Title Shot Shakeup: Moicano To Face Oliveira For UFC Crown
In a surprising turn of events, the UFC lightweight title fight has been shaken up with Rafael dos Anjos withdrawing due to injury and Renato Moicano stepping in to face Charles Oliveira.
Moicano’s Opportunity
Moicano, ranked #13 in the lightweight division, has earned this opportunity with an impressive five-fight win streak. He is known for his aggressive grappling style and submission prowess, having finished 11 of his 15 wins by tapout.
This is a significant opportunity for Moicano to make a statement and potentially earn a title shot himself. A victory over Oliveira would elevate his status and put him in line for a fight against the winner of the upcoming title bout between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor.
Oliveira’s Path to a Title
Oliveira, ranked #3 in the lightweight division, has been on a tear since moving up from the featherweight division. He has won nine consecutive fights, including impressive victories over Kevin Lee, Tony Ferguson, and Michael Chandler.
Despite his impressive resume, Oliveira has yet to earn a title shot. He is eager to prove himself as the top contender and believes a victory over Moicano will solidify his claim to the belt.
A Clash of Styles
Moicano and Oliveira represent two contrasting styles in the lightweight division. Moicano is a relentless grappler who prefers to take his opponents down and submit them. Oliveira, on the other hand, is a dangerous striker with a slick jiu-jitsu game.
This matchup promises to be a thrilling clash of styles. Moicano will look to use his grappling to neutralize Oliveira’s striking, while Oliveira will try to keep the fight standing and pick Moicano apart with his boxing and kicks.
Expert Analysis
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto: “This is a great opportunity for Moicano. He’s a dark horse in this fight, but he’s a dangerous grappler. If he can take Oliveira down and control him, he has a good chance of winning.”
MMA Junkie’s John Morgan: “Oliveira is the favorite in this fight, but Moicano has the skills and experience to pull off the upset. This is a fascinating matchup and I’m excited to see how it plays out.”
Submission Radio’s Kacper Rosolowski: “Moicano is a tough matchup for Oliveira. He’s a great grappler and he’s very dangerous on the ground. Oliveira needs to keep the fight standing if he wants to win.”
Conclusion
The UFC lightweight title picture has been thrown into disarray with the injury to Rafael dos Anjos. Renato Moicano has stepped in to face Charles Oliveira in a fight that promises to be both exciting and unpredictable.
Moicano is a dangerous grappler who could pose a serious threat to Oliveira’s title hopes. Oliveira, however, is a more experienced and well-rounded fighter who will be looking to make a statement. This is a fight that could have major implications for the lightweight division.
Whether Moicano can pull off the upset and earn a title shot himself, or whether Oliveira will continue his impressive run and finally claim the belt, remains to be seen. The fight is sure to be an entertaining and memorable one.
Additional Notes
- The fight will take place at UFC 272 on March 5, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- The winner of this fight will likely face the winner of the Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor title fight later in 2022.
- Moicano is a -250 favorite over Oliveira in the betting odds.
