The younger fighter managed to dethrone the veteran, but not without one of the most controversial calls, if not the most controversial, of this UFC calendar year. Tom Nolan earned a highly controversial third-round TKO of former title challenger Renato Moicano in the UFC Vegas 123 main event.
After some exchanging of kicks, Moicano easily scored a takedown, got to Nolan’s back, and locked in a body triangle. Moicano hunted for a choke and came close on multiple occasions, and while he wasn’t able to get it, it was pure domination from Moicano.
The second round went the same route. That is, until referee Dan Miragliotta called for a stand-up with Moicano on Nolan’s back, body triangle locked in with just over a minute left in the frame. This moment proved to be debated, with many MMA media members and fighters criticizing the call on social media, arguing the kind of position Moicano was in was dominant, and that Nolan holding onto Moicano’s arm was what triggered the stand-up.
Either way, it proved to be the fight’s turning point. Nolan hit Moicano with a stunning knee late in the round and pummeled him, nearly getting the finish in the second before his striking helped get him the round three stoppage.
Nolan has now won six straight fights since dropping his UFC debut.
