More than becoming a UFC champion, rising lightweight star Renato ‘Money’ Moicano wants to be a brand. ‘Money’, of course, is coming off a fantastic and dominant win over promising French prospect Benoit Saint-Denis and is set to face #9 ranked veteran Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 in February.

You will remember that ‘Money’ had called out English lightweight star Paddy Pimblett after the Saint-Denis fight, but the UFC had different plans for him. Since Pimblett is ranked outside the top ten at the moment, ‘MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin asked #10 ranked Moicano a very interesting question in a recent interview.

“If you beat Beneil Dariush, it seems like [Max] Holloway, [Justin] Gaethje, those would be the guys that will be next for you. Do you feel like at that point you’ve completely moved beyond a Paddy Pimblett?” Martin asked.

After all, any fighter in ‘Money’s position would want to fight a top-five fighter after defeating a veteran like Dariush. But not Moicano, who is looking at the big picture. “I don’t know, maybe, maybe [I will have moved beyond Pimblett]. But I don’t care too much. Like I say, I will do what UFC wants,” Moicano said before explaining exactly why he would still want to fight Pimblett even if he defeats Dariush.

“If UFC wants me to break his [Pimblett’s] face it’s going to be easy money, if not I move on and fight somebody else in the top five for the title. Title is good but I want to build a brand, I want to build something bigger, you know- a name, a persona, call it whatever for after when and I’m done, you know so I can capitalize on that. And like him or not. Paddy has a huge audience,” the clearly business-savvy lightweight star added.

On the other hand, the Englishman has also teased a fight with Michael Chandler recently, and if both he and Moicano can win their next fight, it might just set-up an interesting clash between the two. But Moicano, being the smart guy he is, also has another opponent in mind.

Renato Moicano all-in on fighting UFC champ after Dariush

Renato Moicano, of course, could also really elevate his brand if he fights one of the top UFC legends like Max Holloway or Justin Gaethje. Some would argue fighting one of these men would be better for Moicano’s career and standing among fans than going down the rankings to fight Pimblett. After all, even a hard-fought loss to an absolute dog like Holloway or a Gaethje would gain him more respect than perhaps a win over Pimblett.

Not to mention, ‘Blessed’ in particular would be an excellent fight for Moicano following Dariush. After all, the Hawaii native holds the BMF belt, and winning that would not only increase his star power but also give him a claim to fight for the UFC’s 155-pound title, the most coveted belt in the entire promotion, indeed the entire sport.

Moreover, ‘Money’ has no qualms in fighting Holloway for his BMF belt next. “100 percent if you beat Max Holloway, you’re fighting for the title. It’s a fight that I would be willing to take 100 percent,” Moicano said in the same interview. The UFC’s lightweight division is dominated by veterans and pumping in some new blood, especially a star in the making like Moicano would be a win-win for everyone involved. What do you think about Moicano’s thoughts on a possible Paddy Pimblett fight?