Renato Moicano is seeking to battle sooner slightly than later, however for an opponent like Justin Gaethje he’s keen to attend.
Recent off his second-round stoppage win over Benoit Saint Denis within the UFC Paris important occasion, Moicano wasted no time wanting 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 identify, however greater than something he desires the prospect to maneuver nearer to a title shot.
“I’d battle anyone above me within the rankings,” Moicano instructed MMA Combating. “Justin Gaethje, all people actually. I don’t care. I need to hold combating, like I hold telling all people I’m 35, I must go. That’s time to go. I would like yet one more win. I would like a title shot.
“Relying on the opponent and the way my subsequent battle goes, that undoubtedly could possibly be a title shot subsequent. I need to battle as quickly as attainable.”
Gaethje is an intriguing chance as one of the acknowledged names within the division with a mode 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 Combating he would probably come again in March.
Whereas Moicano is anxious to ebook his subsequent battle, Gaethje is one identify that may make him hit the pause button and wait if the UFC got here calling with that matchup.
“I can wait to battle Justin Gaethje in March, one hundred pc,” Moicano stated. “I see no issues. Particularly him coming off a knockout, I believe I’m a superb battle to check him towards, particularly as a result of he’s a wrestler. He can defend takedowns. I believe that may be an superior battle. 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 outstanding eight Battle of the Evening bonuses. Total, 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 combating Gaethje to going by way of a automobile crash — even when you survive, you continue to don’t stroll away unscathed. That type of opponent requires a unique sort of mindset, however Moicano guarantees he’s greater than prepared for no matter Gaethje throws at him and he’ll hearth again with the identical dangerous intentions.
“I’d beat Justin Gaethje. I don’t care,” Moicano stated. “I don’t actually care. He could possibly 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 search out out about his subsequent battle so he can get again to work within the fitness center and begin preparing.
In an excellent world, Moicano would battle someone like Gaethje subsequent after which transfer on to a title shot earlier than 2025 is over.
“I’m not shedding,” Moicano stated. “I can’t afford to lose, actually. I must win each battle 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 battle Poirier once more like final battle? They may do this but when they don’t do this, I’m right here. I’m right here to get my title shot after I beat Justin Gaethje.”
