UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano has dismissed a potential fight with Paddy Pimblett by labelling the Scouser as "weak".
Pimblett, 28, extended his unbeaten UFC run to four fights last month by winning a controversial decision win against Jared Gordon at UFC 282. Gordon landed more punches than Pimblett over three rounds, scored three takedowns and racked up over six minutes of control time. Despite this, all three judges scored the fight unanimously in favour of Pimblett as fans expressed their anger with the decision.
'The Baddy' is yet to be ranked in the lightweight division having not fought any of the top 15 contenders at the weight class. Moicano, who sits at No.13 at 155lb, thinks the UFC is protecting Pimblett because of his star power in the promotion and has ruled out a fight against him.
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“Weak, weak, weak,” Moicano said of Pimblett to Ag Fight. "It doesn’t even smell, there’s no way. You can quit. Guys who want to see a fight with Paddy Pimblett, it’s no use, there won’t be. The UFC will protect him, there’s no way around it. We have to go to the fights that can happen. Paddy Pimblett is history, it’s just talk.”
Pimblett injured his ankle during his win against Gordon and will have to undergo surgery in March, making him unable to book a fight at the upcoming pay-per-view event in London. Moicano was in action last November as he submitted Brad Riddell in the first round and the Brazilian wants to compete at UFC 287 in April.
"What I want is money,” Moicano said. “The rest doesn’t matter. Followers don't pay the bills. Being famous doesn’t pay any bills. I want a big fight, I want to fight, I’m ready. I know that April will have a card, maybe it will be in Miami. I heard there will be a card there. Moicano wants to be there fighting a guy ranked above him and making my name in that division.”
Pimblett insists that he wants to take his UFC career slowly, admitting he likely won't win a world title in the promotion for another three years. UFC legend Michael Bisping thinks the Pimblett needs to "humble himself" after his latest fight, insisting the Scouser hasn't warranted his self-praise.
"I think what Paddy needs to do is just humble himself a little bit,” Bisping said on his podcast. "Stop with this ‘I’m the new cash cow’ s****. When I asked him who would he want to fight next, ‘I don’t need to say anyone’s name because I am the man. I’m the boy, I’m the cash cow.’ You’re yet to fight someone ranked."
