UFC lightweight Renato Moicano was all smiles after earning a victory at the recent UFC Fight Pass Invitational grappling event in Las Vegas. The Brazilian grappling ace was able to put his skills on display in a pure grappling contest without having to worry about the striking aspect of MMA.
“Feel good. Feel less sore. Right? Less damaging,” Moicano said about competing in a grappling-only format compared to an MMA bout. He enjoyed being able to let loose with his grappling without the physical toll of a full MMA bout.
When asked if he would want to do more grappling competitions like this, Moicano responded emphatically “100 percent, every week.”
Moicano was pleased with how smoothly the transition was from MMA competition to pure grappling. “It was very easy because the problem with not punching somebody in the face, it’s hard to get in a good position. Right? ”
The always outspoken Moicano didn’t hold back when the topic turned to who he might want to grapple next. “Give me Gordon Ryan. I’m gonna finish him,” Moicano stated, calling out one of the sports’ elite no-gi grapplers.
While relishing his grappling showcase, Moicano is still focused on his UFC career and a potential with Conor McGregor’s opponent Michael Chandler, saying “I pray to MMA gods that Conor wins that fight because f***ing Chandler is a fake.”
UFC president Dana White was in attendance for Moicano’s grappling match, though Moicano joked “Unfortunately I didn’t see Dana, otherwise I would say ‘Hey Dana, give me Paddy (Pimblett)’.”
Overall, Renato Moicano seemed to thoroughly enjoy his experience at the UFC’s grappling invitational while still keeping his sights set on bigger MMA goals inside the Octagon.
Full results from UFC FPI 7:
Nick Rodriguez def. Mason Fowler via Points (6 – 0)
Renato Moicano def. Cristian Guzman via Points (7 – -1)
Luke Griffith def. Kaynan Duarte via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 4:14 of Regulation
Giancarlo Bodoni def. Gabriel Arges via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 5:44 of Regulation
Renato Canuto def. Aaron Wilson via Submission (Inverted Heel Hook) at 2:02 of Regulation
Jonnatas Gracie def. Jay Rodriguez via Points (8 – 2)
Raquel Canuto def. Aislin O’Connell via Points (14 – -1)
Piter Frank def. Rafael Domingos via Verbal Submission (Armbar) at 3:45 of Regulation
Oliver Taza def. Pedro Rocha via Points (0 – -1)
Helena Crevar def. Aurelie Le Vern via Judges’ Decision
