Renato Moicano is seeking to combat sooner moderately than later, however for an opponent like Justin Gaethje he’s prepared to attend.
Recent off his second-round stoppage win over Benoit Saint Denis within the UFC Paris essential occasion, Moicano wasted no time trying forward at what’s subsequent. With 4 wins in a row within the UFC’s ultra-competitive light-weight division, the 35-year-old Brazilian believes he’s earned the chance to face a giant title, however greater than something he desires the possibility to maneuver nearer to a title shot.
“I’d combat anyone above me within the rankings,” Moicano instructed MMA Preventing. “Justin Gaethje, everyone actually. I don’t care. I wish to preserve preventing, like I preserve telling everyone I’m 35, I have to go. That’s time to go. I want another win. I want a title shot.
“Relying on the opponent and the way my subsequent combat goes, that positively may very well be a title shot subsequent. I wish to combat as quickly as potential.”
Gaethje is an intriguing chance as probably the most acknowledged names within the division with a method that at all times gives entertaining fights. The previous interim light-weight champion hasn’t fought since April when he suffered a devastating knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, however he’s been teasing his return in latest weeks. Gaethje’s longtime supervisor Ali Abdelaziz instructed MMA Preventing he would doubtless come again in March.
Whereas Moicano is anxious to ebook his subsequent combat, Gaethje is one title that might make him hit the pause button and wait if the UFC got here calling with that matchup.
“I can wait to combat Justin Gaethje in March, one hundred pc,” Moicano mentioned. “I see no issues. Particularly him coming off a knockout, I believe I’m a great combat to check him towards, particularly as a result of he’s a wrestler. He can defend takedowns. I believe that might be an superior combat. So I’d wait till March for Gaethje.”
All through his UFC profession, Gaethje has constructed a status as arguably probably the most thrilling fighter on all the roster, incomes a exceptional eight Battle of the Evening bonuses. General, Gaethje has racked up 13 bonuses in 13 appearances within the UFC and he’s the one fighter within the historical past of the promotion to earn a post-fight bonus in every of his first seven fights with the corporate.
Previous opponents like Dustin Poirier have in contrast preventing Gaethje to going via a automobile crash — even in case you survive, you continue to don’t stroll away unscathed. That kind of opponent requires a distinct type of mindset, however Moicano guarantees he’s greater than prepared for no matter Gaethje throws at him and he’ll fireplace again with the identical dangerous intentions.
“I’d beat Justin Gaethje. I don’t care,” Moicano mentioned. “I don’t actually care. He may very well be the baddest man on the planet, the ‘BMF’ and stuff however I don’t care. I’m not shedding. In the event that they ship me the contract, I’ll knock him the f*ck out. I’m telling you.
“I’m not going to say I’m not going to shoot for a takedown as a result of I’ll, however I’ll attempt to knock him out, too. Floor-and-pound, standup, I don’t care.”
Regardless of the run he’s on proper now, Moicano acknowledges time waits for nobody and fighters discovering success on the opposite aspect of 30 is uncommon on this sport. That’s one cause why he’s so anxious to seek out out about his subsequent combat so he can get again to work within the health club and begin preparing.
In a super world, Moicano would combat someone like Gaethje subsequent after which transfer on to a title shot earlier than 2025 is over.
“I’m not shedding,” Moicano mentioned. “I can’t afford to lose, actually. I have to win each combat to get to the belt and now it’s my time.
“I don’t know the plans for Gaethje. What they’re going to do with Gaethje. Will Gaethje combat Poirier once more like final combat? They might try this but when they don’t try this, I’m right here. I’m right here to get my title shot after I beat Justin Gaethje.”
