Brazilian Renato Moicano confirms his grappling dominance ahead of his showdown with Brian Ortega on September 18

Incredible performance from Renato "Money" Moicano at BJJ Stars 19! The Brazilian, a former UFC lightweight title contender, once again showcased his Brazilian jiu-jitsu expertise by crushing Patricky Freire in under four minutes. A submission via arm-in triangle choke sealed an impressive technical victory in São Paulo.
This win brings his grappling record to 3 wins and 1 loss, a record that cements his status as a specialist in the discipline. Moicano, who had previously dominated Chase Hooper in 2021, had suffered a setback against Russia’s Yusuf Raisov. For Freire, this loss adds to a string of grappling defeats, including one against Arman Tsarukyan last year.
But it’s Moicano’s return to the Octagon that’s grabbing the most attention. The Brazilian, who defeated Chris Duncan in June, will face Brian Ortega on September 18 in Los Angeles in a fight that could shake up the UFC lightweight division. A golden opportunity for the Brazilian to reshuffle the deck in an ultra-competitive division.
This victory at BJJ Stars 19 is more than just a grappling success: it confirms that Moicano is back in form and ready to throw down in the most prestigious MMA arena. The question now is whether this technical dominance will translate into the Octagon against a formidable opponent like Brian Ortega.