Tom Nolan Praises Alexander Volkanovski for Putting Australian MMA on Map Ahead of Renato Moicano Showdown

Alexander Volkanovski is on the top of the world right now after his successful title defense over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. One fighter who is hoping to follow in his footstep is Tom Nolan. The 26-year-old will take on veteran Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC Vegas 123.

Although Robert Whittaker was the first Australian champion in the UFC, he was born in New Zealand and moved to ‘The Land Down Under’ as a child. This makes Volkanovski the first ever Australian-born fighter to win the UFC gold.

Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of his main event showdown, Nolan spoke highly of the UFC featherweight champion for putting Australia on the map.

When he goes out and does that, it’s, honestly, just insane, man. It’s an honor to be the next weekend’s main event after him. It’s pretty cool. Yeah, it’s inspiring. It makes me believe like, look at the sport. Ten years ago, we barely had an Aussie in the UFC. Now we’ve got two, back-to-back on a weekend. It’s unheard of, you know? It’s crazy.

Tom Nolan via MMA Fighting

Tom Nolan is honored to follow Alexander Volkanovski’s performance in #UFCVegas123 main event: "When he goes out and does that, it’s, honestly, just insane, man. It’s an honor to be the next weekend’s main event after him." 🇦🇺 (🎥: @mikeHeck_JR) https://t.co/9xXhGvY8Fw

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 29, 2026

It took a while before Australia got recognition in the sport of MMA. Whittaker was the first champion, but never defended his middleweight title. Meanwhile, Volkanovski defended the featherweight belt five times in his first title reign and twice in his second title reign.

Jack Della Maddalena is another star from Australia who won the UFC gold. Names like Steve Erceg, Brando Pericic, Quillan Salkilld and Nolan are the other ranked UFC fighters from Australia.

Nolan has a tough task ahead of him at UFC Vegas 123 when he faces Moicano in the main event. The Brazilian contender is ranked #8 in the lightweight division and wants to fight higher up the rankings if he can get past the rising Australian star.

Nolan is on a five-fight winning run in the UFC and could enter the top 10 with a win over Moicano this weekend. He has also decided on who he’d like to fight and who he won’t fight in the lightweight division of the UFC.

Tom Nolan reveals dream matchup and hopes to avoid fellow compatriot

The UFC lightweight division is stacked with contenders like Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Paddy Pimblett as the marquee names. Then, fighters like Salahdine Parnasse, Quillan Salkilld, Mauricio Ruffy and others form the rising contenders’ list.

With a stacked roster, every fight is challenging one way or the other. For Tom Nolan, he has somebody who he wants to fight and someone he’d like to avoid. The 26-year-old identified BMF champion Charles Oliveira as a dream fight.

It’s a weird one because some of them are heroes to me. Oliveira is one of my favorites. It’s funny to sit here and say I’d want to fight him but it would be because I respect him so much.

Tom Nolan told Full Send MMA

Tom Nolan says it would be an honor to share the UFC octagon with Charles Oliveira “It’s a weird one because some of them are heroes to me. Oliveira is one of my favorites. It’s funny to sit here and say I’d want to fight him but it would be because I respect him so much” https://t.co/cjKV0yAijd

— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) October 29, 2026

For now, Oliveira is out of reach. He is defending his BMF belt at UFC 335 in December against Diego Lopes. However, Nolan can possibly fight his hero if he can keep winning streak alive. Furthermore, he also revealed his connections with Salkilld. As such, he’d like to avoid an Aussie vs Aussie matchup.

We’ve trained together and spoke about not fighting each other. On my end, I’d prefer not to fight an Aussie, I believe it’s the same on his end, too.

Tom Nolan told Full Send MMA

Tom Nolan makes it clear he has no plans on a matchup with fellow Aussie Quillan Salkilld “We’ve trained together and spoke about not fighting each other. On my end I’d prefer not to fight an Aussie, I believe it’s the same on his end too” https://t.co/lgQ70m3wCe

— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) October 29, 2026

Salkilld is on a six-fight winning streak in the UFC. Most recently, he dominated veteran Mateusz Gamrot in his first main event bout.

Salkilld is scheduled to face Benoit Saint-Denis next year when the UFC returns to Sydney, Australia. Nolan can fight on the card if his showdown with Moicano goes to plan this weekend.

Also Read:

• Alexander Volkanovski Once Again Calls Out Justin Gaethje After Demolishing Movsar Evloev at UFC 333
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