Standing at 5’11” with a 72-inch reach, Renato Moicano is a lightweight UFC fighter (155 lbs) with expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, holding black belts in both disciplines. His nickname, “Moicano,” which means "mohawk" in Portuguese, comes from his hairstyle during training. Moicano started his martial arts journey with judo at eight and later transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. He began his professional MMA career in 2010 and gained attention for his undefeated streak in his first eight fights. During the time, he captured the interim Jungle Fight Featherweight Championship with a first-round submission victory.
Joining the UFC in 2014, Moicano made an impressive debut, defeating Tom Niinimäki via second-round submission. Over the years, he achieved notable wins against fighters like Zubaira Tukhugov and Jeremy Stephens. Despite some losses, such as his Fight of the Night bout against Brian Ortega, he remains a top contender. In 2020, Moicano moved up to the Lightweight division, where he continues to perform strongly, earning multiple Performance of the Night bonuses. With a record of 20 wins, five losses, and one draw, Moicano is known for his technical skills and versatility in the octagon.
Renato Moicano's Shoulder Injury
Renato Moicano fought with a shoulder injury in his last fight at UFC Paris against Benoit Saint-Denis. Moicano, who had injured his shoulder three weeks before the fight, chose to go through with the bout despite the risk. He entered the octagon with a visible bump on his shoulder but still managed to win the first round on the scorecards. However, in the second round, he appeared to aggravate the injury. The doctor then stopped the fight in the second round due to an eye injury suffered by Saint-Denis.
Moicano later revealed that the injury was severe, sharing an X-ray showing that a bone in his shoulder had dislodged. Despite the injury, he could maintain a competitive edge during the fight, earning praise from Dana White for his grit. After securing what he called the biggest win of his career, Moicano called out Paddy Pimblett, referring to the matchup as “easy money”. However, this matchup did not come to be, as Moicano is now scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, for his next fight.
Also Read: Why did Renato Moicano change his name?
FAQs on Renato Moicano
A. Renato Moicano had injured his shoulder three weeks before his fight against Benoit Saint-Denis.
A. Moicano beat Saint-Denis via a doctor stoppage at the end of the second round.
A. Renato Moicano is 35 years old as of January 2025.
A. No, Moicano's fighting style is predominantly grappling, as evident by his ten submission wins.
