Tom Nolan Stops Renato Carneiro at UFC Vegas 123
Nolan defeated Carneiro by TKO in the 155-pound main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Tom Nolan defeated Renato Carneiro by TKO at the 1:28 mark of the third round in the 155-pound main event of UFC Vegas 123 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Jacobe Smith won a welterweight co-feature by unanimous decision over Randy Brown.
Why it matters
The card produced six finishes across 12 matches, and the result positions Nolan for a next bout against Manuel Torres. Smith's decision win adds a notable matchup for the welterweight division.
The official results show six finishes in 12 matches, with Nolan (12-1) stopping Carneiro at 1:28 of the third round and Smith (14-0) winning by unanimous decision. Scheduling for Nolan's proposed bout with Manuel Torres has not been confirmed in the available information.
The players
Tom Nolan
A 155-pound mixed martial artist with a 12-1 record who won the main event by third-round TKO over Renato Carneiro.
Renato Carneiro
A 155-pound mixed martial artist who lost the UFC Vegas 123 main event to Tom Nolan by third-round TKO.
Jacobe Smith
A welterweight mixed martial artist with a 14-0 record who won a unanimous decision over Randy Brown in the co-feature.
Manuel Torres
A mixed martial artist mentioned as Nolan's likely next opponent, who previously lost to Rafael Fiziev at UFC Baku in June.
The details
Nolan took Carneiro's back and sat in a body triangle before breaking through with punches in the third frame. Smith moved the action to the canvas and outwrestled Brown on all scorecards.
Timeline
May: Jonathan Micallef edged Themba Gorimbo by split decision at UFC Perth.
June: Manuel Torres lost to Rafael Fiziev at UFC Baku.
UFC Vegas 123 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Season Trajectory
UFC Vegas 123 fits the promotion's regular Fight Night cadence at the UFC Apex, where mid-tier bouts shape rankings and matchmaking for later cards. Nolan's win and Smith's unbeaten record position both fighters for further matchups within their divisions.
Nolan's win and Smith's decision move both fighters toward further bouts that could shape their divisional standings and fantasy rosters. Fans tracking the welterweight and middleweight rankings should watch for announced matchups following this card.
The takeaway
Results like these show how a single Fight Night card can shift divisional matchmaking, as finishes and decisions alike determine the next opponents. Following announced bouts is the clearest way to track how these records develop.
What happens next
Tom Nolan is expected to face Manuel Torres next, though no date has been confirmed in the available information.
Further reading
For more on the local scene, see Mixed Martial Arts coverage in Las Vegas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sherdog.
