Moicano Plans Free Agency Test After UFC Vegas 123 Main Event

Renato Moicano says he plans to finish out his current UFC contract and then test free agency, with three fights left on his deal starting with Saturday's main event against Tom Nolan at UFC Vegas 123.

Moicano, ranked No. 8 in the UFC lightweight division, headlines the Oct. 31 card at Meta Apex in Las Vegas against Nolan, an Australian heavy hitter making his first UFC main event appearance. Speaking about his future, the 37-year-old Moicano made clear he intends to honor the remainder of his contract before weighing his options outside the promotion.

"I want to fight this deal out for sure," Moicano said. "I want to do the whole thing, and then let's see what happens. I would like to be a free agent, too, just to see what it's like."

Why Moicano Is Thinking Beyond the UFC

Moicano says his decision on re-signing will come down to money and how his body feels once the current deal is finished. He pointed to his rising popularity in Brazil and outside interests, including boxing, as factors that give him leverage and options regardless of what the UFC offers.

"We have to wait and see," Moicano said. "After I fight this fight, fight the next, and I see how I feel and how much money I'm making in the UFC. If the money is good, if it's worth it, nice, let's go. If not, I'll have stuff to take care of me, you know?"

He has already started building that cushion. Moicano runs a growing YouTube channel, has begun managing fighters in Brazil, and has his own MMA promotion running a show on Dec. 5. None of that suggests he is rushing toward the exit, but it does mean the UFC is no longer his only path forward professionally.

What a Win Over Nolan Means for Moicano's Leverage

A win over Tom Nolan would tighten Moicano's grip on the lightweight top 10 and add weight to his side of the table whenever contract talks start. Nolan is using his first UFC main event to try to take that ranked spot for himself, and a statement finish would matter not just for his own standing in the division but for how he's perceived as a threat to the names above Moicano.

For Moicano, staying active and ranked keeps his asking price up, whether that conversation happens with the UFC or with an outside promotion. A loss complicates things on both fronts: it would blunt his leverage internally and make a jump to free agency a tougher sell commercially.

Betting Angle

Moicano enters as the established name and the betting markets are likely to reflect his experience and ranking advantage over a first-time UFC headliner in Nolan, though oddsmakers tend to respect power on paper and Nolan is described as a heavy hitter capable of changing a fight in one exchange. Bettors leaning toward Moicano are essentially backing experience and divisional positioning, while anyone considering Nolan is banking on raw power creating an opportunity in just his first crack at main event pressure. Given Moicano's public comments about weighing his long-term future, there's also a sharper subtext here: a dominant win keeps his value high for his next negotiation, while a rough night could speed up his timeline toward testing the open market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Renato Moicano want to test free agency?

Renato Moicano says he wants to fight out the remainder of his UFC contract, which has three fights left including UFC Vegas 123, and then see what free agency offers given his growing popularity in Brazil and outside business ventures.

Who is Renato Moicano fighting at UFC Vegas 123?

Renato Moicano headlines UFC Vegas 123 against Australian fighter Tom Nolan on Oct. 31, 2026, at Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

What is Renato Moicano's UFC ranking?

Renato Moicano is ranked No. 8 in the UFC lightweight division heading into his main event bout against Tom Nolan.