As the year wraps up, analysts, content creators, and fans are busy compiling lists ranking everything from the best to the worst in MMA. Continuing this trend, Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen teamed up with Laura Sanko this week to discuss the most improved UFC fighter of the year. Known for her admiration of Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sanko surprised everyone by naming Renato Moicano as her pick.
During a recent Good Guy Bad Guy episode, Sanko considered several standout names, including Joaquin Buckley, but ultimately excluded him. She explained that improvement reflects significant growth over the year, while Buckley performed at a high level consistently from start to finish. Later, she reveals why she named Moicano her pick.
“So, for me, it’s Renato Moicano. It’s not necessarily start the year rough but he had a long layoff and then he came back and he had a good fight with Drew Dobber (which) was absolutely insane…It’s a beautiful journey, so not only did he have winning the stoppage of Benoit Saint-Denis, a notoriously tough guy. I love the fact that he elevated himself,” she said.
Sanko added that Moicano offers the complete package. From dropping F-bombs in interviews to sharing wild anecdotes about his dad getting women pregnant at 65 and even diving into economic talk, Moicano delivers on every front. Sanko emphasized that his growth isn’t just about skills inside the cage but also his ability to entertain outside of it, making him her choice for the most improved fighter.
After Laura Sanko’s Take, Daniel Cormier Reveals His 2024 UFC Moment
The former featherweight champ, DC, leveled up at lightweight, delivering an epic buzzer-beater KO against Justin Gaethje with a right hand at 4:59 of Round 5. The jaw-dropping finish had DC crowning it the Moment of the Year. On The Bohnfire, Cormier called it an all-time iconic moment, proving once again why MMA never runs out of blockbuster drama.
“I don’t usually do this [rest his head in his hands], but I did when I saw it… Nothing’s gonna top that for me,” Cormier said in an interview. This year was full of jaw-dropping moments that amazed UFC fans, from incredible finishes to unforgettable fights. With 2025 on the way, fans are excited for another year of epic moments and unforgettable matchups.
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