Nolan Says He's Disappointing Fellow Marines

Eric Nolan is fighting for more than a contract when he steps into the Octagon on Saturday.

The welterweight, who faces Court McGhee at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, told MMA Fighting he feels he has let down his fellow Marines by dropping both of his UFC appearances to date. Nolan served in the Marine Corps from 2015 to 2019 and started training in mixed martial arts during his enlistment, with the goal of representing the service at the highest level of the sport.

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Nolan's Mission To Represent The Marines In UFC

"When I started MMA, I always said I wanted to represent the United States Marine Corps at the highest level of the sport," Nolan said. "And it took me eight years to get here. And I finally have the opportunity to do that. And I've been disappointing them. And I know my brothers and sisters out there are rooting for me. So, now it's just time to turn it up and show the world why I'm in the UFC."

Nolan said his direct messages fill with notes from Marines after each fight and that he makes a point of responding to every one. The 8-5 fighter enlisted straight out of high school and believes his Saturday bout against the 22-14 McGhee is his chance to deliver the win his former comrades have been waiting for.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 332: Silva vs Wang on Ticketmaster →

UFC 332 takes place Saturday at Delta Center. Nolan and McGhee are expected to compete on the prelims.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — UFC fighter says he’s ‘disappointing’ fellow US Marines