Renato Moicano (right) and Charles of the Bronx (left) are standouts in the UFC lightweight division. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
Renato Moicano looks favorably on Spanish President Pedro Sánchez’s announcement of the duel between charles do brox e Raphael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio, scheduled for October 11. However, the Brasilia native's enthusiasm gives way to concern when analyzing the risks that the fight could pose for the former champion, especially in strategic and technical aspects.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Moicano pointed out that Charles's selection raised the bar for the event, but could come at a high cost to his career. He believes that although the Brazilian has overcome similar challenges, such as against Justin gaethje e Dustin poirier, the marriage of styles makes this fight especially dangerous.
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“He saved UFC Rio, but at the price of destroying Charles Oliveira’s career… Let’s be honest, Charles’s career was built on moments like this, as it was with Justin gaethje, with himself Dustin poirier. So, it's not like he has no chance of winning. It's just a strategically bad fight," Moicano said.
Moicano sees ground as the only path to Charles Do Bronx
When analyzing the technical fit, the Brasilia native highlighted that the exchange favors Raphael Fiziev and that the best chance of victory for charles do brox would be on the ground. However, he highlighted the Kyrgyz's solid takedown defense, which could make executing this strategy difficult.
"The first thing I think: can Charles fight him standing up? I think if he fights standing up, he'll get boxed. So, we have to take him down. Who managed to take him down? Rafael dos Anjos He's a good takedown guy, and he couldn't get him down. So, he has good takedown defense. Will Charles be able to get him down? It's not an impossible mission, but it's very difficult," continued the Brasilia native.
The duel against Fiziev will mark the seventh appearance of Charles of the Bronx at UFC events in Brazil, but his debut was on Rio de Janeiro soil. The former champion won all of his Octagon fights in Brazil, the last of which was against Kevin Lee, in Brasilia, in 2020.
With Charles of the Bronx x Raphael Fiziev Confirmed as the main event, UFC Rio will take place on October 11th at Farmasi Arena, located in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro. So far, the other Brazilian fighters confirmed for the event are: Victor Petrino, Jonathan Diniz, Julia Polastri, Bia Mosque e Lucas Rocha.
Moicano points out Rafael Fiziev as the only one superior to him
R. Fiziev (left) defeated R. Moicano (right) in the UFC 256. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The fear of Renato Moicano in relation to the fight between charles do brox e Raphael Fiziev is rooted in his own experience against the Kyrgyz. The Brasilia native recalled that, of all the opponents he faced in the UFC, Fiziev was the only one who made him doubt his ability to win, mainly due to his superior striking.
"The only guy I didn't think I could beat after the fight was Fiziev. I thought he was really good. I had that feeling during the fight: he went head-to-head, I tried a takedown, and when I saw the punch, I thought, 'What am I doing here, man?'... The fight with Fiziev was the only one where I tapped him, and I felt like his striking was much better than mine," Moicano said in an interview with Sexto Round.
Rafael Fiziev is undefeated against Brazilians in the UFC
R. Dos Anjos (right) was surpassed by R. Fiziev (left) in the UFC Las Vegas 58. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC
Raphael Fiziev, in turn, arrives at UFC Rio with a great track record against Brazilians. A Muay Thai specialist, the lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) has already won Renato Moicano e Rafael dos Anjos, both by knockout, using a precise left cross as his main weapon.
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