Eric Nolan has message to send at CFFC 128: 'I know I'm ready for the next level'

Marine Corps veteran says service made him battle ready, and it's time to get the UFC's attention.

Eric Nolan has turned in some incredible memorable performances in the CFFC cage, both in victory and defeat, but "Night Time" isn't interested in just being a guy that's fun to watch. Moving forward, the welterweight prospect says anything less than victory is no longer an option.

"Even through my amateur career, pro career, I'm always looking for the finish," Nolan said. "That's what the UFC wants to see. That's what they want. They don't want to see a guy 5-0 with all decision wins, just holding on. 

"I'm always going to look for that finish, and I want to get their attention. You know, I feel like I had it when I was coming up as an amateur, and I feel like that loss to Ty Miller kind of got eyes away from me, and then the first 30 seconds of the Blayne Richards fight, I break my nose and I fought hard through it. I couldn't breathe, pretty much the whole fight, but I fought through. But again, I came up short. I think it's time that I've got to not come up short."

Nolan's determination was evident in a June submission win over Omoyele Gonzalez, as was his emotion following the victory. Nolan admits the CFFC 120 result was imperative.

"I mean, I was coming off of a hard fight right before that and it didn't go my way, and that whole camp, I put a lot of work into it," Nolan said. "I just wanted to get right back out there. I didn't want to sit on a loss.

"I'm more confident in there. I feel like now all the cage experience is starting to add up. I've fought all different guys with different styles, and I feel like I've seen a lot of it already, young in my pro career. Sitting at 4-2 is not where I want to be right now, but I think it was what I needed."

Nolan (4-2) gets a chance to build on that result when he steps back in the cage at Friday's CFFC 128, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. There, "Night Time" takes on Alonzo Turner (3-0) in a key welterweight matchup.

It will be six months between appearances, but Nolan said he stayed focused on improvement in what was admittedly a necessary break from action.

"I didn't really even take any time off after that last fight," Nolan said. "I got right back in there. You know, I broke my nose in the Blayne Richards fight, and then I broke it again in the Omoyele fight, so I needed some time to actually heal, but I was still training, working a lot on my striking, my jiu-jitsu, my wrestling defense and offense. I mean, altogether, I feel like I'm a true mixed martial artist, like I'm comfortable in every position. 

"Anywhere the fight is going to go, I feel good. I'm comfortable, I'm prepared for it, and I know what to do, and even the worst positions, that's something I do in practice all the time, is I put myself in those bad positions, so if it does happen in the fight, I'm ready for it."

Turner impressed in his CFFC debut in October and now makes a quick turnaround at CFFC 128. Nolan said he respects his opponent but doesn't believe he's any better than the tough foes he's already seen in six pro CFFC appearances of his own

"I'm excited to fight him," Nolan said. "I think he's going to be another tough opponent. I don't think he's as tough as Blayne, but I'm excited. I want to push him into deep waters and see what I can bring out of him. I think it's going to be a great, exciting fight. I think our styles make for it."

It should be no surprise that Nolan seeks the toughest fights available in his matchups. After all, the Marine veteran was instilled with that mindset during his time in active service, and he's proud to still represent the Corps every time he steps in the cage.

"The Marines in a way, made me who I am," Nolan said. "In high school, I always underachieved. I didn't really reach my full potential, and being put in the position I was in, the Marine Corps really made me want to get out and do better and excel. and I know what I'm capable of and always pushing those limits. 

"The Marine Corps, you know, it puts you in a very dark and lonely place sometimes, and they kind of build you back up, but you also appreciate everything that's actually out there in the world for you to do. I think about those guys I was deployed with all the time. They all hit me up and, you know, they all support the sh-t out of me, and they think it's awesome what I'm doing, and I fight for myself, but I also fight for them. I wouldn't be where I am right now if it wasn't for the Marine Corps. so I always have to show appreciation towards them."

At 26, Nolan is hoping he'll get the show that appreciation in a UFC cage very soon. Sure, there have been a few professional setbacks following an undefeated amateur career, but Nolan believes he's now prepared to reach the goals he set for himself ahead of his pro debut, and he plans on taking another step forward at CFFC 128.

"I'm always looking for the finish," Nolan said. "You know, it's something that has been in my mind all the time, is like not falling short. I know Alonzo's going to be in there ready to give me a good fight. I'm not going to fall short this time. 

"I know I'm ready for the next level."