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Tom Nolan says MMA was his escape from Australia's 'theft capital' before first UFC main event

The Australian, who headlines against Renato Moicano at the Meta APEX on Saturday, said he would like to be a beacon for others trying to get out.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published · AI-assisted reporting
Tom Nolan quote: I got into this sport to escape that
Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Tom Nolan says mixed martial arts was his way out of a small Australian town he described as one of the country's drug capitals, ahead of the first UFC main event of his career against Renato Moicano on Saturday.

"I come from a very small, small town. It's the like theft capital of Australia. It's one of the drug capitals. It's like not many people really get out of there," Nolan said at UFC Vegas 123 media day.

"I got into this sport to escape that. And I'm sure there's plenty of other people who want to escape that. So I would like to be a beacon if I can for that."

The 26-year-old meets Moicano at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. He has said it is an honour to headline a week after Alexander Volkanovski's title win, and Moicano has answered his praise by saying "I don't want compliments. I want money."

UK start time and how to watch Moicano vs Nolan.

In this story
Tom NolanRenato MoicanoAlexander Volkanovski
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