Renato Moicano Just Explained Why Brazil Still Absolutely Hates Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen

You want to know the fastest way to get an entire nation to despise you? Go after their heroes. That's exactly what Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen figured out, and Brazil has not forgotten.

After his win against Chris Duncan at UFC Vegas 115, lightweight Renato Moicano laid out exactly why these two fighters are the most hated in Brazil, and the answer takes you straight back to childhood rage. When Moicano was 15 or 16 years old, he idolized Anderson Silva and José Aldo. Then Chael Sonnen started running his mouth about Silva, and it hit different. Moicano got so mad, he actually considered buying a flight ticket to a UFC event just to walk up and punch Sonnen in the face. That wasn't a joke either. He meant every word.

McGregor Pulled the Same Playbook

McGregor didn't invent disrespecting Brazilian icons, but he perfected it. His whole press tour leading up to the José Aldo fight was ruthless. He talked down to Aldo like the featherweight champ was nobody, made Brazil the punchline of his jokes, and turned the entire buildup into his personal show. For Brazilian kids watching their hero get disrespected that way, it cut deep.

Here's what Moicano said straight up: "Two guys Brazilians hate are Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen. When I was 15,16, I looked up to Anderson Silva, José Aldo, all these guys. [Chael] was talking so much s*** about Anderson Silva… that I thought of buying a flight ticket to go to a UFC event just to sucker-punch Chael Sonnen."

The Hatred Doesn't Fade

Both Sonnen and McGregor knew exactly what they were doing. Attacking national heroes gets attention and sells fights. But it also creates real hatred that doesn't just disappear after the event ends. Years later, the damage is still there, still raw.

And it's about to get interesting again. Charles Oliveira wants another shot at the title and he's ready to face McGregor, who is eyeing a return in July this year. Oliveira's prepared to fight in that same window. A McGregor fight would give Brazilian fans a chance to see their hero face off against the guy who disrespected them so much, a chance to maybe avenge what happened with Aldo.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.