Renato Carneiro (13-2-1) is a featherweight combatant signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. For his next outing, the Brazilian will headline UFC Fight Night 154 opposite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. That bout takes place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on June 22.
In the build-up to what is anticipated to be an enthralling clash, here are five things that you might not know about the man commonly referred to as “Moicano.”
He is tall for his division
Carneiro is 5’11’’, which makes him long for the featherweight division where fighters stand approximately four inches smaller on average. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has, as a result, employed his formidable 72-inch reach to good effect on the feet. And when on his back, the flexible competitor uses his long legs to constantly threaten with submission attempts.He has never won with strikes
“Moicano” is a long-time practitioner of muay Thai and holds the rank of Black Prajioud in the striking-based art. The Brazilian’s stand-up is predicated on elusiveness and the ability to blend an effective jab with powerful low kicks, which he is equally adept at using moving backwards.However, despite his hand being raised on 13 occasions, Carneiro has never triumphed via KO/TKO. His victories comprise of seven (54 percent) decisions, with a further six (46 percent) coming via submission.
His nickname translates as Mohawk
The talented athlete is generally known by his nickname “Moicano” rather than his surname Carneiro. It translates as “Mohawk” in English. It was during his childhood that the mohawk-sporting youngster was first given the moniker. Today, the 30-year-old opts for a more conventional look, but the nickname has since stuck.He has been a champion before
“Moicano” began his mixed martial arts journey in his home country of Brazil in 2010 with the nation’s foremost promotion, Jungle Fight. The young competitor went on to build a reputation off an active schedule which saw him compete across his vast country. Having gone 7-0-1 with the organization, the surging prospect soon challenged Ismael Bonfim for the interim featherweight strap in 2014. “Moicano” emerged victorious through a first-round rear-naked choke. He would never defend his strap as later that year, the uber talent signed with the UFC.He calls South Florida home
During his fledgling career, “Moicano” trained in his home city of Brasilia, his country’s federal capital. But following the first setback of his MMA career, which was a submission defeat to Brian Ortega in 2017, he made the decision to leave Brasilia and travel north to South Florida. There, he joined up with the esteemed American Top Team in Coconut Creek. The move would reap results as he recorded wins in two successive UFC fights before a TKO loss to former featherweight king Jose Aldo earlier this year.“Moicano” has been gushing in his praise of ATT. He said in one interview, “And, there, I learned about resting more, training less – not training harder, training smarter.” The twice-beaten pugilist has confessed to missing his Brasilia-based parents and grandmother. However, overall, he feels the relocation has been beneficial for both him and his Brazilian wife.