Renato Moicano Nickname Meaning: Why Does the UFC Featherweight Not Use His Surname Carneiro

When he was still a young schoolboy in Brazil, #13 ranked UFC lightweight Renato Moicano’s father made a bet with him that he wouldn’t dare get a mohawk and go to class. The Brazilian proved his father wrong and did just that. Little did anyone think that this would eventually earn him his nickname.

And as Moicano sets up to face Jalin Turner in a lightweight bout on the historic UFC 300 mega-card, the business-minded Brazilian martial artist is on the cusp of taking his career to the next level. Ahead of the consequential bout, let us take a look at the story behind his moniker and why he replaced his surname with it.

Why Renato Carneiro uses the last name ‘Moicano’

Renato Moicano was born Renato Carneiro to a well-off family in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia in 1989. However, the 34-year-old uses his nickname ‘Moicano’ as his official surname instead of his actual surname, which is the norm in Brazil.

It is quite common for Brazilians to use their nickname as their surname, as exemplified by legendary soccer players Ronaldo, Kaka, and Cafu, and even the current Brazilian President, Lula. However, the reason he got this nickname was because of the above-mentioned bet with his father.

‘Moicano’ is the Portuguese word for mohawk, the flamboyant hairstyle that is named after a famous Native American tribe. And since the Brazilian lightweight won a bet with his father by getting a mohawk and going to school with it, he was christened ‘Moicano’, and continues to use it as his surname.

Moicano wants to fight Pimblett after UFC 300

Renato Moicano is a big fan of the UFC and its ability to make fighters superstars. In a recent episode of his ‘Money Moicano’ with UFC welterweight star Gilbert Burns, ‘Money Moicano’ pointed to the example of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, as someone who was largely unknown even in his native Brazil before joining the UFC, despite being among the best kickboxers in the world at Glory FC prior to his stint in the Dana White-led promotion.

“Before, he [Alex Pereira] was a multiple-time kickboxing champion, and nobody knew him. No one knew him in Brazil, no one knew who he was in England. So my whole point is, look how UFC can launch you to the f***ing stars… But look at the potential of UFC why UFC can offer to you, you know,” he said.

Moicano will be hoping to be on a similar trajectory in the near future as he gears up to face #10 ranked Jalin Turner at UFC 300. A victory over the #10 ranked American will certainly help the Brazilian break into the top-ten rankings. He is aiming for a bout against divisive lightweight star Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett if he beats Turner and a win against the Scouser will certainly help him get some more traction and get into the title picture in the not-too-distant future.

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