UFC Paris headliner Renato Moicano: Paddy Pimblett would be tougher fight than Dan Hooker

Renato Moicano sees some marquee lightweight fights in the offing if he gets through Benoit Saint Denis in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 243 main event.

Moicano (19-6-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC) will step onto the headlining stage for the second time in his UFC tenure Saturday when he takes on France’s own Benoit Saint Denis (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at Accor Arena in Paris (ESPN+).

The Brazilian has won five of his past six fights entering the showdown with Saint Denis, and he expects the upward trajectory to only continue if his hand is raised.

“If I beat Benoit Saint Denis, I am in a good position,” Moicano told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I get these main events. I get the popularity of the audience. And if he beats me, it’s going to be good for him, too, because I am a veteran. UFC always benefits from whatever, so I don’t really care. I’m focused on myself, my training camp and on the fight week and to deliver the best performance.”

If Moicano is able to enter enemy territory this weekend and get the job done, he said two names are frequently being thrown his way – and that’s Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker.

Pimblett, who is coming off a breakthrough submission win over Bobby Green at UFC 304 in July, repeatedly has stated he wants Moicano next, regardless of whether he wins or loses against Saint Denis.

Hooker, meanwhile, got a monumental triumph of his own at UFC 305 in August when he edged Mateusz Gamrot by split decision. “The Hangman” has expressed his desire to fight upward in the 155-pound rankings, but Moicano has an eye on Hooker, too..

“(Pimblett is a) harder (fight) than Dan Hooker, brother,” Moicano said. “I think so. His last fight, he did great against Bobby Green. What can I say? He did good. Bobby Green is a tough fighter. Bobby Green is very hard to finish. Even though Bobby Green is more of a boxer, he has a very good defensive grappling. The transition was good. The transition for the guillotine to the triangle then finishing him, it was a great performance.

“(Hooker is) above me in the rankings, and I say to you I like easy fights. Who knows.”

Before any other fights can become real, Moicano said it’s important his focus stays on the task at hand with Saint Denis. The pair had their first fight week staredown on Tuesday in front of the host venue, and it was a respectful scene. Moicano said that was intentional and said his energy will change as the time to step in the octagon approaches.

"Money Moicano" and the "God of War" sized each other up for the first time today. #UFCParis pic.twitter.com/rUt5RuSjYt

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 24, 2024

“I didn’t take too much away,” Moicano said. “It’s still Tuesday. I don’t know why we did a faceoff today. I think on Friday it’s going to be more raw. Today was too respectful, and there is no point in starting to be pumped on Tuesday. I will wait a little bit more.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 243.