Renato Moicano thinks it will be tough for fellow UFC lightweight Michael Chandler to get a win over a top 15 opponent.
Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) wants to make it clear that he has no ill will toward Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC), but as a fighter who typically breaks down fights for his “Show Me the Money” podcast, he simply doesn’t see “Iron” as an upper-echelon fighter. “Money” Moicano acknowledges some positive aspects to Chandler’s game, but at this point in his career, it will be tough to compete against the best in the lightweight division.
“No, to be honest,” Moicano told MMA Junkie if Chandler could beat a top 15 opponent now. “It’s very tough, you know? So people think I dislike Chandler, I don’t dislike Chandler. I respect him. I just don’t think he’s that good, you know?
“He’s powerful, he can knock anybody out in the lightweight division, but right now for him, it’s going to be very hard to get a dub. He’s 2-4 in UFC, three straight losses, and his best win was over Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson. I don’t know. I don’t see him getting back.”
Chandler suffered his third consecutive loss at UFC 314. His opponent, Paddy Pimblett, dominated the fight, leaving the former Bellator champion on the canvas in a bloody mess after a third-round TKO stoppage. After recording a Knockout of the Year contender against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274, Chandler hasn’t won a fight. He has since lost by submission to Dustin Poirier, dropped a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira, and now most recently, a TKO loss to Pimblett.
To Chandler’s credit, he does bring excitement to the table, which is why he has won bonuses in five of his seven UFC bouts. However, to stay relevant among the best names at 155, wins must be recorded. Moicano believed Chandler only had one path to victory in the fight against Pimblett, and it did not come together for him. Combine his recent performances along with being 38, and Moicano doesn’t see much upside for Chandler’s career at this point.
“I said I think Paddy Pimblett was going to win because Michael Chandler’s only chance is the right hand,” Moicano said. “If he did not connect it, it’s going to be very hard for him. … Because if you remember, Charles Oliveira did out-wrestle Chandler, and Charles is not a wrestler. He took down Chandler like every single round. I was surprised Chandler tried to wrestle in the first round, was trying takedowns, was trying to control Paddy Pimblett, but he’s getting a little bit older, so it’s going to be hard for him to keep the same pace, you know?”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Renato Moicano: ‘It’s very tough’ for Michael Chandler to beat top 15
Renato Moicano thinks it will be tough for fellow UFC lightweight Michael Chandler to get a win over a top 15 opponent.
Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) wants to make it clear that he has no ill will toward Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC), but as a fighter who typically breaks down fights for his “Show Me the Money” podcast, he simply doesn’t see “Iron” as an upper-echelon fighter. “Money” Moicano acknowledges some positive aspects to Chandler’s game, but at this point in his career, it will be tough to compete against the best in the lightweight division.
“No, to be honest,” Moicano told MMA Junkie if Chandler could beat a top 15 opponent now. “It’s very tough, you know? So people think I dislike Chandler, I don’t dislike Chandler. I respect him. I just don’t think he’s that good, you know?
“He’s powerful, he can knock anybody out in the lightweight division, but right now for him, it’s going to be very hard to get a dub. He’s 2-4 in UFC, three straight losses, and his best win was over Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson. I don’t know. I don’t see him getting back.”
Chandler suffered his third consecutive loss at UFC 314. His opponent, Paddy Pimblett, dominated the fight, leaving the former Bellator champion on the canvas in a bloody mess after a third-round TKO stoppage. After recording a Knockout of the Year contender against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274, Chandler hasn’t won a fight. He has since lost by submission to Dustin Poirier, dropped a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira, and now most recently, a TKO loss to Pimblett.
To Chandler’s credit, he does bring excitement to the table, which is why he has won bonuses in five of his seven UFC bouts. However, to stay relevant among the best names at 155, wins must be recorded. Moicano believed Chandler only had one path to victory in the fight against Pimblett, and it did not come together for him. Combine his recent performances along with being 38, and Moicano doesn’t see much upside for Chandler’s career at this point.
“I said I think Paddy Pimblett was going to win because Michael Chandler’s only chance is the right hand,” Moicano said. “If he did not connect it, it’s going to be very hard for him. … Because if you remember, Charles Oliveira did out-wrestle Chandler, and Charles is not a wrestler. He took down Chandler like every single round. I was surprised Chandler tried to wrestle in the first round, was trying takedowns, was trying to control Paddy Pimblett, but he’s getting a little bit older, so it’s going to be hard for him to keep the same pace, you know?”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Renato Moicano: ‘It’s very tough’ for Michael Chandler to beat top 15
