UFC Vegas 85 delivered a battle between top 15 lightweights as Brazilian submission specialist Renato Moicano returned to the Octagon on Saturday night for a co-main event clash with rising knockout artist Drew Dober.
A winner in three of his last four, including a first-round finish of Brad Riddell in his last outing, Moicano entered the contest determined to continue his climb up the divisional ladder against one of the promotion’s most prolific finishers in Dober.
Round 1
Things started fast and furious with both fighters letting their hands go right out of the gate. Within the opening minute, Dober had unleashed his signature left-hand multiple times. Catching Moicano, ‘Money’ was prompted to switch levels and secure a takedown. Moving directly into half-guard, Moicano looked to smother Dober while peppering him with strikes.
Dober kicked Moicano off, but Moicano was able to jump right back on top, keeping Dober’s back firmly on the canvas. Moicano attempted to mount, but Dober’s defense kept him in half-guard through the remainder of the ground.
Round 2
Dober came out in the second looking to get his striking going, but Moicano once again used it as an opportunity to drag Dober back down to the mat. This time, Dober was able to kick off Moicano and pop back up, but Moicano quickly drove him back to the cage and drove him back down to the floor with plenty of time left in the round. Dober’s active guard kept Moicano from advancing his position creating a bit of a stalemate on the mat.
Determined to get up, Dober briefly rolled over and gave up his back, but managed to again switch positions and fight his way back up again. During a scramble, Dober was able to get the advantage and give Moicano a taste of his own medicine, dragging the Brazilian down. Along the way, Moicano began bleeding profusely from a cut over his right eye.
The round ends with Dober in the dominant position.
Round 3
Both fighters largely abandoned the ground game in the third, opting to let their hands go. Dober appeared to be the fresher fighter and blasted Moicano with a nasty left that had ‘Money’ on wobbly legs. Moicano went back to the ground game, dragging Dober down with three minutes left in the final round.
Moicano dropped some solid ground and pound strikes as Dober tried to muster the energy to explode back to his feet. With less than a minute to go, Dober was content to just cling to half-guard. The round expired with Moicano once again on top controlling the action.
Official Result: Renato Moicano def. Drew Dober via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Renato Moicano vs. Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 85:
Dober hurts Moicano but Moicano shoots fails then reshoots immediately after and gets the takedown… pretty nice to see the immediate reshot after the first one failed #UFCVegas85 pic.twitter.com/eY8NZKuTLb
— Underrated MMA Performances (@MMAUnderrated) February 4, 2024
Renato Moicano s'impose par décision unanime contre Drew Dober.#UFCVegas85 pic.twitter.com/1dNZ5kjDYA
— MMA PROPAGANDE 👊🇫🇷 (@MMAPropagande) February 4, 2024
