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 Preventing he was born solely 15 days earlier than Dariush in Could 1989 – however needs 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 battle 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 Struggle Week, and Moicano doesn’t anticipate 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, you understand?” Moicano instructed MMA Preventing. “It’s a battle like every other within the UFC. But it surely’s like I mentioned, perhaps it’s one of the favorable fights within the high 10. I mentioned, ‘Oh, he’s coming off three losses.’ Actually it’s solely two, Charles [Oliveira] and Arman. One is preventing for the belt and the opposite one is the No. 1 contender, so it’s not like this man is lifeless. He’s not lifeless, 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, instructed MMA Preventing in April 2024 that Dariush had additionally suffered head trauma within the fitness center the 12 months prior as the results of a pair of knockdowns and a knockout, and that’s one cause he requested Dariush to take time without work from coaching.
Moicano is conscious of the troublesome occasions Dariush endured in 2023 and notes that his absence might 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 unhealthy for him there,” Moicano mentioned with amusing. “I feel that being extra energetic might help me, however such as you mentioned, he’s taken the time. However I see that he might nonetheless have many doubts, you understand? 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 profitable streak when he jumped on a last-minute shot at glory in opposition to 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 at all times about who you beat,” Moicano mentioned. “It’s about who you beat, who you’re. Have a look at Paddy Pimblett, man. Let’s be trustworthy, he beat [Michael] Chandler, OK, however Chandler isn’t a high 15. And there’s talks of him preventing Justin Gaethje already. And once more, the UFC isn’t incorrect. They’ll 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 all people—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 is dependent 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 mentioned. “I fought at UFC 311, and I’m once more on the principle card below the light-weight title battle. They’re put me up there. Dana White, Hunter [Campbell], they have been all on the press convention and noticed folks screaming ‘Cash, Cash’. That’s what issues on the finish of the day. They’ll take a look at that and go, ‘He’s 36, he’s not younger anymore, it doesn’t make sense for him to battle for the belt, however he’s bought a following. Let’s give him an attention-grabbing battle.’ So they are going to put me in opposition to somebody on the identical scenario, somebody in style.
“What this battle 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 is dependent upon the efficiency, the speech, of followers giving it a like on YouTube, you understand?”
