Renato Moicano is looking forward to an “easy” fight when the UFC returns to Rio de Janeiro on May 4, and hopes to face Dan Hooker in his next fight after his bout with Drew Dober.
Renato Moicano is all set to steal the spotlight. He’s looking forward to UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro on May 4. He’s expecting an “easy” fight that night.
He’s up against Drew Dober in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 85. This is his first fight since he finished off Brad Riddell in the first round at Madison Square Garden in November 2022. And guess what? He’s already got his next opponent in mind: Dan Hooker.
“I love UFC Brazil cards,” Moicano chuckles. He adds, “They always bring easier opponents too.” He was on the MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast when he said this. Moicano believes UFC always gives fans easy fights to enjoy. “Let’s see,” he says.
Moicano has fought in Brazil four times since joining UFC. He’s defeated Tom Niinimaki, Zubaira Tukhugov, and Damir Hadzovic. His only defeat on home soil was in Fortaleza in 2019. He lost to ex-champion Jose Aldo in a second-round stoppage. “But then I was the easy fight [for Aldo],” he laughs.
“Every time there’s a card in Brazil, they want to see a Brazilian party,” Moicano says. He believes that aside from a fight between two Brazilians, the card always favors Brazilians.
So, who are the “easy” opponents he’d like to face at UFC 301? That’s if he gets past Dober on Saturday. Moicano doesn’t hesitate. “An easy ranked [opponent]? Dan Hooker,” he says. He also mentions Bobby Green and Michael Chandler. But he admits there’s no path to fighting Chandler now as he’s fighting McGregor. “I’m not worried,” he says. “I’m worried about fighting. Drew Dober is a tough opponent. I’ll beat him, and then someone will be ready to get beat at UFC Rio, and I’ll beat him.”
Hooker tried his luck as a featherweight in 2022. He then returned to 155 pounds and won two bouts in a row against Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner. But Moicano isn’t counting on “The Hangman” agreeing to share the cage with him.
“He’s running too much. He’s run so many times,” Moicano says. He recalls when Bobby Green beat Grant Dawson. “Dan Hooker went on Twitter, ‘You and I, Bobby Green. F*ck Moicano.’ He’s running, and he knows it.”
Moicano believes that Jalin Turner, while not an easy fight, is a good match for him. He says, “I’m tall, and their ground games are no good.” He admits that Turner is good on his feet and that Hooker beat him. But he still thinks they’re good matchups for him. “Let’s see,” he says.
No matter who’s standing across the cage, Moicano knows he has to make the most of every second under the UFC’s bright lights. “You can change your whole career with one fight,” he says.
“I’m trying to attack from all fronts and show a bit more of my personality,” Moicano says. He believes it will bear fruits. “A good speech after a win, an opponent that makes sense, something the UFC can’t deny. I’m chasing money, I’m chasing rankings, I’m chasing a career. A good win and imposing my narrative. Moicano deserves good fights. You have to be the complete package, and I’m planning on executing the plan Saturday, February 3.”