Money by name, money by nature – if there's anyone who 'can't afford to lose' at UFC 311, popular Brazilian lightweight, Renato 'Money' Moicano.
Five fantastic fights line the main card of this weekend's PPV, with perhaps the most underrated of the bunch being the lightweight showdown between Renato Moicano and Beneil Dariush.
There's much more than a Top 6 spot at stake for Moicano, with the popular Brazilian certainly making the most of his time on the mic during the UFC 311 pre-fight press conference.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Renato Moicano reveals why he 'can't afford to lose the UFC 311 fight'
Despite having superstars like Islam Makhachev and Jiri Prochazka on stage next to him, Renato Moicano received one of the biggest compliments from the crowd during the UFC 311 press conference.
Although he is preparing for an incredibly tough fight against Dariush this Saturday, Moicano would first focus not on his incoming opponent, but on California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“How are you mother*** – first of all, before you ask a question, talk to the first responders to the California wildfires – you deserve better than Gavin Newsom.”
“F*** that, you deserve better; when they came to me to fight in california all i thought was [about] state taxes – f*** that.”
According to the Greenleaf Trust, California's top income tax rate is about 13.3%, in addition to a significant federal top rate of 37%. Moicano simply cannot afford to lose the money he has won and miss out.
“Let me tell you something, my brother, I can't afford to lose. I respect Beneil Dariush, he's good, versatile, but guess what? I'm winning [this fight].
“I can't afford to lose… Free market capitalism: you eat what you kill, and I'll kill him to get money, let's get the fuck out.”
Moicano hopes his performance at UFC 311 will be enough to earn him a rare post-fight bonus. Despite being 'Money Moicano', the Brazilian has not earned an additional $50,000 since his fight with Cub Swanson in 2018.
“To be honest, with this inflation, these types of bonuses need to be updated,” Moicano said in a recent interview with Caroline Pearce.
“$50,000 isn't the same as it was 10 years ago, but it's still good to make some extra money.”
According to several online inflation calculators, $50,000 in 2014 (when the UFC introduced the new post-fight bonus structure) is now equivalent to approximately $66,657 today.
Renato Moicano credits 'money persona' for his rise in popularity
Renato Moicano may not yet be a 'household name' in the wider combat sports world, but he is certainly one of the most popular fighters competing on the current UFC roster.
But despite being in the UFC for over a decade, his popularity has only exploded in recent years; something he credits his 'money persona' for.
“It's funny, you know, I've been in the UFC for ten years and I didn't have a lot of fans or a lot of people watching me and now – I wouldn't say I have a huge fan base – but some people like my work, what I say, I think is funny and I'm happy with that.”
Moicano is approached by MMA and cryptocurrency fans everywhere he goes, but “especially in Brazil,” where he is seen by many as a local hero.
“Especially people who like Bitcoin and who have a libertarian kind of politics, because I talk about that a lot.
“But honestly, I don't really care. I'm not here to please anyone, I just want money.”
UFC 311: Makhachev vs Tsarukyan takes place this Saturday, live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
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