Liam Nolan is looking to stay active in 2024. After already competing in January, the British striker will return at ONE Fight Night 19 on Friday, February 16. The ONE Championship lightweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to continue to build upon his successes and claim a shot at the gold.
After battling an injury, Nolan got back to work at ONE Fight Night 18 against Ali Aliev. It was a match that helped serve as a reminder to himself of what he could accomplish. However, it took until the later parts of the matchup for him to get comfortable.
“It felt so good [to be back]. When I came into the third round, I finally felt like I could just throw and be myself. It took me to get to the third round to remember how good I can be here. When I first stepped in the ring, I was like, ‘Oh, s***, I’m about to go and do it now. It’s been a while,’” Nolan told ONE.
At ONE Fight Night 19, Nolan will square off against Nauzet Trujillo. With the quick turnaround, Nolan feels he can just pick up where he left off in his last match. Although it’s a new opponent, the Brit is treating it as if it were the same.
“I’ve dusted the cobwebs off, and I’ve got the fresh feeling in my mind. I’m going again straight away. The way I’m looking at this is that this is round four now. It’s the same fight, just the next round, and I’m going to build on what I did in the last three rounds,” the Brit stated.
The 26-year-old is laser-focused on his goal. He wants the title tilt with ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion Regian Eersel. He knows that to get that shot, he must continue to show his dominance.
The drive to plant his flag at the top of the mountain makes Nolan excited to return to the ring. It will be another chance for him to show why he is one of the top contenders in the division. ONE Fight Night 19 is his next step toward achieving his dream.
“Like I said, this is all work, you know? Why not go and work? I’ve built up, I’ve got the rounds in, I want to be building up to that World Title, and this is it. This is another important bit of building to get to where I want to go, and that’s to the top of the division,” the lightweight striker said.
For the matchup in Bangkok, Nolan expects Trujillo to bring the action to him. But he is not as concerned with the technical aspects of his game. The Knowlesy Academy star thinks he has a decided edge with his overall abilities that will allow him to shine inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
“He’s game. He’s very game. He’s not technically as good as Aliev, who I just fought, but he wants to exchange. I like that about him, but with my stature and my abilities, I think that will be his downfall, man,” Nolan said.
Following his long layoff, Nolan anticipates he will be able to score a knockout to ignite the crowd on February 16. After his triumphant return, nothing short of a finish will suffice for the British talent. Nolan is putting Trujillo, the fans, and even Eersel himself on notice that he is ready to ascend to the top and take the crown.
“I think I’m gonna knock this guy out, man. At some point in the fight, I have to. The dust was shaken off last time. But I’m settling for nothing less than a finish here,” Nolan said.
ONE Fight Night 19 goes down from Bangkok on Friday, February 16. The action gets underway at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. The event is free for all Amazon Prime members based in the U.S. and Canada.
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