Moicano dismisses Nolan's hero worship after controversial UFC Vegas 123 stoppage loss

Renato Moicano has brushed off Tom Nolan’s admiration with characteristic bluntness, insisting he is no hero after losing to the Australian by third-round TKO at UFC Vegas 123 on 31 October at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Nolan had described Moicano as one of his heroes before the fight, but the Brazilian was having none of it. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Moicano said he doubted the sincerity of the compliment entirely, arguing it was performed for the cameras rather than genuinely felt.

“Fck that sht… Just to hear that makes me sick,” Moicano said. “Fck him. Nah, fck compliments. That’s not real life. People say that for the camera. I don’t believe him. I’m not fcking Charles Oliveira or Khabib. I’m a journeyman, let’s be fcking honest.”

The defeat itself was not without controversy. In the second round, referee Dan Miragliotta stood the fighters up while Moicano had taken Nolan’s back — a decision that drew immediate criticism. Nolan went on to finish the fight by technical knockout in the third round, handing Moicano a loss that dropped his record to 21-8-1.

By distancing himself from legends such as Oliveira and Nurmagomedov, Moicano appeared to be managing expectations as much as deflecting praise. Whether the self-deprecation reflects genuine humility or frustration at the manner of the defeat, the 33-year-old made clear he has little patience for flattery — particularly from an opponent who then went on to beat him.