Reverse psychology at its absolute finest. 😠Renato Moicano says Ilia Topuria should fight him next because he's an "easy fight" to rebuild his broken confidence Via: (@mmafighting)
Renato Moicano has put his name forward as Ilia Topuria's next opponent, pitching himself as an "easy fight" who could help the lightweight standout rebuild what Moicano describes as broken confidence.
The Brazilian's pitch is a piece of tongue-in-cheek reverse psychology, aimed at a fighter who sits at the very top of both the lightweight division and the pound-for-pound list. Moicano's suggestion is that Topuria should take a comfortable outing after his recent setback, with Moicano himself volunteering for the role.
Topuria, nicknamed "El Matador," is 17-1-0 and holds the number one spot in the lightweight rankings as well as the top position in the pound-for-pound ranking. The 29-year-old Spaniard fights out of Climent Club in an orthodox stance and stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and he averages 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Moicano, 21-7-1, is ranked 11th at lightweight. At 37, the orthodox Brazilian stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, giving him a three-inch edge over Topuria in height and in reach. He lands 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and averages 1.68 takedowns and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Topuria's top ranking at lightweight means any opponent who calls him out is stepping well above his current position, and Moicano sits ten places below the Spaniard.
- The numbers show a close striking match on paper, with similar output and accuracy from both men, while Topuria holds the edge in submission attempts.
- Moicano's takedown average is within reach of Topuria's, suggesting grappling exchanges could factor if the pair ever met.
- No bout has been made, and the exchange remains a callout rather than a scheduled fight.
