Renato Moicano has provided unique insight into his quick loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.
The lightweight champion was originally booked against top contender Arman Tsaruykan, but the Armenian fighter withdrew from the title fight on Friday after suffering a back injury during weight loss.
Renato Moicano stepped in to replace him. The Brazilian fan favorite had already made weight for his UFC 311 fight with Beneil Dariush, who doubled down on Dana White after removing him from his first major card of 2025.
'Money' promised to shock the world by causing a stir before being brought in within one round of the Intuit Dome in California.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Renato Moicano reveals the crowd played a role in his UFC 311 loss
On Monday, Renato Moicano spoke on his YouTube channel about losing at UFC 311.
The 35-year-old broke up the fight and revealed the reason why he was choked by Makhachev.
“Unfortunately I finished on the first lap,” Moicano said. 'But I want to clarify some things.
“As you could see, when the fight started, I did very well on the feet because I had training for that. I knew Beneil would knock out Dariush twice [losses] and then I say, 'Okay, I'll try to stay on my feet,' because it's going to be very difficult to take Dariush down and keep him under control.
“I'm going to move a lot and punch him, that's what I did with Islam Makhachev. I stood in a good position. I caught him with a few punches, with a few left hands, with the right hand. I felt really good, and I think that was one of the problems.
Moicano went on to explain how Makhachev's 'perfect shot' takedown put him on his back and upset the fans. At that moment he desperately tried to get back up to appease them, but failed miserably.
He added: “The crowd started booing and I said, 'Man, I've got to get back on my feet because my feet are doing really well.' That was the problem.
“Even though he couldn't find the space to hit me or ground and stomp me effectively, I just wanted to get back on my feet so I could score with the strike.
“When I started to create the space to get back on my feet while climbing, he kind of made me feel like I could put my foot on his hips and get back up.
“But he did that so I could expose my neck. Then he grabbed with a D'arce choke and was very fast. That's why I tapped so fast because it was very locked down.”
Next step Renato Moicano vs Paddy Pimblett?
Paddy Pimblett was critical of Moicano after seeing how he fell short against the pound-for-pound best.
'The Baddy' criticized his old rival for tapping so quickly in the biggest fight of his life.
Since then, the two men have been trading insults and fighting offers on social media.
Moicano has since confirmed he wants to return against Pimblett in a few months.
“Paddy Pimblett, easy money,” he said when asked who he wants next during an interview with Ariel Helwani.
'He talks a lot of nonsense, book that fight already. I'm going to make him pay for saying that.
“That's what drives me crazy, he never had a fight at short notice and I fought pound for pound. [best] one day, and he's still talking nonsense. Who beat this guy in the UFC?
“Imagine him fighting Islam Makhachev. Tell me you think Paddy Pimblett will beat Islam Makhachev. Don't know. I don't see him beating Islam Makhachev. I don't see him being competitive, but what can I do, I wasn't competitive either.
“In the perfect world I would fight Paddy Pimblett in Brasilia. I know the UFC is going back to Brazil in April or May, and I want that main event against Paddy Pimblett.”
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