Tom Nolan has beaten Renato Moicano by technical knockout in the main event of UFC Vegas 123, winning his first UFC main event and extending his winning run to six fights. Nolan (12-1) finished Moicano (21-8-1) with punches at 1:28 of round three, after a fight that turned on a controversial referee decision earlier in the same round.

Referee Dan Miragliotta stood the fighters up despite Moicano holding a dominant position, a decision seldom made by referees and one that drew immediate criticism. Nolan capitalised at once, dropping Moicano and battering him with ground and pound until the finish. Earlier on the card, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani beat Farman Hasanov by doctor stoppage in round three, Jacobe Smith beat Randy Brown by unanimous decision, and Cody Durden beat Ode Osbourne by unanimous decision.

What the win means for Nolan

The victory, assuming it stands, gives Nolan six wins in a row and a statement result in his first headline slot. For Moicano, a veteran of 13 UFC wins, the defeat is a setback that will be debated as much for the stand-up as for the finish itself. Nolan's power in the third round was undeniable once the fight returned to the feet, but the question of whether Moicano was denied a chance to work from top position will follow this result for some time.