Renato Moicano after UFC 314: 'I don't hate Paddy Pimblett'

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Maybe Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano will still fight some day, but if it happens, it won’t be for a while.

Heading into UFC 314, No. 10 Moicano was still ahead of No. 12 Pimblett in the official lightweight rankings. But after Pimblett’s impressive third-round TKO demolishing of Michael Chandler this past Saturday, “The Baddy” will have vaulted himself into top-five territory.

“I don’t think I’m fighting Paddy Pimblett anytime soon,” Moicano told MMA Junkie on Monday.

Moicano, who fell short in a last-minute title fight with Islam Makhachev this past January, is just being real about the situation. It’s been a slow build to Pimblett’s UFC career ever since his debut in 2021.

Along the way, Pimblett and Moicano have exchanged plenty of trash talk in interviews and on social media, with Pimblett reigniting their feud following Moicano’s loss to Makhachev.

While there’s always been heat between them, Moicano’s tune has changed at least to some degree in the immediate aftermath of UFC 314.

“The thing is, people think I hate Paddy Pimblett. I don’t hate Paddy Pimblett,” Moicano said. “He has a lot of people who know him, so I wanted to fight him, but right now that fight is not a possibility. UFC is behind Paddy Pimblett. We know that. Why? Because Dana White just said in the (UFC 314) press conference a win over Chandler would put him in title contention. I don’t agree with that at all, but who am I to blame? Who am I to talk about UFC?

“UFC knows what they’re doing and if they’re supporting Paddy, it’s for a reason. Next opponent for Paddy Pimblett will be Charles (Oliveira) or Justin (Gaethje) for sure.”

What’s next for Moicano is unclear. With his wife expecting a baby in “late May,” Moicano said he’ll be ready to fight after the baby is born.

Moicano said he doesn’t care about the ranking of his opponent, either.

“Just give me an easy fight,” Moicano said.