Just days away from his first ever UFC main event, Renato Moicano will look to return to the win column, taking on Chan Sung Jung in Greenville, South Carolina.
Last time out, Moicano suffered just his 2nd career defeat, being stopped by Jose Aldo in Fortelaza, Brazil. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Moicano reflected on the experience in detail, hoping that it'll leave him a better fighter in the long run. “Jose Aldo is someone I respect a lot, I have no shame in admitting that he’s my idol, but that fight showed me I can stand with him and the best fighters.” he said.
“I got a lot of attention from fans, people coming to talk to me all the time, and maybe I didn’t handle that really well. People saying I was going to beat Jose Aldo, maybe I let that carry myself too much and didn’t dedicate to the big task I had ahead of me, which was beating Jose Aldo.
"I should have gotten more focused. I was fighting in Brazil and everybody talking about me being the betting favorite. I was too calm in there, and we can’t underestimate someone like Jose Aldo, a knockout artist, the best featherweight of all times. I’ve learned that we have to be the same way, no matter who we’re fighting."
With that experience now etched in his mind, Moicano looks forward, entering this weekend's event with optimism. “It’s going to be a great five-round fight and I’m working hard to do my best,” he said. “I believe it’s gonna be the fight of the year.”
Moicano certainly has a fitting foe for that prediction, with 'The Korean Zombie' building an almost unparalleled reputation of in-cage excitement and drama. Their five round bout takes top billing at UFC Fight Night Greenville, as John Lineker's rematch with Rob Font fills the co-headline spot.
For MMA Fighting's full piece with Moicano, click here.
