Renato Moicano: Dan Hooker's top-five UFC lightweight ranking is like 'a turtle in a tree'

Renato Moicano has no thought how Dan Hooker wound up within the UFC’s prime 5 light-weight rankings.

Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) earned that spot by edging out Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August. Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC), who battered Benoit Saint Denis en path to a health care provider’s stoppage TKO in Spherical 2 of Saturday’s UFC Combat Night time 243 headliner, sees Hooker as a simple path to the highest 5.

“I don’t understand how he’s within the prime 5 – that’s unbelievable,” Moicano stated throughout the ESPN post-fight present. “It’s wish to see a turtle in a tree. Have you ever seen a turtle in a tree? Any person put him there. That’s the entire thing, you understand? He didn’t climb the tree, however he’s on the tree. So in the event that they need to give me a simple move for the title shot, Dan Hooker is simple cash.

“Think about if I take him down, what I’m going to do to him. He has no floor recreation. Paddy Pimblett is one other straightforward cash, however I respect him a bit of bit extra. You understand why? As a result of he has quite a lot of followers. When you have followers, you have got my respect. Individuals need to see Paddy Pimblett, and I respect him.”

When requested what his strongest attribute is, Moicano stated it’s his will to win.

“I can’t afford to lose,” Moicano stated. “I’m telling everyone I’ve a home to pay. I simply purchased a brand new home. Dumb resolution, however we don’t do selections by head, we do by coronary heart. I need to see my child develop in an awesome yard with a pool, after which I did that mistake. So till the home is paid, till all my debt is paid, I can’t afford to lose. Doesn’t matter if even Khabib (Nurmagomedov) comes again – I’ll beat Khabib.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Combat Night time 243.