UFC Vegas 123 unfolded this past Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada, headlined by a lightweight clash between Tom Nolan and Renato Moicano.
Heading into the bout, Nolan boasted an 11-1 overall record alongside a five-fight victory streak and a 5-1 octagon record. Conversely, Moicano was aiming to build momentum following a tapout victory over Chris Duncan, which had snapped a two-fight losing slump.
In the end, Nolan secured a stoppage victory in the third stanza. Despite early grappling control from Moicano, fatigue set in for the veteran, allowing Nolan to capitalize in round three. Looking past UFC Vegas 123, here are the recommended matchups for both lightweight competitors.
Tom Nolan
Stepping into his initial UFC headliner, Tom Nolan delivered a winning performance. Although he gained an advantage from a controversial referee stand-up while Moicano held back position, Moicano was already showing signs of exhaustion with just sixty seconds remaining in the frame, minimizing the ultimate impact of the reset.
This victory elevates Nolan toward the upper tier of the lightweight rankings, putting him in position for a high-profile showdown. Setting up a clash against Mateusz Gamrot—whom Nolan specifically targeted in his post-fight comments—is a sensible path forward. Gamrot’s elite wrestling skills would present a stern challenge, and defeating him would firmly solidify Nolan as a genuine title candidate.
Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano walked into the octagon seeking to reaffirm his standing as a viable contender after getting back in the win column against Duncan. However, stamina issues proved fatal against Nolan, as physical depletion paved the way for his third-round TKO defeat.
Presently occupying a gatekeeper role in the division, Moicano will likely be tasked with fending off rising unranked talent. Pairing him opposite Esteban Ribovics presents an ideal scenario, as Ribovics has earned an opportunity against a ranked rival. Coming off a TKO victory over King Green, fighting Moicano near the tail end of the top 15 aligns perfectly for Ribovics, while offering Moicano one final shot to defend his rank before sliding out of the top contenders.
How would you book the next Octagon appearances for Tom Nolan and Renato Moicano in the wake of UFC Vegas 123?
This post was initially published on BJPENN.COM
