Pimblett accepts Moicano’s fight invite after UFC Paris

Paddy Pimblett has accepted Renato Moicano’s invitation to fight, with the Englishman issuing a blunt response on social media after his fellow lightweight called him out just minutes after defeating Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris.

“Let’s do this,” Pimblett wrote on Instagram, tagging Moicano and using the hashtag “#easymoney”.

Moicano had called both Pimblett and Dan Hooker “easy money” and “easy fights” during his in-cage interview in Paris.

“Don’t accept the fight or I will elbow your skull,” Moicano said in reference to Pimblett.

“Please, don’t accept the fight, I’m going to hurt you.

“I’m going to elbow your skull.”

UFC bookmakers had Moicano as a heavy underdog heading into the main event in Paris on Sunday (AEST), with the 35-year-old paying +240 to defeat Saint-Denis.

The Brazilian is now on a four-fight win streak in the UFC after doctors stopped his fight against Saint-Denis due to severe swelling in the Frenchman’s eye.

His last loss was in March 2022, when he fell by unanimous decision to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272.

However, Moicano attributes his third loss in the promotion, back in 2019, for his relatively low profile in the UFC.

“I was never easy money,” he said.

“The only time I was easy money was against Korean Zombie a long time ago.

“He knocked me out in the first round, but since then I changed completely my training camp, my division.

“I changed everything, so I don’t wanna be easy money.”

Moicano is eager to shift his reputation and gain some more popularity between now and his next fight, even suggesting he could be a coach on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.

“I’ve been in the UFC for 10 years and three years ago nobody knows me,” Moicano said.

“And I always work hard, but it doesn’t matter if you are the best fighter in the world and nobody knows.

“So, I want more cameras, I want more people talking my name in MMA.

“Because that way I can bring more attention, and I can make my case to fight for the belt eventually.”

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