In the UFC, there’s been plenty of buzz about Ilia Topuria being the next Conor McGregor, thanks to his charisma and the strong support of his country. However, Renato Moicano, known for his candid opinions, has voiced a different perspective, claiming that the current Featherweight champion is actually better than McGregor. Moicano also pointed out that, unlike Topuria, fans have never witnessed McGregor at his peak.
In a recent episode of the “Show Me The Money” podcast, Renato Moicano praised Ilia Topuria for his impressive knockout of Max Holloway, fueling the debate about whether Topuria could be the next Conor McGregor. Moicano argued that Topuria is not just comparable to McGregor but actually better, highlighting his well-rounded skill set that includes striking and grappling.
‘Money’ also pointed out that fans have never seen McGregor in his prime, suggesting that the fame and pressure eventually got to McGregor, impacting his performance.
He stated, “I think he is better than McGregor… Because you know, McGregor is like, we didn’t see the best McGregor… I think Topuria is better even if McGregor would take the right path you know – striking, wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu.”
Moicano’s assertions definitely bring a fresh perspective to the discussion surrounding Topuria’s ascent, not only in the featherweight division but throughout the entire UFC.
Renato Moicano Says Ilia Topuria Cannot Touch Conor McGregor’s Fame
While Moicano acknowledges that Topuria’s skills may surpass McGregor’s, he expresses reservations about the Spanish-Georgian fighter’s ability to achieve the same level of fame. The 35-year-old Brazilian points out that McGregor entered the scene at a pivotal moment when the sport was gaining massive popularity, allowing him to build a vast fan base.
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Consequently, Moicano believes that replicating that kind of meteoric rise is now nearly impossible due to the saturation of the sport and the established stars. He stated, “In reality Topuria is not gonna be on the same level as McGregor. I think because that was a window of opportunity and the sport was growing.”
Absolutely, it will be interesting to see if Topuria can match or even surpass McGregor’s level of fame. To achieve that, he’ll need to consistently deliver standout performances in the octagon while also bringing something fresh and unique to the table.
