Moicano Plans To Test Free Agency After Deal

Renato Moicano wants to see what he is worth outside the UFC.

The lightweight contender told MMA Fighting he has three fights left on his current deal and intends to complete all of them before exploring free agency. Moicano faces Tom Nolan in Saturday's UFC Vegas 123 main event at the APEX.

Moicano Eyes Free Agency After Current UFC Deal

"I want to fight this deal out for sure," Moicano said. "I would like to be a free agent, too. Just to see what it's like, and in Brazil, I'm getting big, like getting popular."

The 37-year-old Brazilian rebounded from back-to-back losses with a second-round submission of Chris Duncan at UFC Vegas 115 in April. He had dropped a title fight to Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January 2025 and then lost a decision to Beneil Dariush five months later. Moicano said his decision hinges on pay and his growing business interests outside the cage, including a YouTube channel, a gym, fighter management, and an MMA promotion running a show in December.

Moicano was scheduled to rematch Brian Ortega twice this year, at UFC 326 in March and UFC 331 in September, but Ortega withdrew both times. The promotion offered a third booking in Qatar for November, but Moicano declined. He chose to face Nolan, a five-fight winner, instead because his wife is expecting twins in December and he needed to get a fight in before taking extended time off.

UFC Vegas 123 takes place Saturday at the APEX with Moicano's lightweight headliner against Nolan closing the card.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — ‘I would like to be a free agent’: Renato Moicano plans to fight out remainder of deal ahead of UFC Vegas 123 headliner