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Renato Moicano’s second-ever UFC main event appearance won’t be coming later this month. The 14-fight UFC vet has suffered an injury that has forced him out of his April 29 headliner against Arman Tsarukyan, as first reported by MMA Junkie. The bout was scheduled to take place at lightweight inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Fate of Tsarukyan main event unknown
As of the moment, it’s unknown as to whether Tsarukyan will remain on the card with a new matchup or whether the fight will be scrapped from the event entirely. With UFC Vegas 72 just over two weeks away, it seems likely the UFC could have a very hard time finding a high profile opponent that could take on a five-round assignment.
Tsarukyan’s main event billing—which is now likely in jeopardy—offered the ranked lightweight a chance to score his first victory as a headlining talent.
The 26-year-old met Mateusz Gamrot in a five-round fight last year, but walked away with a controversial unanimous decision defeat after a close and technical battle.
Tsarukyan bounced back later that year, snapping the winning streak of Damir Ismagulov in a scorecard victory. The appearance was his sixth win through eight Octagon bouts and helped bring him into his current 8-spot on the rankings at 155 pounds.
Renato Moicano was set for his first LW main event
Renato Moicano had been all set to make his first appearance of the year later this month. He ended 2022 on a high note, securing a first-round rear naked choke submission victory against Brad Riddell at UFC 281 in November.
The Constrictor Team talent fought in a five-round bout earlier that year as well, stepping in on short notice to lose a lopsided unanimous decision to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272 in a catchweight bout of 160 lbs. The Brazilian was replacing Rafael Fiziev for that fight, who tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced off the card.
The sole UFC main event appearance of Moicano’s career dates back to 2019 when he suffered a 58-second loss to The Korean Zombie. That bout was his last time appearing at featherweight, having made five lightweight appearances since.
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