Key Stats: 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes, 80% takedown defense, 64% significant strike defense
What It Means: Since coming to lightweight, Moicano has looked the part physically, and he seems to still be able to take advantage of his technical abilities, particularly on the ground. Although Moicano is comfortable striking and shows some good countering ability, his bread-and-butter is his ground game. He’s a patient grappler, and while he isn’t the strongest wrestler, if he gets the fight to the ground, he can snatch a submission from a variety of positions. His guillotine is nasty, but he is particularly adept at finding ways to his opponent’s back and sinking in a rear naked choke.
Recap Moicano’s Impressive Performance At UFC 271
What to Look For in the Fight: Since moving to lightweight, Moicano has looked stronger each time out, but stepping in on five days’ notice to fight in a five-round co-main event is a tall task. For Dos Anjos, it’ll be his first fight since grinding out a decision win over Paul Felder (who also stepped in on short notice) in his return to 155 in 2020. Dos Anjos showed some suffocating grappling in that fight, but it’ll be interesting to see his approach against someone like Moicano, who poses a submission threat in every position. RDA likely has the cardio advantage, seeing as he was preparing for a five-rounder with Rafael Fiziev for months, but preparing for a kickboxing wizard versus Moicano also poses its own problems. On the feet, watch for Dos Anjos’ kicks from distance and how Moicano goes about countering. Moicano also has some good low leg kicks that he can use to close some distance, as well.
