Moicano Rejects Nolan's Praise: 'I Want Money' at UFC Vegas 123

Renato Moicano shut down Tom Nolan's praise ahead of their UFC Vegas 123 main event on October 31 at the Meta Apex, telling reporters he has no interest in compliments from the 26-year-old he's about to fight.

Nolan called Moicano one of his heroes growing up during a UFC Vegas 123 media day, saying "fighting a legend and a hero of mine growing up is a cool thing." Moicano wasn't having it. "F--k that, Tom Nolan," Moicano said. "I'm going to beat your f--king ass, bro. Stop that s--t. I don't want compliments. I want money."

Why Moicano Ended Up Fighting Nolan

Moicano was originally booked to face Brian Ortega at UFC 331 in September before an Ortega injury scrapped the bout, pushing Moicano to this rebooked main event against Nolan instead. Moicano has made peace with the swap and argues it's actually the better move for his career. "I believe everybody can agree with that that Tom Nolan is more dangerous than Ortega," Moicano said. "Ortega is a bigger name, but I think beating Tom Nolan would do better for my record and for my resume."

There's real urgency behind that focus. Moicano is working through the final stretch of his UFC contract and has talked openly about testing free agency once it's up, but he says winning Saturday comes first. "I need to win otherwise I just get paid half," Moicano said. "I'm going over there. Try to beat the motherf--ker and keep going. I want to beat Tom Nolan, keep going, get a high-profile opponent, and like I say, I want to see what is next for me."

How Close Is This Fight on Paper

Sportsbooks have this one essentially a pick 'em, with Nolan installed as a slight favorite at -122 and Moicano around +102. That number tells its own story. Moicano, 37, is a UFC veteran making his 30th professional appearance, with a finish of training partner Chris Duncan via second-round rear naked choke in his last outing this past April. Nolan is 26 and has lost just once in 12 pro fights, and the market is treating his youth, momentum and relative mystery as enough to offset Moicano's massive experience edge.

Betting Angle

A near pick 'em line with a 37-year-old veteran on one side and a surging, lightly-tested 26-year-old on the other is exactly the kind of spot sharp bettors like to dig into. Moicano's finishing instincts and championship-level experience are proven commodities, but the number suggests oddsmakers see real decline risk or see Nolan's physical tools as a bad stylistic matchup. With the line sitting close to even, this shapes up as a fight where round-by-round or method-of-victory props may offer more value than the straight moneyline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Renato Moicano fighting Tom Nolan at UFC Vegas 123?

Renato Moicano was originally set to face Brian Ortega at UFC 331 in September, but an Ortega injury led to Moicano being rebooked against Tom Nolan in the UFC Vegas 123 main event on October 31.

Who is favored in Moicano vs. Nolan at UFC Vegas 123?

Tom Nolan is a slight favorite at around -122 with Renato Moicano at about +102, making the UFC Vegas 123 main event close to a pick 'em on the betting markets.

What did Renato Moicano say about Tom Nolan's compliments?

After Tom Nolan called him a childhood hero, Renato Moicano rejected the praise, saying he wants no compliments and plans to beat Nolan when they meet at UFC Vegas 123.