Renato Moicano is looking to make big strides in the UFC’s talent-rich lightweight division in 2025 and that includes a potential clash with “BMF” titleholder and former UFC featherweight king Max Holloway.
As of now, the red-hot Moicano is set to put his four-fight win streak on the line in a critical lightweight scrap with Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 this January in Inglewood, California. It will be an opportunity for Moicano to prove he’s ready to fight the best lightweights in the world and another potential victory that would land him close to title contention.
However, Moicano has his sights set on more than just lightweight gold in 2025. If it was up to him, “Money” would find himself in a “BMF” title fight with Holloway after a win over Dariush at UFC 311.
“I would love to do that, especially Max Holloway now says he’s done at 145,” Moicano told MMA Fighting. “If he really wants to be a 155’er, I think that would be an awesome fight, especially because that’s going to put me on [track for a title shot].
“100 percent if you beat Max Holloway, you’re fighting for the title. It’s a fight that I would be willing to take 100 percent.”
Moicano, 35. has become a bit of a fan favorite over the past two years. With stoppages over the likes of Benoit Saint-Denis, Jalin Turner, and Brad Riddell, Moicano understands how to finish fights and give fans exactly what they want. Hosting a popular — and somewhat controversial — podcast doesn’t hurt the Brazilian’s popularity either.
At the end of the day, Moicano is a company man and will fight anyone UFC puts in his way. This includes Holloway or mouthy lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett, who has called out Moicano in the past.
“I will do what the UFC wants,” Moicano said. “If the UFC wants me to break his face, it’s going to be easy money. If not, I’ll move on and fight somebody else in the top five or for the title.
“Like I said, the title is good, but I want to build a brand. I want to build something bigger. A name, a persona, call it whatever you call it so after I’m done, I can capitalize on that. Like it or not, Paddy has a huge audience, he has a big name. That would be very good for my career so I would never say no.”
