Moicano Taps Freire In Under 4 Minutes At BJJ Stars 19

Renato Moicano made quick work of former Bellator champion Patricky Freire in a grappling match at BJJ Stars 19 in Sao Paulo on Sunday, tapping the Brazilian with an arm-triangle choke in less than four minutes.

The UFC lightweight countered a takedown attempt, advanced to mount, and locked in the finish to improve his submission grappling record to 3-1, Sherdog reports. Moicano previously beat UFC fighter Chase Hooper in 2021 and Cristian Guzman in 2024 before dropping a decision to Russia's Yusuf Raisov.

Freire's Grappling Struggles Continue

The loss marked Freire's second submission defeat against a UFC athlete in grappling competition, having previously tapped to Arman Tsarukyan last year. Pitbull is reportedly riding a five-fight losing streak in MMA competition.

Moicano returns to the Octagon at UFC 331 on Sept. 18 in Los Angeles, where he is said to be matched against Brian Ortega. The 21-7-1 fighter stopped Chris Duncan in the second round of his last MMA bout, rebounding from back-to-back losses to Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush.

The grappling victory keeps Moicano sharp ahead of what could be a crucial lightweight bout against the former featherweight title challenger.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Renato Moicano taps former Bellator champ at BJJ Stars 19