UFC CEO Dana White has addressed the controversy surrounding Brazilian fighter Renato Moicano, who recently won against Frenchman Benoit Saint Denis but did not advance in the updated lightweight rankings, remaining in eleventh place.
White stated in an interview with Kevin Iole:
Let's look at the lightweight division, look at number nine. We got Max Holloway. Max Holloway is number nine [as of September 14]. Now go from nine up and look at number three, someone he just knocked out at UFC 300, Justin Gaethje, he basically beat him twice. So he's three, Holloway is number nine, how the f**k does that make sense in any universe? So the rankings are definitely a problem, Moicano I agree with you a 100% but don’t worry my friend, AI will be here soon, and this will all be fixed.
Notably, the UFC rankings are compiled using input from members of the media, some of whom do not cover mixed martial arts at all.
As a reminder, on September 28 in Paris, during UFC Fight Night 243, Moicano won against Saint Denis via technical knockout in the second round.
Moicano's previous fight took place in April 2024 at UFC 300, where he also won by technical knockout against Jalin Turner in the second round. He now holds a record of 20 wins, five losses, and one draw.
Prior to facing Moicano, Saint Denis entered the octagon in March 2024 at UFC 299, where he suffered a knockout loss to Dustin Poirier in the second round. His record stands at 13 wins and three losses, with one fight deemed a no contest.