Renato Moicano has been left fuming after learning that his TKO win over Benoit Saint Denis in the main event of UFC Fight Night 243 in Paris, France on Saturday night has failed to earn him a spot in the lightweight Top 10 rankings.
Moicano had been ranked No.11 in the division prior to the fight and handed the No.12 placed Saint Denis a savage first round ground-and-pound beatdown that would ultimately lead to a doctor’s stoppage at the end of the round that followed due to the fact both of his opponents eyes were all but swelled shut.
As such it seemed inevitable that Moicano’s four-fight winning streak, which also includes victories over the likes of Jalin Turner, Drew Dober and Brad Ridell, would earn him a spot in the Top 10 rankings, but instead he’s remained stuck at No.11, still just one place above BSD.
“There’s no way I’m not #6 in the lightweight division right now,” Moicano wrote on X in disbelief after the update.
“If UFC Rankings Aren’t Total Bullsh*t, I Should Be Ranked #6 in the Lightweight Division Tomorrow. Why? In the last 8 months, I’ve fought 3 times and I’m on a 6-fight win streak in the lightweight division, with 5 stoppages. Yet, ranked above me are:
“#10 Max Holloway: A legend, but he’s a 145 and will be facing Topuria for the featherweight belt at UFC 308. Even if he loses, his spot in the lightweight rankings makes no sense. He just beat Gaethje, so if anything, he should be ranked #3. I’d gladly take #7 if that was case.
“#9 Rafael Fiziev: Coming off 2 losses to Mateusz Gamrot and Justin Gaethje. His last fight was in September 2023.
“#8 Mateusz Gamrot: Coming off a loss to Dan Hooker in August 2024.
“#7 Beneil Dariush: Coming off 2 losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. His last fight was in December 2023.
“#6 Michael Chandler: If anyone doesn’t deserve this spot, it’s Michael Chandler. He’s 2-3 in the UFC, coming off a loss to Dustin Poirier in November 2022. Since then, he’s been sitting out, waiting for Conor McGregor’s return, and only now decided to fight Charles Oliveira.”
Whether Moicano should be No.6 or not is still up for debate, but it’s hard to argue that his win on Saturday night didn’t earn him a move up the rankings.
Back on Saturday night Moicano had also taken issue with the fact that Dan Hooker is currently ranked No.5 in the division, having leapt all the way from No.11 after he extended his winning streak to three fights with a split-decision win over Mateusz Gamrot .
“I don’t know how he’s in the top five – that’s unbelievable,” Moicano had mused during the ESPN post-fight show. “It’s like to see a turtle in a tree. Have you seen a turtle in a tree? Somebody put him there. That’s the whole thing, you know? He didn’t climb the tree, but he’s on the tree. So if they want to give me an easy pass for the title shot, Dan Hooker is easy money.”
Hooker is one of two fighters Moicano has targeted for his next fight, with the other being Paddy Pimblett.
Time to be the number 6 in the world!!! Tag the reporters and let’s make this happen #easymoney #ufc pic.twitter.com/ix7MewyL1M
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) October 1, 2024
