LAS VEGAS – Tom Nolan put a lot of pressure on himself before his second UFC fight, but breathed a sigh of relief after earning his first victory in the promotion.
Nolan (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) faced Victor Martinez in the preliminary fight of UFC 241 Fight Night at the UFC Apex. The Australian caught Martinez (13-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) with a clean knee to the midsection, leading to a TKO stoppage at 3:50 of the first round of an entertaining lightweight fight while it lasted.
The result marked Nolan’s first UFC victory, which came after a disappointing stoppage loss in his debut in January. The Dana White’s Contender Series veteran felt his back against the wall and felt the pressure of needing to raise his hand.
“I fought some adversity,” Nolan explained in a post-fight press conference. “I mentally fought against my own adversities. It’s stressful missing your debut, you know? You have to win your second fight. You can get cut or get into a bad fight in no time. I had all these thoughts going on.
“That’s all I do. This is my only way to make money. So for me, it was really all or nothing for this fight, and that’s a lot of pressure. I think I handled it pretty well.”
Nolan, 24, has a natural advantage over most of his peers in his division, standing at 6-foot-3. The height advantage influenced his game plan against Martinez, but ultimately it was a close knee that led to the end of the fight.
“I thought it would take longer, to be honest,” Nolan said. “Actually, I expected a decision or a late ending. But I’m glad it ended early. I don’t get paid for overtime.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 241 Fight Night.
UFC Fight Night 241 – Vanessa Demopoulos 1
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Demopoulos x Ducote
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Vanessa Demopoulos defeated. Emily Ducote, UFC Fight Night 241 scorecard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Alatengheili
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Alatengheili x Rodrigues
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Heili Alateng defeated. Kleydson Rodrigues, UFC Fight Night 241 scoreboard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Ariane Carnelossi
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Rodriguez x Carnelossi
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Ariane Carnelossi defeated. Piera Rodriguez, UFC Fight Night 241 scores
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Abus Magomedov
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Magomedov x Alves
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Abus Magomedov defeated. Warlley Alves, UFC Fight Night 241 scorecard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Melissa Gatto
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Vidal x Gatto
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Melissa Gatto won. Tamires Vidal, UFC Fight Night 241 scoreboard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Oumar Sy
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Sy x Tokkos
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Oumar Sy defeated. Tuco Tokkos, UFC Fight Night 241 scoreboard
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UFC Fight Night 241-Tom Nolan
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Martinez vs. Nolan
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Tom Nolan defeated. Victor Martinez, UFC Fight Night 241 scoreboard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Angela Hill
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Pinheiro x Hill
Luana Pinheiro x Ângela Hill
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Angela Hill defeated. Luana Pinheiro, UFC Fight Night 241 scorecard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Adrian Yanez
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Yanez x Salvador
Adrian Yanez x Vinicius Salvador
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Adrian Yanez defeated. Vinicius Salvador, UFC Fight Night 241 scorecard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Themba Gorimbo
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Gorimbo x Brahimaj
Themba Gorimbo x Ramiz Brahimaj
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Themba Gorimbo defeated. Ramiz Brahimaj, UFC Fight Night 241 scores
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Khaos Williams
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Williams x Harris
Khaos Williams vs Carlston Harris
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Khaos Williams defeated. Carlston Harris, UFC Fight Night 241 scorecard
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UFC Fight Night 241 – Lerone Murphy
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UFC Fight Night 241 Edson Barboza x Lerone Murphy
Edson Barboza x Lerone Murphy
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Lerone Murphy defeated. Edson Barboza, UFC Fight Night 241 scoreboard
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