Jose Aldo and Renato Moicano clashed tonight (Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019) at UFC Fight Night 144: “Assuncao vs. Moraes 2,” inside Northeast Olympic Training Center in Fortaleza, Brazil. If you don’t have ESPN+, you can sign up here for a seven-day free trial. 2nd-ranked Aldo was attempting to hold the gates against young blade Moicano, who would probably earn a title shot with a winning performance tonight. Aldo turned down the main event to avoid having to go five rounds, as Max Holloway had twice been able to expose his limited gas tank in back-to-back title fights. Would Moicano be able to replicate that success?
Aldo got a big pop from the crowd. They touched gloves. Aldo blocked a flicking front kick. Moicano was taking his time, wary of Aldo’s explosive bursts. He threw a couple kicks. Aldo leapt forward with a hook that missed, Moicano landed a hook, then Aldo landed a double jab. Aldo landed a leg kick after an exchange, then another. Moicano threw his own leg kick. Moicano kicked low, then high. Aldo whiffed on a leg kick and almost slipped. Moicano threw out a couple long kicks. Aldo threw a couple hard body shots. Moicano checked a leg kick. Aldo slipped and blocked a combination. They exchanged punches. Moicano landed his jab. Aldo fired a one-two. Aldo was pressuring, but couldn’t find his decisive moment to close out the round.
They traded jabs to start the second round. Aldo landed a big hook and rocked Moicano! He swarmed, landing body shots and hooks in a furious assault! He didn’t let up, and as he teed off, the referee had seen enough and stepped in! Another massive win for Jose Aldo, who indeed held the gates in impressive fashion. Moicano was taking damage, that was an incredible finishing sequence. Aldo leapt into the crowd afterwards in ecstasy.
Aldo said afterwards that he wanted to vary his shots, hitting him high and low; because he was tall, he wanted to ‘explore his body a little more’. He thanked the people from the state the event was held in, saying no one believed in him, but he knew he could count on their support. He said he wants to fight in Brazil again in May. After a win like that, he should certainly get the opportunity.
Official result: Jose Aldo def. Renato Moicano via TKO at :44 of Round 2
Fight Night 144 results, including play-by-play, click here
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