Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
UFC lightweight contender Tom Nolan was ripped by a legendary coach following his controversial win at UFC Vegas 123.
UFC lightweight Tom Nolan earned the biggest win of his career, albeit controversially, in the UFC Vegas 123 main event last Saturday. Nolan finished Renato Moicano by TKO to extend his six-fight winning streak.
But just minutes before finishing Moicano, Nolan was in deep trouble after Moicano had him locked up on the ground. After what referee Dan Miragliotta perceived as low activity, he opted to stand Moicano and Nolan back up and reset the bout, drawing heavy criticism from fans, pundits, and fighters.
Following his controversial victory, Nolan didn’t address the referee’s decision directly, which led one legendary MMA coach to criticize his reluctance.
Tom Nolan ripped by legendary coach Ray Longo after controversial UFC Vegas 123 win
In a recent episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast, legendary MMA coach Ray Longo criticized Nolan for his post-fight comments after UFC Vegas 123.
“I kind of feel bad for Tom Nolan. I liked him going in; I don’t even know if I like him coming out, which is bad,” Longo said of Nolan.
“I think he handled it really badly on the mic afterwards. You got gifted something. You couldn’t get out. Your answer was to elbow the thigh. Maybe eventually it would’ve worked, but there were things happening down there.
“The UFC has been very outspoken. They want knockouts,” Longo continued on Nolan. “That’s what they pride themselves on, the exciting fights. This is getting crazy.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
Longtime UFC analyst Joe Rogan scorched Miragliotta’s decision, calling it a scar on Mixed Martial Arts as a sport. As of this writing, Moicano doesn’t plan on appealing the UFC Vegas 123 loss and will enter free agency.
What are your thoughts on the Renato Moicano vs. Tom Nolan controversy? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
