Danger lurks in every nook and cranny for those who have to deal with Renato Carneiro in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The American Top Team standout put away Cub Swanson with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their UFC 227 showcase on Aug. 4, 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Operating in the shadows of the T.J. Dillashaw–Cody Garbrandt main event and Demetrious Johnson–Henry Cejudo co-headliner, Carneiro brought it to a close 4:15 into Round 1. The Brazilian seized the reins with powerful leg kicks, felled Swanson with a jab and nearly finished it with a burst of hammerfists. Carneiro eventually climbed to full mount and set off a scramble, at which point he maneuvered behind the battle-tested American. “Money Moicano” secured his position with a body triangle, negotiated Swanson’s defenses and ensnared the World Extreme Cagefighting veteran in a fight-ending rear-naked choke. He banked a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his efforts.
As Carneiro approaches his forthcoming clash with Chris Duncan atop the UFC Fight Night 272 ticket on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, his finish against Swanson still ranks as one of his most memorable submissions. Four others to consider:
Jungle Fight 71
July 19, 2014 | Sao Paulo, Brazil
Carneiro laid claim to the interim Jungle Fight featherweight championship when he dispatched “Marretta” with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their main event at Caninde Gymnasium. Beaten for the first time in almost three years, Bonfim waved the white flag 2:59 into Round 1. Carneiro executed a trip takedown and flirted with a guillotine before climbing to full mount in a seamless transition. From there, he dropped punches and forced Bonfim to turn away from contact. Carneiro then flattened out his counterpart, unloaded with punches and zeroed in on the neck when the Shooto Brazil alum stood out of desperation. “Money Moicano” remained attached to the back, cinched a body triangle and proceeded to strangle Bonfim, prompting the tapout. Carneiro arrived in the UFC five months later.
UFC Fight Night 58
Dec. 20, 2014 | Sao Paulo, Brazil
Carneiro filled in as a short-notice substitution for Rony Mariano Bezerra and excelled in his Octagon debut, as he disposed of the Finn with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their featherweight prelim at Jose Correa Arena. Niinimaki clocked out 3:30 into Round 2. The undefeated Carneiro carved up the former Cage MMA Finland champion on the feet throughout what was a largely one-sided encounter. “Money Moicano” countered beautifully, mixed in leg attacks and targeted the head and body with kicks. A two-punch combination spearheaded by a left hook wobbled Niinimaki and allowed the Brazilian to assume top position and eventually achieve full mount. Soon after, Carneiro was on his opponent’s back with a body triangle. The choke came next, and Niinimaki had no choice but to tap.
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UFC Fight Night 170
March 14, 2020 | Brasilia, Brazil
Carneiro rebounded from back-to-back losses to Jose Aldo and Chan Sung Jung when he cast aside “The Bosnian Bomber” less than a minute into their lightweight attraction at Nilson Nelson Gymnasium. Hadzovic, who had never before been submitted, met his end 44 seconds into Round 1. Carneiro executed a trip takedown after a brief exchange on the feet, moved to a standing position and scrambled onto the Arte Suave product’s back. He then laced a body triangle, snaked his arms around Hadzovic’s neck and let his squeeze do the rest. Six-plus years later, it remains the only sub-minute finish of Carneiro’s career.
UFC 281
Nov. 12, 2022 | New York
Carneiro course corrected after a five-round decision defeat to Rafael dos Anjos when he dismissed the Christchurch, New Zealand, native with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their featured prelim at Madison Square Garden. Riddell issued his surrender 3:20 into Round 1. Riddell was a non-factor. Carneiro bludgeoned him with punches, drawing blood under his right eye. He worked his way onto the City Kickboxing rep’s back after an attempted takedown, saw an opportunity to attack the neck and weaved his arms into place. Riddell resisted briefly, then capitulated.
