Renato Moicano: The Brazilian Submission Specialist in the UFC Lightweight Division
Renato "Moicano" Carneiro, born on May 21, 1989 in Brasília, Brazil, is an experienced and versatile mixed martial artist (MMA) currently competing in the UFC lightweight division. Moicano is known for his excellent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, his dangerous submission skills and his strong fighting mentality. With his ability to take fights to the ground and neutralize his opponents, he has established himself as a serious challenger in one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC.
Early Life and Career
Renato Moicano began his martial arts career in Brazil, where he specialized in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a discipline in which he earned a black belt. He quickly developed into a strong grappler, and his passion for martial arts eventually led him to MMA. Moicano began his professional MMA career in 2010, and thanks to his strong ground skills and technical prowess, he quickly built an impressive undefeated record.
His performances in the Brazilian regional circuits and international organizations caught the attention of the UFC, and in 2014 he made his debut at the top level.
UFC Career
Renato Moicano made his UFC debut in December 2014 at UFC Fight Night 58 , where he defeated Tom Niinimäki via submission (rear-naked choke) in the second round. His impressive debut showed that Moicano was a fighter to be reckoned with, especially due to his strong Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and ability to finish fights quickly.
Moicano initially fought in the featherweight division, earning notable wins against tough competitors such as Jeremy Stephens, Cub Swanson, and Calvin Kattar. He established himself as a serious contender in the division, battling elite fighters such as Brian Ortega and José Aldo. Despite suffering some setbacks against these top contenders, Moicano remained a constant in the division thanks to his impressive fighting style and ability to reinvent himself.
In 2020, Moicano decided to move up to lightweight, where he found immediate success. In his lightweight debut, he defeated Damir Hadzovic via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round at UFC Fight Night 170. His successful move up to the new weight class made it clear that he was still a formidable challenger, regardless of weight.
Moicano continued to perform strongly in the lightweight division, defeating fighters such as Jai Herbert and Alexander Hernandez. His aggressive grappling and ability to turn fights to his advantage made him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.
Style and Technique
Renato Moicano is known for his elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his ability to quickly force submissions. His specialty is controlling his opponents on the ground and looking for submission opportunities such as rear-naked chokes, triangle chokes and other grueling techniques. Moicano's strong grappling makes him a constant threat on the ground, and he is adept at closing fights from dominant positions.
In addition to his strong ground game, Moicano also has solid striking skills. His striking is based on a mix of effective Muay Thai techniques and a strong jab, which he uses to keep distance and create openings for takedowns. His all-round skills make him a complete fighter who feels comfortable both standing and on the ground.
Future Ambitions
Renato Moicano remains focused on his goal of climbing the UFC lightweight division. With his strong grappling skills and growth as a complete fighter, he hopes to establish himself as a serious title challenger. Moicano remains determined to achieve his ambitions and wants to continue fighting the best competitors in the division to eventually earn a title shot.
Conclusion
Renato Moicano is one of the most technical and dangerous fighters in the UFC lightweight division, known for his impressive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his ability to end fights quickly via submissions. His versatile skill set, combined with his strong fighting mentality, makes him a constant threat to the top of the division. As he continues to work towards his goals, Moicano remains a name to watch for the future of the UFC.
