Moicano downplays fight against rival, admits to old age and predicts he can 'serve as a stepping stone' in the UFC.

Moicano at UFC weigh-in. Photo: Reproduction/UFC.

Renato Moicano does not believe he will have the opportunity to face Dan Hooker in the UFC octagon. Recently, a exchange of barbs This has heightened the rivalry between the Brazilian and the New Zealander, but even with the mutual interest in the fight, the fighter predicts that the organization's plans are going in a different direction.

During an interview with Ariel Helwani's show, Moicano assessed that both he and Hooker are already experienced athletes and that, therefore, the UFC tends to use them as tests for rising names. In the Brazilian's view, the organization should prioritize a duel between... Benoit Saint-Denis e Dan Hooker.

See too

Former fighter defends Francis Ngannou and criticizes UFC: 'There is no bigger bully than them'

Former champion praises Makhachev's career, but states: 'In my prime, I would have given you a beating'

Jean Silva returns to the octagon against the sixth-ranked fighter at UFC 324.

"Let's be honest, we're both old, and they probably want to use us as rivals to promising young players. I think what they're going to do is put the..." Benoit Saint-Denis against Dan Hooker.”, said Moicano.

In an ironic tone, the Brazilian fighter also stated that neither of them are at their best right now, but that he considers Hooker technically inferior. According to Moicano, the New Zealander lacks a solid ground game, doesn't possess great knockout power, and struggles in grappling exchanges.

“He’s right. I’m terrible, and so is he. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s much, much worse than me; he has no ground game, no knockout power, and doesn’t know how to grapple. Unfortunately for both of us, the UFC won’t promote this fight,” concluded the Brazilian.