NOLAN ARRIVES: Aussie Finishes Moicano in Halloween Headliner
Tom Nolan picked the perfect night to scare the lightweight division.
The Australian, ranked No. 14, stopped No. 12 Renato Moicano by TKO at 1:28 of round three in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan at Meta APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday. It was Nolan's first UFC main event and the biggest win of his career, and he did it as the betting underdog.
The early going belonged to Moicano. The Brazilian took Nolan down in round one, climbed onto his back and hunted his trademark rear naked choke. He did it again in round two, locking a body triangle. Nolan defended the hands and survived.
Then the fight turned. Referee Dan Miragliotta stood the fighters up in round two, a call UFC.com described as surprising, and Nolan went to work. He dropped Moicano, unloaded a barrage and nearly finished him before the horn. In round three he hurt Moicano early, swept him when the Brazilian shot for a takedown, and hammered away from top position until Miragliotta waved it off.
UFC.com said Nolan "announced his arrival as the latest new contender in the talent stacked lightweight division."
There were no title fights on the card.
Main Card Results
- Tom Nolan def. Renato Moicano by TKO (punches and elbows), round 3, 1:28
- Jacobe Smith def. Randy Brown by unanimous decision (30 to 26 on all three cards)
- Cody Durden def. Ode' Osbourne by unanimous decision (29 to 28 on all three cards)
- Luana Santos def. Yana Santos by unanimous decision (29 to 28 on all three cards)
- Jean Paul Lebosnoyani def. Farman Hasanov by TKO (doctor stoppage), round 3, 2:11
In the co main event, unbeaten welterweight Jacobe Smith dominated UFC veteran Randy Brown and keeps climbing the 170 pound ladder. Lebosnoyani handed Hasanov the first loss of his career in a thrilling main card opener.
Halloween in Vegas produced a new name at 155. Remember it: Tom Nolan.
Sources: UFC.com, Fightful, Kalshi.
