Renato Moicano was by no means a fan of Benoit Saint Denis getting a struggle towards Dustin Poirier as a result of based mostly on rankings and expertise, the matchup simply didn’t make a lot sense.
In actuality, Saint Denis gave the impression to be a star on the rise, particularly with the UFC in search of marketable fighters popping out of Europe and he made an excellent accounting for himself earlier than in the end struggling a second-round knockout loss. Now six months later it’s Moicano who obtained the decision to face Saint Denis in his residence nation as the principle occasion for UFC Paris on Saturday.
Very similar to the Poirier struggle, Moicano knew the agenda the UFC had in thoughts earlier than the ink on the contract was dry.
“You’re going to drive me to say issues that UFC don’t like,” Moicano stated when talking to MMA Combating. “However I believe it’s that — UFC likes Benoit Saint Denis. UFC needs to push Benoit Saint Denis and that’s the reality. He went into the UFC with superb performances. He beat his opponents in an excellent style however he didn’t face large names. To struggle towards Dustin Poirier, that’s not a straightforward struggle to get. How many individuals struggle Dustin Poirier? Poirier fought [Conor] McGregor, he fought you title it, within the 155 division he fought everyone, he’s a legend.
“100% should you win towards Dustin Poirier, you’re in a title shot dialog. That’s why Poirier after Benoit Saint Denis fought for the belt. So 100%, they’re attempting to push Benoit Saint Denis and I’m not even mad at that.”
As a widely known fan of creating wealth, Moicano can’t fault the UFC for investing in a gifted prospect like Saint Denis with hopes that he might turn into a draw throughout Europe.
With Conor McGregor lacking in motion since 2021 and European champions like Leon Edwards now not holding titles, the UFC wants new names to advertise and Saint Denis actually suits that invoice.
“It’s simply enterprise,” Moicano stated. “I do know Europe is a big market. They don’t have many European fighters doing very effectively and Benoit Saint Denis is a harmful fighter. He’s an aggressive fighter and the UFC likes him. He’s younger. He’s European. Good advertising and marketing, he could make good cash for the UFC
“However guess what? UFC known as the unsuitable man as a result of I’m going over there and I’m beating him.”
One more reason why Moicano is aware of that Saint Denis is getting an enormous push from the UFC got here after he obtained the decision for the struggle to function the principle occasion in Paris on Saturday.
On paper, multi-time heavyweight title challenger Ciryl Gane is a extra established title with a much bigger following however he wasn’t booked for UFC Paris. As an alternative, he was initially scheduled to conflict with Alexander Volkov at UFC 308 till that struggle was not too long ago scrapped resulting from harm.
In the meantime, Saint Denis is just seven fights into his UFC profession however with a fan-friendly type and the French crowd behind him, he’s obtained that ‘it’ issue that the group loves.
“I used to be anticipating to see Ciryl Gane,” Moicano stated. “We’ve got to ask why Ciryl Gane will not be preventing in France and [he was fighting in Abu Dhabi]. That doesn’t make any sense to me. The one sense is that they wish to construct [Saint Denis] up, construct him again and proper now such as you stated, lots of people have been being attentive to [my fight at] UFC 300.
“However once more, I take my hat off to the UFC as a result of the UFC is the perfect within the enterprise for a cause. However I should show them unsuitable once more, it’s not the primary time.”
Reality be informed, Moicano says he’s been doubted his complete life and that even consists of his dad and mom telling him to surrender on preventing when he was attempting to make his means within the sport.
“All my fights all through my profession, I used to be all the time the underdog,” Moicano stated. “Not solely that, being an athlete, on a regular basis I get up and my father and my mom stated ‘you’re not going to make it, give it up, attempt to discover a job.’ I stated no, someday they’re going to see. Identical factor I really feel with the UFC.
“I’ll push, I’ll do my finest, I’ll get wins and someday the UFC should promote me the best way I wish to. And to be sincere and to be honest, in fact on my facet I believe they’re attempting to push Benoit Saint Denis nevertheless it’s France, predominant occasion, the struggle is overseas, it’s going to have a variety of cameras, a variety of consideration, so I simply should win and be myself and do what I do.”
Whether or not the highlight shines brightest on Saint Denis or not, Moicano is aware of his job stays the identical.
He might not have the group on his facet and the percentages say he’s not anticipated to win however that received’t cease Moicano from doing all the pieces attainable to notch his fourth straight win within the UFC>
“I’m going over there and I’m profitable,” Moicano stated. “I’m doing all the pieces that I have to do to be prepared for Sept. 28. I’m not attempting to spar actually laborious and win each spherical on the fitness center. I’m not killing myself the best way I used to do. I’m coaching very laborious, very diligently, however I’m coaching the best way I have to, to be on my peak efficiency Sept. 28. I’m not f*cking giving up.
“I’m going over there to deliver the warmth, to deliver the present and to win. That’s the reality. I wish to win. I need the bonus and I need the double checks.”