Renato “Moicano” Carneiro is one tough son of a gun. The UFC lightweight took a short-notice opportunity, and although he tasted defeat, many new fans were gained.
UFC 272’s co-main event this past weekend took a hit when the original opponent for Rafael dos Anjos, Rafael Fiziev, tested positive for COVID-19 at the start of fight week. Many names stepped up, but in the end, it was Moicano who got the opportunity.
As the round entered its fifth and final rounds, Moicano began to experience swelling around his left eye. The doctors had to enter the octagon in order to evaluate the injury. Referee Marc Goddard gave Moicano 30 seconds into the round to prove he was fine otherwise the fight would be stopped. That warning served its purpose as Moicano rallied to win the round on two of the three judges’ scorecards.
Days after his narrowly-resolved defeat, Moicano feels good. He is coping with little pain despite the battered exterior.
“I’m really thankful the [ref] didn’t stop the fight because otherwise, I would not know what I’m made of,” Moicano said to TMZ Sports. “I try to move forward and I try to fight back. The referee did a fantastic job .”
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For the 32-year-old Moicano, the loss acted as the fifth of his 22-fight career (16-5-1) and snapped a two-fight winning streak. In typical short-notice fill-ins, we’ll see fighters get right up off the couch to make the best of the situation. In Moicano’s case, he had fought just a month prior at UFC 271 when earning a second-round submission against Alexander Hernandez.
Keeping all of the facts and outcomes in mind, Moicano could still make it over, if necessary.
“I don’t regret doing it,” he stated. “I knew I was not 100 percent for the fight because I was coming from a good training camp against Hernandez but it was for three rounds and I finished the guy. Moicano stated that he flew to Brazil straight after training and was already enjoying his vacation. You know what, have some beer and eat steaks. The opportunity presented itself, and you must take it up. I was eager to defeat him. His game plan was better than mine.
“He took me down, what I got mad about everything was that he dominated me on the ground, I’m mad about that. I’m really mad about that, I’m going to have to go to the gym and work on my jiu-jitsu, work on my wrestling. I was not expecting that but I knew I didn’t have the time for training but I still would take the fight.”
TOP STORIES
Deal. Kayla Henry says that PFL has promised to bring in top-name fighters once they sign a new contract.
$$$. Joanna Jedrzejczyk is still passionate about fighting, but she admits that her income comes from outside of the Octagon.
Scolding. Stephen A. Smith asks why Jorge Masvidal wasn’t ready to wrestle .”
Scared. Alex Pereira sees Israel Adesanya as a potential opponent in a rematch.
Break. Rafael dos Anjos explains reason for letting up against Renato Moicano at UFC 272.
VIDEO STEW
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks with A.J. McKee
Reaction to Kayla Harrison re-signing with PFL.
RIZIN Confessions.
The Fight With Teddy Atlas: Chael Sun and Anthony Smith.
Kamaru Usman with Shannon Sharpe.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. A.J. McKee and Kevin Lee have a chat with Damon Martin, MMA Fighting.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Inspirational Weili.
Training Weili.
Khabib looks on.
It continues.
No. I’d be in Bellator fighting the taller chick in that pic. https://t.co/mpZsctR8s5
— Kayla Harrison (@KaylaH) March 8, 2022
A Funky novel.
Pumped to announce my book is coming out this year. This book was one of the projects I began when Corona struck. It took me longer than expected, but I was happy with the results. Hope you enjoy reading about my journey as much as I enjoyed living it https://t.co/XbxyQDnvcF pic.twitter.com/7Ju7TDyE7P
— Funky (@Benaskren) March 8, 2022
Summertime Thuggin’?
https://t.co/hZZBYr8fnK pic.twitter.com/NxVHzDq5UW
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 9, 2022
Fancy fighter Sanko.
Wholesome Robert.
It’s been a rejuvenating few weeks time to get back to work. Onwards. pic.twitter.com/McM2rZoCoX
— Robert Whittaker (@robwhittakermma) March 8, 2022
Support for Kayla.
You can hate on Kayla Harrison all you’d like. We are prizefighters. We fight for MONEY. We don’t have a retirement plan nor a health plan.
If you could make a million a year you would in a heart beat.
— Jay Perrin (@Joker_Gang35) March 8, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Diana Avsaragova (4-0) vs. Kyra Batara (8-4); Bellator 276, Mar. 12
Damir Hadzovic (14-6) vs. Steve Garcia Jr. (12-4); UFC Vegas 52, Apr. 23
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-1) vs. Justine Kish (7-5); Bellator 279, Apr. 23
Kyoji Horiguchi (29-4) vs. Patchy Mix (15-1); Bellator 279, Apr. 23
Sergio Pettis (22-5) vs. Raufeon Stotts (17-1); Bellator 279, Apr. 23
Cris Cyborg (25-2) vs. Arlene Blencowe (15-8); Bellator 279, Apr. 23
Liang Na (15-5) vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (10-4); UFC 275, June 11
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading!
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