariush as an example of someone with a ranking but little fan interest.
“I don’t want to talk too much shit because I have nothing against him,” Moicano said. “He’s a great human being and fighter but not in his prime anymore.”
“If I could choose between Dariush or Saint Denis or even Paddy Pimblett—sometimes even Bobby Green—I’d choose someone else right now.”
“It’s all about how people perceive you and your career at the moment,” Moicano explained.
Based solely on rankings, beating Pimblett wouldn’t move him up much. But Moicano couldn’t care less about those numbers.
Pimblett has become one of the most talked-about fighters on the UFC roster. That’s what gets Moicano’s attention.
“100 percent, I would be willing to fight Paddy Pimblett,” Moicano said confidently. “I think it would be a great fight.”
“But let’s see Sept. 28, and then I will talk some shit.”