Liam Nolan is set to return to ONE Championship, seeking revenge in a rematch against Nauzet Trujillo. The fight is scheduled for May 3.
The British fighter was previously on the cusp of a Muay Thai world title opportunity until Spain`s Trujillo handed him an upset defeat last year.
Now, Nolan is determined to settle the score in their upcoming second encounter.
“It will feel great to get that one back,” Nolan stated. “Because I know I can do it. I know I`ve got the ability to do it so it will feel amazing to do that.”
He reflects extensively on the first fight, watching it back and discussing it with his coaching team. “There`s definitely things I`ll do differently this time round,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of this fight for regaining momentum.
In their initial clash, Nolan was just one win away from challenging for the ONE Muay Thai lightweight world championship. Despite controlling the opening round, disaster struck. Nolan broke his right hand, and in the second round, an elbow from Trujillo caused significant damage, breaking Nolan`s nose and sending him to the canvas.
He managed to rise and continue fighting, but it wasn`t enough to swing the three-round contest in his favor, resulting in a unanimous decision loss.
“When he caught me with the elbow I was in a mess,” Nolan recounted. “My nose was broken, my hand was broken. When you break your nose if you blow out, your eye then [swells] So I couldn`t see him either. So I was trying to hit the one in the middle. It was a bit of a nightmare.”
Acknowledging the unpredictability of the sport, he added, “Anything can happen. That night it did.” Nolan is resolved to push through adversity in the rematch, stating, “If that happens to me again, I`m going to go swinging for this guy and that`s it. It`s crazy but that`s what I`ve got to do to win. I`ll do whatever it takes to win.”
To prepare for this crucial rematch, Nolan has been sparring with UFC star Ian Garry. “We`ve been doing loads of rounds together. It`s been awesome. He`s been my sparring partner for this fight,” Nolan shared.
He described their sparring sessions as “a proper chess match,” involving five-minute rounds focused on tactics like baiting, analyzing, and feinting. “Loads of little details I`m trying to put in. It`s not a usual spar,” he explained, adding, “It`s great work, I`m enjoying it.”
Championship Goal Remains
If successful in the rematch, Nolan believes he will be firmly back on the path toward a world title shot. However, he acknowledges he might have to wait for his British rival, George Jarvis, who is expected to challenge the current ONE lightweight Muay Thai world champion, Regian Eersel.
“I`m not far away,” Nolan said, adding, “I think George Jarvis now deserves to fight for the world title.”
He speculated on his future path: “Maybe after this I`ll fight someone else as well and maybe I`ll fight the winner of George and Eersel.”
Nolan acknowledges a rivalry with Jarvis, being in the same division and both British fighters. He sees it as potentially “a great fight” and believes Jarvis has the style to challenge Eersel effectively. “Eersel`s great but George has got the Muay Thai style… It`s a good fight,” he commented.
Despite the previous setback against Trujillo, Nolan`s ultimate ambition hasn`t wavered. “My goal is still to be world champion. It`s not even changed,” Nolan declared. “After losing that fight I didn`t think `I can`t do it now`. I can do it still.”
The rematch between Nolan and Trujillo is scheduled for May 3.
