Renato Moicano made the move up to lightweight in hopes of getting his career back on track after setbacks at featherweight. The UFC contender has had a tough stretch in his new weight class but he's still looking to right the ship.

He was in the mix at featherweight but key losses to Jose Aldo and Chan Sung Jung forced him to take a step back and reevaluate where he was in the UFC. Now he's at lightweight and feeling much bigger and better.

“I think it was a smart move for me,” UFC contender Moicano told MMAJunkie. “I’m gonna be more durable, and I’m gonna have more years in the fight game, and I feel pretty well. I train with a lot of good guys like Dustin (Poirier) and Mateusz (Gamrot) and Thiago (Moises) and a lot of 155 and 170 pounders of the gym, and I feel strong. I feel it was a smart move.”

He continued, “I was a contender (featherweight), and I didn’t want to let go of my chance for the title. But I lost two in a row, and it was affecting my performance, so I had to make the move. Right now I feel confident, I feel heavy, and I feel happy training and not worrying so much about the diet.”

Now Renato Moicano is set to meet rising contender Alex Hernandez at UFC 271. Hernandez is a tough out for anyone.

“I want to fight the best, and I think he’s good,” UFC lightweight Moicano said. “He fought big names, and I think we’re gonna have a good spot on the card. It’s Feb. 12. I think Adesanya is the main event, so it’s gonna be a good card, and I’m happy to be on that card and fight against Hernandez, so I feel good.”

He continued, “I feel it’s gonna be an exciting matchup. It’s gonna be a good fight for the fans, and I hope after the fight, I get a ranked opponent because when I moved to 155, I was ranked in the top 10 (featherweight), and I didn’t fight a top-ranked (opponent) yet in ’55 yet, and I know I’m one of the best in the world, so I want my chance after the fight.”

UFC 271 is quickly taking shape with Israel Adesanya taking on Robert Whittaker in a big rematch. Renato Moicano will be hoping to capitalize with a win at the big event.