Renato Moicano Plans to Retire From MMA After Three Fights

Renato Moicano said Monday on The Ariel Helwani Show that he plans to retire from MMA after completing the three fights left on his UFC contract. The 37-year-old said he would rather move into influencer boxing than continue competing in MMA.

Moicano's Plans After His UFC Contract

Moicano said he wants to finish his current deal but does not intend to sign on for more MMA fights afterward. He said he is interested in boxing against people without professional fighting experience, describing the idea as a chance to beat up people who do not know how to fight.

He also pointed to fighter pay as a reason he expects his UFC career to end when the contract is complete, saying the promotion would not pay him enough to keep going.

Moicano said he is weighing how much he has left physically and how much he still loves the sport. He wants to recognize when his time in MMA is over rather than keep competing past that point.

Moicano Cites Tony Ferguson's Losing Streak

Moicano said he does not want to follow the path he associates with Tony Ferguson, who continued fighting while in his 40s and endured a six-fight losing streak. Moicano referred to Ferguson's extended run of losses as something he wants to avoid, rather than remain in MMA while trying to return to championship contention.

Moicano's latest fight was a third-round knockout loss to Tom Nolan at UFC Vegas 123. The source report says Moicano had won the first round and was working from Nolan's back in the second when referee Dan Miragliotta stood the fighters up. Moicano has since moved on from the incident and said his focus is on improving in future fights.

The Brazilian previously challenged for the UFC lightweight title. He now says his limit is the three bouts remaining on his contract, after which he intends to leave MMA and pursue influencer boxing. No next opponent or date for a Moicano fight is confirmed in the source.