UFC fighter says he’s ‘disappointing’ fellow US Marines

Eric Nolan, a former U.S. Marine, is seeking redemption in the UFC after dropping both of his Octagon bouts so far. The welterweight (8-5) faces Court McGhee (22-14) at UFC 332 on October 3 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, and Nolan views the matchup as an opportunity to finally deliver for his brothers and sisters in the Marine Corps.

Nolan enlisted straight out of high school in 2015 and served until 2019, during which time he began training in mixed martial arts. His long-standing goal has been to represent the U.S. Marine Corps at the highest level of professional MMA, a dream he realized only after eight years of work.

"When I started MMA, I always said I wanted to represent the United States Marine Corps at the highest level of the sport," Nolan told MMA Fighting. "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 revealed that his direct messages are flooded with support from Marines before and after each fight, and he makes a point of responding to every message to keep them motivated. His upcoming bout against McGhee carries personal significance beyond the usual UFC points and rankings; for Nolan, earning his first Octagon victory has become a matter of honoring the sacrifice and service of those who trained alongside him in the military.