Read about Tom Nolan’s spectacular UFC debut and his rise to stardom in the MMA world. Learn about his journey, fighting style, and upcoming fight at UFC Fight Night.
| Tom Nolan’s Spectacular UFC Debut | Tom Nolan made his mark on the UFC with a highlight reel knockout on Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series. This unforgettable moment earned him a coveted UFC contract in August 2023, solidifying his place among the elite fighters in the world. Nolan, an undefeated prospect from Australia, has been on a meteoric rise in the MMA world. Starting his professional career less than three years ago, he has already collected six straight victories, with a four-fight finish streak that includes three first-round knockouts. |
Tom Nolan’s Spectacular UFC Debut
In a stunning display of skill and power, Tom Nolan made his mark on the UFC with a highlight reel knockout on Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series. This unforgettable moment earned him a coveted UFC contract in August 2023, solidifying his place among the elite fighters in the world.
Nolan, an undefeated prospect from Australia, has been on a meteoric rise in the MMA world. Starting his professional career less than three years ago, he has already collected six straight victories, with a four-fight finish streak that includes three first-round knockouts.
The pinnacle of Nolan’s journey came during his latest fight on DWCS against Bogdan Grad. Just over a minute into the bout, Nolan unleashed a picture-perfect left hook that sent Grad crashing to the canvas. The knockout was so impressive that it left UFC CEO Dana White on his feet, applauding the young fighter’s skill and potential.
White couldn’t help but praise Nolan’s abilities, stating, "6-foot-3, 155 pounds; he’s a straight killer. Only 23 years old. The only thing I have to say about this kid is you have a bright future, Tom Nolan." These words of encouragement from the UFC boss further solidified Nolan’s status as a rising star in the sport.
While earning a UFC contract was a surreal experience for Nolan, he remains grounded and focused on his goals. In an interview, he mentioned that not much has changed in his day-to-day life, but he is grateful to be living out his dreams. Nolan still believes there is work to be done and is determined to continue improving.
Nolan’s journey in martial arts began at a young age when he was inspired by his idol, Anderson Silva. Initially, MMA was just a way for him to stay in shape during the rugby off-season. However, it quickly became a passion, leading him to accept his first amateur fight in 2016. Since then, Nolan has dedicated himself to the sport, accumulating 17 fights in total.
This Saturday, Nolan will make his highly anticipated UFC debut at UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Walker 2. Returning to the same venue where he earned his contract, he feels a sense of familiarity and confidence. Regardless of the location, Nolan is always ready to rise to the occasion and showcase his skills.
During his time preparing for this fight, Nolan has focused on improving his "short game" and his elbow strikes. He believes that he has made significant progress since his last fight and is eager to demonstrate his growth in the Octagon.
Nolan’s opponent for his debut is Nikolas Motta, another DWCS alum. Motta has fought four times since earning his contract in 2020, with only one win in that span. Nolan sees this as an opportunity to display his violent fighting style to UFC fans for the first time.
Don’t miss a moment of UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Walker 2, taking place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The prelims start at 4pm ET/1pm PT, followed by the main card at 7pm ET/4pm PT.
