Brisbane’s Tom Nolan has earned a UFC contract with a first round KO victory over Bogdan Grad on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Nolan KO’d his opponent in under two minutes, dropping Grad with a left hook, before jumping on the Austrian fighter, securing the finish.
Nolan’s record is now a perfect 6-0, with this being his fourth KO/TKO stoppage.
In the lead up to this fight, Grad had been harassing Nolan online, commenting on the Aussie’s social media and messaging him directly. After the fight, Nolan said that the bad blood leading into the fight made his victory feel even better.
‘It felt awesome and to do it to an opponent who’s been trash talking me for weeks, it felt even better’ Nolan said.
‘When I was younger I delt with some bullying, I sorta didn’t stand up for myself. Now that’s not the case. If someone wants to do that stuff to me, this is what happens. Everyone who talks trash to me, gets finished brutally.’
Nolan’s win was the first and only finish of the night, all other bouts going to decision.
When announcing Nolan’s signing, UFC president Dana White was complimentary of the Aussie, saying, ‘I shouldn’t even have to say anything… the only thing I have to say about this kid is, you have a bright future Tom Nolan’
After Nolan received his contract, he laid out his plans for his future in the UFC.
‘I’m going to keep knocking people out.’
