Renato Moicano Couldn’t Pass Up This Opportunity

Rafael Fiziev was out of his matchup with Rafael Dos Anjos, and UFC matchmakers needed a new opponent for the former lightweight champion. Moicano, whose second-round stoppage of Hernandez was his third win in four fights since moving up to lightweight, plainly could not turn down the chance to fight someone inside the Top 10 in a co-main event at UFC 272. The next thing he knew, Moicano was on a flight to Las Vegas.

“I really don't know why the UFC picked me, but I'm very thankful to be able to be here and represent the UFC, my country, my city, my team,” Moicano said. “I'm gonna put on a show to the fans.”

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Initially, Moicano worried his decision was a selfish one. Training at American Top Team, Moicano doesn’t get much time with his family, and he misses them dearly. After his fight in Houston, he told UFC.com the first thing on his post-fight to-do list was to FaceTime his wife and son. After some thought, however, Moicano knew taking the fight against Dos Anjos was not only a great opportunity for himself, but also for his family.

“It’s because this is for them, too,” he said. “It's because I know that this will make a difference in our future, and in my coaches' and friends' future, as well.

“I don't think that this is a selfish decision because I took it after talking a lot to my family. My wife was the first one to say, ‘Go, you should fight. It's a great opportunity and we will have time to enjoy things later.’ She encouraged me a lot. She trusts me, and that's what matters.”

Having that spousal support certainly helps, but the fight presents plenty of motivation in and of itself.

Dos Anjos looked strong in his return to 155 back in November 2020, defeating Paul Felder (who also stepped in on five days’ notice), but Dos Anjos hasn’t seen action since. A matchup with Islam Makhachev was teased but never came to fruition. What was originally a February main event against Fiziev fizzled out first because of Fiziev’s visa issues and then because of a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Dos Anjos wanted to keep the date, and so now he fights his fellow Brazilian. For Moicano, though, he’s less caught up in the specter of fighting RDA and more enticed about the chances a win on March 5 could provide.

Fresh off the plane!! @moicanoufc is in the building!!! #UFC272 pic.twitter.com/rtQT9ztLyy

— Nobz Manivanh (@nobz_ufc) March 2, 2022

Those don’t come as a burden for Moicano, though. He is eager to represent his loved ones, and when he makes the walk at T-Mobile Arena on March 5, he’ll do so with the respect and admiration of his peers in tow. 

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“This is going to show to other fighters and the UFC that I have my word,” Moicano said. “I'm here for my family, but also for the company. I believe this win will put me in the spotlight in the weight class. My prediction is that it's going to be a great fight and that, no matter what, I'll have my hand raised in the end.”