Eric Nolan Seeks First UFC Win for Marines at UFC 332

Eric Nolan says he wants to stop "disappointing" his fellow United States Marines when he fights Court McGee at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City.

Nolan, a welterweight who owns an 8-5 professional record, is 0-2 inside the Octagon and has carried the weight of that skid personally. He served in the Marine Corps from 2015 to 2019 after enlisting straight out of high school, and getting to the UFC while representing the Corps has been the goal since he first stepped into a gym.

"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."

Why Eric Nolan Feels He's Let the Marines Down

Nolan has not hidden how personally he takes his 0-2 UFC start. He said his direct messages fill up with notes from fellow Marines after every one of his fights, win or lose, and that he makes a point of answering all of them because of what he knows they go through day to day. That sense of obligation is part of why Saturday carries extra stakes for him beyond his own record. A win over Court McGee would be his first UFC victory and, in his own framing, the first time he delivers for the people who have been rooting for him since he left the service.

McGee enters as a veteran of the promotion with a 22-14 record and sits at No. 36 in the UFC welterweight rankings, giving Nolan a credible measuring stick if he can finally break through.

Betting Angle

The oddsmakers see this as Nolan's fight to lose. Sportsbooks have installed him as a solid favorite over McGee, with lines in the range of roughly -235 to -250 for Nolan against McGee sitting near +195 to +205. That price reflects age and durability concerns around McGee as much as it does confidence in Nolan, who is physically live for this weight class but has yet to find the finish in the UFC. For bettors, the number suggests the market expects Nolan's tools to translate this time, but anyone laying that kind of price is betting on a fighter who still needs to prove he can close the show at this level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Eric Nolan fighting at UFC 332?

Eric Nolan faces Court McGee in a welterweight bout at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City.

What is Eric Nolan's UFC record?

Eric Nolan is 8-5 overall as a professional and is 0-2 inside the UFC heading into his fight with Court McGee at UFC 332.

What are the odds for Eric Nolan vs. Court McGee?

Sportsbooks have listed Eric Nolan as a sizable favorite over Court McGee, with lines around -235 to -250 for Nolan and roughly +195 to +205 for McGee heading into UFC 332.