UFC on FOX 24 Results: Jeremy Stephens vs Renato Moicano

This is how the main card opener between Jeremy Stephens (25-13) and  Renato Moicano (10-0-1) went down.

The UFC on FOX 24 is coming live from Kansas City, MO and has a card full of fun fights. The main card opener was one that was sure to get the fans on their feet as knockout threat Jeremy Stephens took on 27-year-old featherweight prospect, Renato Moicano.

The night was to get started with Jeremy Stephens, which seems to be his usual slate on big cards as he’s a fighter who always puts on a show. Stephens was definitely the more known of the two names coming in, as he’s been with the organization since UFC 71, and is known for the knockout power he posses.

Stephens has been a perennial contender at featherweight since dropping down from lightweight, but he hasn’t gotten a big signature win to be spoken in the same breath with the likes of Aldo, Holloway and Edgar. After losing to frankie Edgar at UFC 205 and taking a loss verbally at the hands of Conor McGregor, Stephens needed to make a statement to prove his worth to the featherweight division.

Moicano is a guy who was in the complete opposite situation as Stephens. While Jeremy was fighting to maintain his position in the rankings and to prove himself to top level competition, Moicano was looking to make a name for himself off of a seasoned veteran. Although we hadn’t seen Moicano in the Octagon in almost a year, we knew his submission game is superb and he was a very long an accurate striker. With a record of 10-0-1, Moicano came in looking to stay unbeaten.

Here is how the fight unfolded, with live scoring from FanSided:

Round 1:

The two come out and engage immediately. Moicano came out throwing leg kick after leg kick early on. Moicano moves very well and he exited very well after landing each leg kick. Stephens seemed to be stalking more than cutting off angles for the first few minutes, but began to cut off Moicano more successfully as time moved on.

Stephens landed a solid right hand along the cage and seemed to have gained the momentum. Moicano responded with a nice level change and takedown. Stephens worked hard for a kamura from underneath, but Moicano defends well and doesn’t allow Stephens to use the submission attempt to stand back up. The round ends with Stephens working for the arm.

FanSided scores it: Moicano 10-9

Round 2:

Stephens comes out with a nice leg kick and looks for a takedown, but it’s defended well by Moicano. Moicano threw a nice head kick as the two separate, but did not get all of it. Stephens doing a much better job on the feet and doing a much better job of cutting off angles. Stephens puts together a nice combination against the fence and the fight gets back to the middle of the cage.

The pressure fighting of Stephens began to bother Moicano and Stephens was much more successful. The two have a few nice exchanges and Moicano begins to get back to the movement he utilized so well in the first. The round ends with Stephens trying to walk Moicano down, but not utilizing any faints.

FanSided scores it: Stephens 10-9, 29-29

Round 3:

The round starts with the two coming into clinch range and Moicano scoring a takedown. Moicano passes Stephens guard, but Stephens manages to work his way back up. Moicano’s jab continues to land and is a real problem for Stephens. He can’t telegraph the punch, which opens everything else up for Moicano. Moicano comes back to the leg kicks and they are visibly hurting Jeremy Stephens.

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Every time Jeremy is able to get Moicano’s back to the cage, Moicano is able to exit and land himself. Stephens pushes forward over and over, but it is Moicano who lands over and over. It’s clear Moicano’s movement, jab and leg kicks were all too much for Stephens. Stephens inability to cut angles, inability to throw in faints, and inability to land combinations were all very problematic in this one.

FanSided scores it: Moicano 10-9, 29-28 Moicano

Official Scorecard: Moicano Defeats Stephens (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Via Split Decision