LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 18: (Right) Tom Nolan of Australia defeats Victor Martinez in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. kick (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Lightweight Tom Nolan takes on Victor Martinez at UFC Vegas 92, with the two Contender Series veterans looking for their first UFC victory.
Australia’s Nolan impressed on Dana White’s Contender Series, rising from the bottom and improving to 6-0 as a professional with a devastating first-round knockout. However, the tables turned as the giant Australian was quickly put to sleep in his UFC debut. Martinez won the DWCS contract by decision, but was also sent off in his debut match.
The Fighters started by exchanging kicks, with Nolan advancing. Martinez came into the fight and tried to counter, but was usually unable to evade Nolan’s reach. Suddenly the fight changed when Nolan was dropped. But he couldn’t get out of there. Tom got back up and fought back, hitting Martinez with a knee to the sternum, causing Victor to fall into the fetal position. A few more ground strikes finished the job for the Australian, earning him a TKO victory in an impressive comeback.
Tom Nolan, who is currently 6-1 and suffered his first loss to a strong opponent in Nicolas Motta, will have some leeway going forward. But that’s not the case with Martinez. “The Brick” is currently 0-2 inside the Octagon and is in a must-win situation.
Official result: Tom Nolan def. Victor Martinez TKO (knee to body/punch), round 1, 3:50
