Renato Moicano Lost the "Easiest Fight" in His Division—Then UFC Sent Him to the A

Renato Moicano has a new opponent and main-event assignment, but that did not lessen his frustration after losing his UFC 331 rematch with Brian Ortega.

Ortega withdrew from Saturday’s event after suffering a cut above his left eye that required stitches. The injury removed both lightweights from the card at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Moicano subsequently criticized Ortega during a video published on his YouTube channel.

“The easiest fight in the division just slipped through my fingers,” Moicano said, according to MMA Mania.

The Brazilian also accused Ortega of withdrawing unnecessarily and questioned whether other fighters would agree to face him. Those statements represent Moicano’s opinion. Ortega publicly showed the stitched cut and said doctors would not clear him to compete.

UFC Gives Moicano a New Main Event

Moicano will now face No. 11-ranked lightweight Tom Nolan in the main event of UFC Vegas 123 on October 31 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

The UFC officially announced the five-round matchup Monday. Nolan has won five consecutive fights and will compete in his first UFC main event.

Moicano enters the fight after submitting Chris Duncan in April. The 37-year-old is ranked No. 7 in the lightweight division and has recorded 11 submission victories during his professional career.

The new assignment keeps Moicano active, but it moves him from a numbered card at Crypto.com Arena to a smaller Fight Night event at the Meta Apex.

MMA Fighting reported that Moicano was particularly upset about the time and money spent preparing for Ortega for a second time.

Ortega-Moicano Rematch Has Been Canceled Twice

Ortega and Moicano were initially scheduled to meet again at UFC 326 in March. Ortega also withdrew from that booking because of injuries.

Their first fight occurred at UFC 214 in July 2017. Ortega won by third-round guillotine choke when both men competed at featherweight.

Athlon Sports MMA Team’s UFC schedule tracks both UFC 331 and the promotion’s October 31 Fight Night.

The team previously covered another significant card change when Yair Rodriguez withdrew from Noche UFC, forcing Jose Miguel Delgado into a short-notice main event.

Athlon Sports MMA Team also examined Ilia Topuria’s unsettled championship situation, which remains important to Moicano and the other ranked lightweight contenders.

UFC 331 will proceed with 12 fights, according to Sportsnet. Joshua Van’s flyweight title defense against Alexandre Pantoja remains the main event.

Moicano now has six weeks to prepare for Nolan and a chance to improve his position in the lightweight rankings. No third attempt to book the Ortega rematch has been announced.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.