Eric Nolan enters CFFC 142 title fight as a Marine on a mission: 'I've got to get back what he took from me'

Nolan gets his long-awaited rematch with Blayne Richards, not to mention a shot at gold, at Saturday's event in Atlantic City.

Eric Nolan credits his time serving in the Marines for giving his life direction. Now, as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career, "Night Time" believes it's imperative he tap into the mindset he learned on active duty more than ever.

"I'm the Marine," Nolan said. "I've got to fight like a Marine in there. I have a lot of people that I served with or that are serving now that look at me, and I inspire them maybe a little bit, and I've got to go out there and show out."

Nolan has certainly been showing out as of late. Three straight wins, including two by highlight-reel knockouts, have earned him a shot at the CFFC welterweight title. With all 10 of his professional contests to date taking place under the CFFC banner, it's an opportunity he has truly earned.

"It's all I've been waiting to receive from CFFC," Nolan said. "I've been with them since I started my pro career, so yeah, I am blessed to have the opportunity to fight for the belt."

But that's not the only intriguing aspect of the fight for Nolan (7-3 MMA, 7-3 CFFC). It also just so happens that he and the champion, Blayne Richards (9-2 MMA, 3-0 CFFC), have history.

The two had an incredible encounter in 2023, which saw Nolan badly damaged early, leaking blood, but refusing to quit and battling back to wobble Richards a time or two, as well. Ultimately though, Richards was able to sneak an arm under the neck and force a tap in the second round. A frustrated Nolan has been calling for a rematch ever since.

"I fought him when I was young," Nolan said. "I fought him when I was 3-1, not a lot of pro experience. He was older, more experienced than me. I made one mistake. He took advantage of it and got out of there with a win.

"All I could do is learn from it. I'm a more experienced fighter now. I'm not a kid in this game anymore. I'm experienced. I'm battle tested. I know I can go in there and hang with the best of 'em, I've been asking for this rematch, and I'm excited for it."

The two now meet in the co-main event of Saturday's CFFC 142 event, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The event concludes a spectacular weekend of back-to-back events at the property that also includes Friday's FURY Professional Grappling 13.

Add in the backdrop of Memorial Day Weekend to the card, and the setting just gets even sweeter for Nolan.

"It's crazy how our paths are crossing again, and it's Memorial Day Weekend," Nolan said. "Being a Marine and all, we couldn't have it any better. The stage is just set. It's my opportunity. It's my time to win that belt, take something back that he took from me.

"I respect him as a fighter, but I've got to get back what he took from me."

The stakes of the CFFC 142 clash couldn't be higher. The first fight between the two was an epic, back-and-forth affair, and with the two only getting better the past two years, there doesn't seem to be any reason it shouldn't be incredible once again.

Nolan just wants the final result to be a little different.

"I've had my fair share of those split decisions and everything, Blayne's the first guy that actually finished me," Nolan said. "It's something that fueled my fire, this camp especially. The split-decision losses, I could look back and be like, 'Damn, it sucks,' but I'm the one that finishes people, and being finished didn't sit well with me. That's why I wanted the rematch for the longest time.

"It was a great fight. We have history. You won the battle, but this is the end of the war, right here. May 24th."