Renato Moicano’s preparation for his return this fall has included a pitstop on the mats.
The Octagon will be back in Los Angeles on September 18, when the UFC 331 numbered event takes place at the Crypto.com Arena.
Arman Tsarukyan is rumored to be fighting Charles Oliveira in a rematch at that event. That is not the only reported matchup so far, as Moicano is expected to face Brian Ortega in another lightweight bout on the card.
Before his camp gets into full swing, the Brazilian former title challenger completed a grappling side quest.
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Renato Moicano taps out Patricky Pitbull ahead of UFC 331 fight against submission specialist Brian Ortega
Moicano lost to Islam Makhachev in January 2025 after being elevated to the UFC 311 main event on short notice following Tsarukyan’s withdrawal.
A loss to Beneil Dariush following that title fight defeat pushed the Brazilian out of the championship picture, but he was able to bounce back last time out by submitting Chris Duncan in round two.
Moicano is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, as is his upcoming opponent at UFC 331. Ortega is known as ‘T-City’ due to his proficiency with triangle chokes.
Ahead of that battle, the one-time lightweight title challenger recently tested himself on the mats against former Bellator champion Patricky Pitbull.
The pair competed in a grappling match at BJJ Stars 19 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Moicano needed less than four minutes to make Pitbull tap out to an arm-triangle choke, having countered a takedown and worked his way to mount to secure the submission move in quick time.
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While Moicano gears up to welcome Ortega to lightweight, Pitbull is currently without his MMA return on the calendar.
The brother of MMA legend Patricio Pitbull is on a five-fight losing skid inside the cage. Since leaving the PFL, the Brazilian veteran has lost back-to-back fights in RIZIN.
The 39-year-old’s mixed martial arts career peaked in 2021, when he knocked out Peter Queally to win the Bellator featherweight title.
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