The Australian lightweight has become a legitimate contender in one of the promotion's deepest divisions, with a tenacious style and an unusually studious approach to his craft. Nolan (11-1) headlines UFC Fight Night against Renato Moicano on Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. He's won four straight fights since losing his UFC debut, most recently upsetting Fares Ziam to break into the lightweight rankings.
The 26-year-old now has the opportunity to establish himself against a veteran he's long revered, one who has shared the Octagon with some of the division's best. The matchup came together because Nolan was willing to step up. Moicano was originally scheduled to face Brian Ortega at UFC 332, but Ortega withdrew from the fight.
Nolan offered to step in. Moicano had little interest in facing such a dangerous young opponent on short notice. Instead, Moicano said he advocated for a five-round main event to give both fighters proper time to prepare. event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription!
Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year! Ahead of the biggest fight of Nolan's career, let's get to know the rising Australian contender, from the fighters who shaped his style to the bully he knocked out on his way to the UFC. Nolan was studying Moicano well before they were scheduled to meet.
He dissected Moicano's dominant stoppage win over Benoit Saint Denis to prepare for another Frenchman, Ziam. One grappling sequence in particular caught Nolan's attention. "The way he used the body triangle to go between mount and back mount.
I just thought it was a beautiful way to keep his hips facing the floor at all times," Nolan told CBS Sports. "There are only a few examples of it at a really high level to study, and you know, I'm a big believer in keeping up with the times and studying the sport." Nolan was 14 when Moicano made his UFC debut, submitting Tom Niinimaki in the second round. He's long admired Moicano's ambitious fighting style, calling him "one of the heroes" he watched growing up.
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