Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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Beneil Dariush Humbles Renato Moicano After A Close Call At UFC 317

Beneil Dariush humbles the boldly confident Renato' Money' Moicano after dominating him on the gound at UFC 317!

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

Beneil Dariush stepped back into the octagon after more than a year away from competition. The 36-year-old veteran had been through some tough times lately, losing his last two fights to top contenders Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. Both losses came by stoppage, which had many fans wondering if ‘Father time’ was catching up to the Iranian-American fighter. But Dariush has always been known for his mental toughness and technical skills, traits that have served him well throughout his long UFC career.

Renato Moicano came into this fight with his own story to tell. The confident (some may see it as cocky) Brazilian had been on a hot streak coming into this fight (before getting thrown into the deep end against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311). He kept calling Beneil Dariush as “Senile Dariush.” It must be noted that both are almost the same age. The Brazilian kept trash talking till the fight started. But, going into UFC 317, he realized he may have overplayed his cards.

Beneil Dariush Dominates ‘Money’ Moicano

The first round started exactly how most fans expected it would. Moicano took control of the center of the octagon right away. He immediately started pressuring Dariush toward the cage, looking to impose his will early. But Dariush had other plans and began working his inside leg kicks, a weapon that would prove crucial as the fight went on. Moicano seemed to be getting the better of the striking exchanges. His pull counter right hand was working beautifully. The round’s defining moment came when Moicano landed a picture-perfect combination that dropped Dariush to the canvas.

MONEY MOICANO DROPPED BENEIL DARIUSH 🤑#UFC317 pic.twitter.com/c4sXLeI73p
— UFC (@ufc) June 29, 2025

Round two told a completely different story. Dariush came out with renewed energy and immediately put Moicano on the back foot. The veteran hurt the Brazilian on the feet, forcing Moicano to shoot for a desperate takedown. But this played right into Dariush’s hands, as his grappling credentials are among the best in the lightweight division. After a brief scramble, Dariush managed to take Moicano’s back.

He is SO back 👊@BeneilDariush gets his hand raised at #UFC317 pic.twitter.com/SDwpavK0s8
— UFC (@ufc) June 29, 2025

The third and final round saw Moicano looking exhausted. Dariush opened with a superman punch that caught everyone’s attention, then immediately transitioned to his wrestling game. Throughout the round, Dariush controlled the pace and positioning, using his superior grappling to neutralize Moicano’s striking. The Brazilian looked exhausted, and his usually sharp combinations became labored and predictable. Dariush’s ability to mix up his attacks between striking and grappling kept Moicano guessing until the final bell. Beneil Dariush won the fight via unanimous decision (29-28 on all judges’ scorecards), and in the process, humbles the former title challenger.

What’s Next for Both Fighters

This victory puts Dariush back in an interesting position within the lightweight division. At 36 years old, he proved he still has plenty left in the tank despite those recent setbacks. The win should stabilize his ranking in the top ten and potentially set up some intriguing matchups.

For Moicano, this loss stings but doesn’t end his momentum completely. The Brazilian remains one of the most exciting fighters in the division. His willingness to take short-notice fights has earned him respect from both fans and UFC management. A step back could help him rebuild that winning streak.

(Image Credit: Dustin Safranek – Imagn Images)

Beneil Dariush

Renato Moicano

UFC 317

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!