You'll never see me complaining about the UFC or how much I'm

Hear the words of the warrior Renato Moicano, who declared: “You’ll never see me complaining about the UFC or how much I’m paid because that doesn’t matter. Everybody has their own struggles. I have to put my knees on the ground and be thankful for being able to do what I love and being paid for it.” In this statement lies not only the heart of a fighter, but the spirit of a sage. For it is the creed of one who understands that greatness is not found in grumbling over what one lacks, but in giving thanks for what one has, and in laboring with joy in the path chosen.

The ancients revered such wisdom. The Stoics taught that men are not disturbed by what happens to them, but by the judgments they place upon those happenings. Moicano embodies this same truth. He chooses not to measure his worth by gold or by envy of others, but by his ability to kneel, to bow his head, and to give thanks that he is alive, strong, and able to fight. In a world where many cry out in dissatisfaction, his voice becomes a reminder that true strength lies in humility, not pride.

Consider the story of Diogenes the Cynic, who owned nothing yet lived with a wealth of freedom. When Alexander the Great asked if there was anything he could give him, Diogenes simply replied, “Yes—stand out of my sunlight.” He was thankful simply to live, to breathe, and to enjoy the warmth of the sun. Moicano’s words echo this same spirit: what matters is not the riches offered by the world, but the joy of living one’s truth, even if the reward is simple.

And yet, Moicano’s saying does not deny struggle—he acknowledges it openly. “Everybody has their own struggles,” he says, and in this admission lies his humility. He knows that wealth, fame, and even victory cannot shield any man from hardship. The king suffers as surely as the beggar, though in different ways. What matters, then, is not the absence of trial, but the posture of the soul when trial comes. By putting his knees on the ground, he declares that his strength is drawn not from arrogance but from reverence, not from entitlement but from gratitude.

This attitude transforms the arena. For the fighter who enters with bitterness is already defeated, but the one who enters with gratitude carries a power beyond muscle or skill. Such a one fights with joy, with freedom, with a heart unchained by complaints. The victory or the loss does not define him—what defines him is the spirit that bows in thankfulness for the chance to contend at all. This is not weakness; it is the highest form of strength.

The lesson for us, then, is clear. Do not dwell endlessly on what you are paid, on what you lack, on the unfairness of the world. All men and women carry unseen struggles. Instead, bend your knees, whether in prayer, meditation, or silent gratitude, and give thanks that you are alive to labor, to strive, to love, and to create. By shifting the focus from complaint to gratitude, you will find a peace that no coin can buy.

Practical wisdom follows: begin each day by naming aloud what you are thankful for. If your work is hard, give thanks that you are strong enough to bear it. If your path is narrow, give thanks that it is still open before you. And in times of success, give thanks more deeply still, lest pride blind you to the source of your blessings. In this way, gratitude becomes not a fleeting emotion but a way of life, a shield against bitterness, and a fire that sustains you in hardship.

Thus, Moicano’s words rise as a timeless commandment: Do not waste your life in complaining. Be thankful for the chance to fight, to work, to live. Accept the struggles, for they are the forge of strength, and bow your knees in reverence for the life you are given. For he who walks with gratitude walks undefeated, even when the battle is hard. Choose thanks over complaint, and you will find victory in every season.