Top lightweight contender Renato “Money” Moicano has taken direct aim at the Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmakers, expressing profound confusion and frustration over the promotion’s decision to book a high-profile showdown between Brian Ortega and Dan Hooker. The matchup, which has raised eyebrows across the mixed martial arts community, is officially slated to take place at UFC Qatar on November 21 at the ABHA Arena in Doha.
For Moicano, the booking stings on multiple levels. Not only has the Brazilian fan favorite repeatedly called out New Zealand’s Dan Hooker for a high-stakes clash inside the Octagon without ever receiving the fight, but he has also endured the bitter disappointment of having two separate booked rematches against Ortega fall through due to unfortunate circumstances. Witnessing the two men he has heavily pursued or previously shared history with now squaring off against one another has prompted Moicano to hold nothing back in his assessment of the pairing.
During a recent interview with Full Send MMA, Moicano delivered a blunt and unfiltered critique of the upcoming Qatar event. Never one to shy away from speaking his mind or creating viral moments with his post-fight microphone work and media appearances, Moicano did not mince words regarding the promotional strategy behind putting Ortega and Hooker together.
"This is gonna be the worst fight in the UFC," Moicano told Full Send MMA, questioning the logic of the matchmakers. "Brian Ortega vs. Dan Hooker, that’s f*cked up. I don’t know how the UFC made that fight. But let’s see, let’s wait and see how they do. And let’s see how I beat Tom Nolan."
Renato Moicano Questions Brian Ortega vs. Dan Hooker After Two Canceled Rematches and Repeated Callouts
The roots of Moicano’s frustration run deep, grounded in a timeline of missed opportunities and stalled momentum in the talent-rich UFC lightweight division. Over the past year, Moicano has aggressively campaigned for a fight against Dan Hooker, viewing the veteran striker as an ideal opponent to further cement his status among the elite contenders in the weight class. Despite Moicano’s persistent public callouts, the UFC matchmakers repeatedly opted to look elsewhere, leaving the Brazilian searching for a willing dance partner in the upper echelon of the division.
At the same time, Moicano’s path crossed once again with Brian “T-City” Ortega, the slick submission artist who handed Moicano a definitive loss earlier in their careers. The two featherweights were originally scheduled to run back their 2017 encounter at UFC 326. Fans and analysts alike anticipated the rematch, eager to see how both men had evolved since their first meeting. However, the fight suffered its first major blow when Ortega was forced to withdraw from the card due to lingering injuries that prevented him from completing his training camp.
Refusing to let the matchup die, the UFC quickly rebooked the high-stakes rematch for UFC 331 in September. The anticipation built once more as both fighters prepared to step back into the cage to settle unfinished business. Yet, combat sports can be notoriously cruel, and the curse of the matchup struck a second time. During the final weeks of preparation, Ortega suffered a severe, deep cut above his eye, rendering him medically unfit to compete and forcing yet another cancellation of their scheduled bout.
While Moicano remains fundamentally open to settling scores with either man down the road, his immediate professional focus has necessarily shifted away from the Ortega-Hooker saga. The dynamic lightweight contender is currently locked in on a much more pressing objective: his upcoming main event showdown against surging contender Tom Nolan. The high-stakes clash is scheduled to headline UFC Vegas 123 this coming Saturday at the UFC Apex, where Moicano aims to make another emphatic statement and continue his climb toward a world title opportunity.
The history between Moicano and Ortega adds an extra layer of intrigue to the entire situation. The pair first collided back in 2017 during a high-stakes featherweight bout that showcased the elite grappling skills of the division. In that encounter, Ortega ultimately secured victory by catching Moicano in a tight guillotine choke during the third round, handing the Brazilian a tough submission loss. While Moicano has successfully transitioned and reinvented himself as one of the most entertaining and dangerous lightweights on the roster, a measure of athletic redemption has always lingered in the back of his mind.
For Brian Ortega, the upcoming event in Doha marks a monumental career transition. The American standout, who has spent the majority of his legendary UFC career competing at 145 pounds and fighting for featherweight championships, will finally make his long-awaited debut in the lightweight division. Moving up to 155 pounds represents a fresh start for "T-City," potentially alleviating the grueling weight cuts that plagued later stages of his featherweight career.
Standing across the Octagon from him in Doha will be Dan Hooker, a battle-tested veteran of the lightweight division known for his incredible durability, violent striking style, and willingness to engage in absolute wars. With a professional record of 24 wins and 15 losses, Hooker has shared the cage with virtually everyone in the division’s elite tier, bringing a wealth of experience and toughness that promises to test Ortega’s durability in his new weight class.
As the MMA world looks ahead to the events unfolding in Doha and Las Vegas, Moicano’s fiery words have only added an extra layer of narrative tension to the division. Whether his bold prediction about UFC Qatar proves accurate or whether Ortega and Hooker deliver an unforgettable classic inside the ABHA Arena, the division continues to move at a relentless pace. For now, Moicano’s primary concern remains singular and direct: taking care of business against Tom Nolan this Saturday night and proving that his path toward the lightweight championship cannot be derailed by missed rematches or unexpected bookings.
