Brendan Schaub, a former UFC fighter, blasted Renato Moicano. His sharp words target Moicano’s choice to skip a big lawsuit payout.
On The Schaub Show podcast, Schaub called Moicano’s decision to reject about $200,000 from a UFC antitrust lawsuit settlement unwise. He argued it shows a lack of understanding of the fight business and won’t gain UFC favor.
Schaub’s Criticism and Moicano’s Decision
Schaub spoke plainly, saying:
“Here’s the thing, Moicano, that money is getting allocated no matter what, buddy. No matter what. You being a company man and not taking it, doesn’t give you an inch of good grace with the UFC. This does not matter. There’s guys that are more famous than you that are fighting right now that are taking their settlement.”
He stressed the UFC’s stance, adding:
“The UFC does not give a fck. The UFC made out in spades. They got off so easily. The original lawsuit was for like $1.7 billion, they’re paying out like $400 million and they’ve already sent that money out. That money is getting distributed whether you take it or not. So if you don’t take it, it’s going to other people. It’s so fcking dumb to not take the money. It’s so f*cking dumb.”
Schaub called Moicano’s thinking flawed, stating:
“He’s just uneducated about the whole situation. Hey, it’s better for the rest of us. I get his money now. The UFC is not going to discipline you for taking the money. Again, it’s better for me if he doesn’t.”
He tied it to fighter pay issues, noting:
“This is how stupid fighters are, they think and they’re underpaid, and that’s a whole other story and people are like, ‘I don’t understand why more fighters don’t ask for better pay.’ This is why. This dude is brainwashed and thinks he’s being a company man by not taking the lawsuit money. He thinks that he’s showing loyalty to the f*cking man by not taking this money that he’s earned. That’s how brainwashed a lot of these fighters are. Every single one of you is underpaid.”
Schaub questioned Moicano’s share of UFC deals, saying:
“Hey, Moicano, let me ask you a quick question. When the UFC signs a billion dollar TV rights deal, I want you to ask your agent or manager how much of a percentage you’re getting of that billion dollar deal. Now if you don’t want to ask him, I’ll do you a f*cking solid right now and tell you how much you’re going to get. Zero. You’re going to receive zero of the dollars, sir.”
He hit Moicano’s personal situation, adding:
“You will never make more money than when you fought Islam for the belt. That will never happen to you again. And your wife’s fcking pregnant, you have a fcking young kid, you’re never going to be champion, and you want to give up $200,000. Just so you know, Moicano, Dana bets with $200,000 every night like it ain’t shit.”
Schaub finished, “So if you think, in his mind, he’s going, ‘Well, Moicano didn’t take the money, let’s hook this guy up,’ you don’t know the fcking world, dude. And you’re in the most fcking cutthroat business in the world, and you’re letting it pass you by. And you think that you’re being a good company man with a company that could give two f*cks about you. It’s mind-blowing.” via MMAFighting
Renato Moicano, 36, is a UFC lightweight with a 19-7-1 record. He joined the UFC in 2014, earning a four-fight win streak against Brad Riddell, Drew Dober, Jalin Turner, and Benoit Saint Denis. He fought for the lightweight title against Islam Makhachev on short notice, losing by submission at UFC 311 in January 2025. His last fight was a decision loss to Beneil Dariush at UFC 317 in June 2025.
Moicano rejected a $200,000 payout from the UFC antitrust lawsuit, led by Cung Le, covering fighters from 2010 to 2017. The $375 million settlement, reduced from a $1.6 billion claim, was accepted by over 97 percent of eligible fighters, averaging $250,000 each. On his Show Me The Money podcast, Moicano said he refused the money to honor his UFC contract and avoid legal conflicts.
Brendan Schaub, 42, is a retired UFC heavyweight with a 10-5-0 professional record and a 3-0-0 record in exhibition bouts on The Ultimate Fighter. He fought from 2008 to 2014, appearing on The Ultimate Fighter 10 in 2009, where he beat Demico Rogers by submission. His UFC debut was a knockout loss to Roy Nelson in 2009. Notable wins include Mirko Cro Cop in 2011 and Gabriel Gonzaga in 2012. He lost his final fight to Travis Browne by TKO in 2014 at UFC 181 and retired in 2015. Now a podcaster, Schaub hosts The Schaub Show and critiques UFC business practices.
Schaub accepted his settlement share from the same lawsuit. He argues Moicano’s refusal won’t earn UFC loyalty and misses a key chance to support his family, especially with a pregnant wife and young child.
Schaub’s harsh words push Moicano to rethink his stance. By skipping the payout, Moicano risks losing money he earned in a tough business. His choice stands out as most fighters took the settlement to ease financial strain.
