Renato Moicano isn’t just fighting opponents now, he’s taking on the internet, too! After being forced to swap Beneil Dariush for Islam Makhachev on just 36 hours’ notice at UFC 311, the Brazilian scrapper didn’t get the fairytale ending he hoped for. Instead, he got choked out in the first round and was unable to give his trademark post-fight interviews.

But Moicano’s comeback starts now. UFC 317 is locked in and Dariush is back in his sights. Yet, as the countdown to International Fight Week heats up, one fan has already taken the first jab. And the Brazilian isn’t too happy with it as he responded with a shocking demand!

Renato Moicano goes off on a fan after getting trolled with ‘old man’ poster

While Renato Moicano’s sense of humor can be as sharp as his jab, some jokes? They land like a flying knee to the ego. That’s exactly what happened when a fan shared a poster for UFC 311 on X, except this wasn’t your average fight promo. The fan had turned Moicano into a grizzled old man, complete with wrinkles, a grey moustache, and undeniable grandpa energy.

It was meant to be funny. Maybe even flattering. After all, both men are battle-tested veterans with highlight reels longer than most UFC careers. But to Moicano, it hit differently. His response? The Brazilian fired off with, “Whoever made this!!! Deserve death penalty!!! #ufc317”

‘Money Moicano’ may be 36 years old now, but he’s clearly not ready to be pushed into the ‘veteran’s fight’ box just yet—not especially after the whirlwind that was UFC 311. The last time these two were scheduled to meet, it was Moicano’s moment. Or so it seemed. He was locked in, cutting weight, ready to face Beneil Dariush. But then, chaos struck.

Arman Tsarukyan dropped out of his title fight with Islam Makhachev due to a back injury. Suddenly, Moicano got the call of a lifetime: step up and fight for gold against the Dagestani juggernaut. While he did put up a fight, it wasn’t meant to be his night as he got caught in a D’arce choke in the very first round.

He later revealed, ”As you could see, when the fight starts, I was doing very well on the feet because I had training to do that. I knew Beneil Dariush was coming off two knockout [losses] and then I say, ‘Okay, I will try to be on my feet’ because it’s going to be very hard to put Dariush down and control him.”

The preparation for Dariush seemingly threw him off when faced with Makhachev. And once he got taken down by the champion, “The crowd started to boo, and I said, ‘Man, I have to get back on the feet because I’m doing very well on the feet’. That was the problem.”

That night derailed Moicano’s 4-fight win streak and knocked him off course. But it didn’t crush his spirit. He’s back now, with the original fight rebooked for UFC 317. And while the Brazilian is on fire and raring to go, Beneil Dariush is trying to keep himself motivated despite the delay in the matchup!

Beneil Dariush confesses that the Moicano matchup preparation is getting “stale”

After 18 long months away, Beneil Dariush finally returns at UFC 317. But he’s not coming in with vengeance on his mind. Instead, he’s pacing himself, admitting that this Moicano matchup has been simmering on the stove a little too long. In a recent conversation with MMA Junkie Radio, he confessed, “You get kind of stale on it. I’ve got to freshen up on all the homework I was doing. … I don’t really look at it as unfinished business.”

Can you blame him? The first fight fell apart at the finish line. Moicano was pulled into a title fight with Islam Makhachev just hours before UFC 311. Dariush was left standing at weigh-ins with no opponent and no shot at momentum. Still, the UFC and Dana White paid him his full purse. But money isn’t legacy. So what’s motivating Dariush now? Opportunity, as he revealed, “If I have a good performance now, I beat a top five guy then I beat a top five guy, I’m in title contention.”

With Islam Makhachev gone and the lightweight title vacant, the board has been flipped. And Dariush wants to make a move, fast. On the same card where Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will battle for the gold, Dariush sees his chance to make noise again. As such, both men stand at a crossroads, and UFC 317 holds the key to their respective futures.

Can Renato Moicano break through and remind the world why he belongs in the title mix? Or will Beneil Dariush show that he’s still a force in the chaos of a reshuffled division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!