UFC 311 star Renato Moicano wants ‘extra cash’ from Dana White as inflation affecting $50,000 performance bonus

Surprise title contender Renato Moicano delivers brutal critique on $50K bonuses, before UFC 311 title fight vs. Islam Makhachev.

UFC 311 star Renato Moicano wants ‘extra cash’ from Dana White as inflation affecting $50,000 performance bonus

Renato Moicano pushes to raise $50K performance bonus, right before UFC 311 (Source: X/IMAGO)

Renato Moicano was set to compete at UFC 311 PPV, but it wasn’t a headliner spot for the lightweight gold against Islam Makhachev! That is until a drastic shift after the official morning weigh-ins. “Money” Moicano is now on the money and a surprise 11th-hour challenger realizing his dreams. But even if that weren’t how Friday turned out, the challenger is always up for more.

The fighter didn’t know he would sub in for a guaranteed $500,000 purse/$32,000 Compliance payout as title challenger. There could be some more $500,000+ money in bonuses depending on how it goes. But even in his usual assignment, the set-in-stone $50k bonus was looking very bland for the lightweight veteran. Too bad as boss Dana White isn’t keen on thematic digits anymore.

To be honest, …with this inflation – this bonus needs to be kind of updated, you know, …50k is not the same, as like ten years ago. But [it] will still be good to make some extra cash.

Renato Moicano to UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) TV Presenter Caroline Pearce
YouTube video

Islam Makhachev and Moicano are just a cycle away from an impromptu UFC 311 title fight. Arman Tsarukyan couldn’t make it to the scales. Enter Renato Moicano with a similar four-fight win streak at 155 pounds and ideas to snag gold. But it’s not just his acute shot output that got him this opportunity. Moicano is also a sharp tongue promo cutter.

FS Video

The ultra-utilitarian “Money” man is ready to snap at it if he feels. Moicano made $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000+ in bonus) at first. That jumped to $26,500 ($12,000 to show/win bonus; $2,500 Reebok sponsorship) next time. He earns at a much higher bracket now and will continue to do so.

Other than Athlete Outfitting Policy/experience pay, he thought his second-round TKO (doctor stoppage) at UFC Paris would factor in for a bonus. A $50k bonus is not what it used to be, but is still good to get. Now, Moicano has the opportunity to make exponentially so much more.

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UFC 311 video: Islam Makhachev, Renato Moicano have intense last staredown before fight

The final fan weigh-in proceedings streamed at Intuit Dome in Inglewood (7 p.m. ET; 4 p.m. PT). At the tail end of it, champion Islam Makhachev met a surprise challenger and sized him up. Moicano is not where he was supposed to be, but it’s a better path anyway.

Renato Moicano vs. Islam Makhachev about to go down
Renato Moicano vs. Islam Makhachev about to go down (Source: X)

Moicano made the jump from the featherweight division to the lightweight division in 2020. He has been steadily working his way into the top 10 ever since. His last year’s campaign had top highlights like Drew Dober, Jalin Turner, and Benoit Saint-Denis. Now, the UFC 311 title challenger is ready for anything.

I don’t give a fu*k, …I can’t afford to fu*king lose, and that’s true. Doesn’t matter if it’s the champion or not. Tomorrow, I’m winning.

Renato Moicano to Joe Rogan after UFC 311 Fan weigh-ins and faceoffs
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As a champ with three title defenses, Islam Makhachev enters this matchup as a big favorite. Per DraftKings, he is a large favorite at -1100, with Moicano a +700 underdog. But the title challenger is ready for it. Come this Saturday, he’ll be yearning to prove that it was the right choice in choosing the No. 10 fighter to challenge the gold.

Related: Why UFC 311 needs to be a massive hit for Dana White