Renato Moicano backs Arman Tsarukyan as ‘the next champion’ over Justin Gaethje
Moicano, who headlines UFC Vegas 123 against Tom Nolan on Saturday, told MMA Fighting he would still rather watch Alexander Volkanovski fight Gaethje.
Renato Moicano believes Arman Tsarukyan would beat Justin Gaethje and take the UFC lightweight title.
“I think he will have a very hard night,” Moicano told MMA Fighting. “Arman is right now... after what he did to Ruffy, that was crazy. That was crazy, and I think Ruffy is a better striker than Gaethje.” Tsarukyan finished Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.
Moicano made clear he rates the champion. “I’m not going to be here talking shit about Justin Gaethje. I am a huge fan. What he did was unbelievable against Topuria,” he said. “But Arman is very well-rounded. Good striker, good grappler, good wrestler, very high fighting I.Q. So I think Arman is the next champion.”
He would still pick a different fight for Gaethje. “I would rather watch Volk than Arman, to be completely honest,” he said. Alexander Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 and then called for a fight with Gaethje.
No fight is booked for Gaethje, who won the undisputed title against Ilia Topuria at UFC White House in June. Tsarukyan has said Gaethje is trying to avoid fighting him, and that the UFC told him he will hear at the end of November.
Moicano faces Tom Nolan in the main event of UFC Vegas 123 at the Meta APEX on Saturday.
Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing
More MMA from Combat Sports UK
- Stipe Miocic would come out of retirement for 'a lot more money': 'I'd probably fight anyone'
- Paul Heyman says Brock Lesnar would still be UFC champion at 49 without diverticulitis
- Jacobe Smith says he is 'bound to smack' Kevin Holland if he sees him outside the cage
- Shavkat Rakhmonov won't return in January, says manager, denying Della Maddalena fight talk
The UK fight briefing
The stories, results and upcoming fights worth knowing. Every Friday.