Renato Moicano explains why UFC declined his request to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 313

Renato Moicano revealed that he was contacted to step in against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) needed a new opponent two weeks out from UFC 313 when Dan Hooker withdrew due to a fractured hand. Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) put his hand up, and the UFC reached out to him, but they couldn’t come to an agreement.

Gaethje will now run things back with Rafael Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+).

“Just to clarify, people were saying that I run from the fight,” Moicano said on his “Show Me The Money” podcast. “But to be honest, UFC messaged me and I said, ‘Hey, I am 190 (pounds). We can do a catchweight.’ But they didn’t want a catchweight, so it is what it is. Just that, and I think Gaethje will beat Fiziev – but that’s a very competitive fight and that’s a very good fight to watch again.”

Moicano was recently called out by Nasrat Haqparast, who edged out Esteban Ribovics at UFC Fight Night 253 this past Saturday. The Brazilian is coming off a one-day notice title-fight loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.

“Easy money. Are you kidding me, brother? Of course,” Moicano said. “If they want to make that fight, I would fight next week. Are you crazy? I just thought that was funny because the guy almost lost and then he’s calling people out.

“Motherf*cker got a split decision and is calling names? Easy money. I’m not trying to be disrespectful. He called me out and if the UFC wants to make that fight, I would take it 100 percent.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.