With UFC on FOX 24 behind us, there were many noteworthy performances which saw fighters’ stock rise. Jay Primetown takes a look at the key performers from Kansas City and what’s next for them.
Renato Moicano
Overview: In easily the biggest fight of his career, Moicano was tasked with fighting fifth-ranked Jeremy Stephens at UFC on FOX 24. Despite being undefeated, the 27-year-old Moicano was rather unheralded heading into his bout with Stephens. His performance against the much more well-known Stephens, was smart and calculated. Moicano’s movement was on point in this fight forcing Stephens to chase him around the cage. Moicano did an excellent job of landing kicks from range and utilizing an accurate jab to frustrate his opponent throughout the fight. Moicano did well to avoid Stephens’ big power shots and secure a decision win to really put him on the map in a stacked featherweight division.
Outlook: Coming into his fight with Stephens, Moicano was undefeated, yet unranked. His ability to outsmart and out strike a dangerous striker will see Moicano catapult into the UFC Featherweight rankings and potentially into the top ten of the division. It’s difficult to see Moicano turned around quick enough to appear on the UFC 212 Pay-Per-View card in Brazil in June, so more likely expect to see him against another top fifteen featherweight sometime this summer.
Rose Namajunas
Overview: Booked in her third straight co-main event, the Top 5 strawweight Namajunas was looking for a dominant victory to cement her status as a title contender for Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Coming off a close, but clear decision loss to former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz, it was imperative for Namajunas to do well. Namajunas came out fast in this fight getting the better of the grappling exchanges in round one. However, it was the striking that proved to be the difference in round two, as Namajunas landed a head kick flush to Waterson which floored the “Karate Hottie.” From there, Namajunas went to work on the ground before latching in a choke to end the fight. It was a complete performance.
Outlook: Namajunas will certainly be looking ahead to the strawweight title on May 13 between the aforementioned Jedrzejczyk and Jessica Andrade. Considering that fighters currently ranked one and two in the division have already lost to the champion, and the third-ranked fighter (Andrade) faces her in May, Namajunas is the clear next fighter in line should Jedrzejczyk win. Even if Andrade pulls off the upset, I could see Namajunas getting the next opportunity, as she’s a recognizable fighter and one the UFC could market as champion.
Robert Whittaker
Overview: Like Moicano, Whittaker was tasked with a clear step up in competition as he was set to square off with Brazilian Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC on FOX 24. Easily the best young fighter in the division, Whittaker is a middleweight that many thought would have his time at the top of the division, but there were differing opinions on when that would occur. There was a significant opinion that this bout was too early for Whittaker, and that he wasn’t ready for an established middleweight like Jacare. Whittaker proved the naysayers wrong in this bout. Jacare was able to secure one takedown in this bout, but he was unable to keep Whittaker grounded. With the confidence and momentum on his side, Whittaker began to take control of the standup exchanges. In the second round, Whittaker really took over dropping Jacare with a vicious head kick and then following up with strikes to give the Brazilian his first knockout loss in nine years.
Outlook: Whittaker proved in this fight that he belongs in the conversation with the elites in this division. At just 26 years of age, he’s just entering his prime and is poised to be a contender in this weight class for years to come. A stoppage victory over Jacare is a tremendous achievement and puts the entire division on notice. There’s certainly some competition for the championship with Gegard Mousasi and Yoel Romero, who are also on tremendous winning streaks, so it’s likely he will need to beat one of those two fighters first to earn a shot at the championship sometime in 2018.
