Trent Reinsmith
- Two top 15 ranked featherweights who are looking for bounce-back performances face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night 154
- What did the loss to Jose Aldo teach Moicano?
- Is Jung still a fighter to be reckoned with in the 145-pound division?
The UFC makes its first stop in Greenville, South Carolina this week for UFC Fight Night 154. A high-stakes featherweight contest headlines the event, which takes place at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The main event pits Renato Moicano against former flyweight title challenger Chan Sung Jung, who might be better known to fans by his nickname, “The Korean Zombie.”
Moicano vs Jung Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
| Renato Moicano | -200 |
| Chan Sung Jung | +160 |
Odds taken 06/17/19
Moicano and Jung Recent Fights
Moicano, who is the no. 5 ranked fighter according to the official UFC rankings, is coming off a second-round knockout loss to the suddenly resurgent former champion Jose Aldo. Moicano was favored over Aldo in that February matchup. In his bout before the Aldo fight, Moicano submitted UFC veteran Cub Swanson in the first round.
Jung, who lost a title fight to Aldo in 2013, returned from a four-year break due to injury and his mandatory military service in his home country of South Korea, in 2017 to score a first-round knockout over Dennis Bermudez. In his next outing, which took place 21 months later, due to a knee injury layoff, Yair Rodriguez knocked out Jung in the fifth round with one of the most brutal and well-timed elbows in MMA history. Jung is currently ranked no. 12 in the 145-pound division.
Moicano and Jung Skill Sets
Moicano has a reputation as a dangerous jiu-jitsu player, and he is. However, his striking cannot be overlooked. At 5’11”, he is a tall featherweight and he has developed a dangerous Muay Thai striking style that compliments his length well. Moicano also uses that length to enter in and out of range with his stiff jab. Moicano has good takedown skills inside the clinch. If the fight does go to the ground, Moicano possesses high-level submission skills.
Jung earned his nickname thanks to his fighting style. Jung is a pressure fighter who always seems to be moving forward no matter what his opponent throws his way. He uses that pressure to back his opponent into the cage. Jung does his best work in close when it comes to his striking. Although Jung is known for his striking, he is no slouch on the mat. He’s delivered some highlight reel submissions, including his famous “twister” of Leonard Garcia in 2011.
Moicano vs Jung Tale of the Tape
| Renato Moicano | Category | Chan Sung Jung |
| 30 | Age | 32 |
| 13-2-1 | Record | 14-5 |
| 0 | Knockout Wins | 4 |
| 6 | Submission Wins | 8 |
| 7 | Decision Wins | 2 |
| 5’11” | Height | 5’7″ |
| 145 pounds | Weight | 145 pounds |
| 72″ | Reach | 72″ |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| 5.60 | Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute | 4.12 |
| 46% | Striking Accuracy | 39% |
| 3.53 | Significant Strikes Absorbed Per Minute | 3.81 |
| 67% | Striking Defense | 60% |
| 1.18 | Takedown Average Per 15 Minutes | 0.81 |
| 54% | Takedown Accuracy | 41% |
| 76% | Takedown Defense | 75% |
| 0.4 | Submission Average Per 15 Minutes | 0.7 |
What’s on the Line?
For Moicano, it is imperative that he win this contest for him to retain his spot as a potential title challenger. This fight is important for Jung as well. A win against Moicano should send him surging up the rankings. However, a loss to Moicano probably won’t hurt him all that much in the eyes of the fans. He’s established himself as a fighter, like Donald Cerrone, who the fans will flock to due to his style. Moicano, who is still establishing himself in the UFC, has much more on the line in South Carolina.
Moicano is Too Well-Rounded
Jung is an exciting fighter, but he does not match up well against Moicano. It’s unlikely that Jung will be able to crowd Moicano against the cage thanks to Moicano’s length and ability to keep his opponents at distance. I would expect Moicano to pick Jung apart from distance and frustrate him with that style, which could cause Jung to become reckless, which could open him up to the strikes of his opponent.
The biggest concern for Moicano is that he enters the fight with too much aggression, thanks to the loss to Aldo. If he does that he could find himself sucked into an in close striking battle with Jung, which could prove disastrous. I believe Moicano’s team will have him prepared for everything Jung brings to the table.
Pick: Renato Moicano (-200)
