After a year-long break, Liam Nolan re-entered the arena, aiming to reignite his pursuit of the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title. Yet, in a mere 59 seconds, his journey towards championship glory was extended considerably.
At ONE Fight Night 31, Iranian fighter Abolfazl Alipourandi delivered a devastating head kick to the British star, sending him crashing to the canvas and prompting the referee to halt the lightweight Muay Thai bout in the opening round.
The London-based fighter was initially slated for a rematch against Nauzet Trujillo, his most recent conqueror, following their February 2024 clash. However, the Spanish opponent pulled out of the contest in the week leading up to the event. Alipourandi took the fight on just five days` notice. Despite Nolan`s greater experience and a three-inch height advantage, these factors ultimately proved inconsequential.
As the opening bell echoed through Bangkok`s Lumpinee Stadium, the Iranian fearlessly unleashed a barrage of wild punches, immediately forcing the 27-year-old Nolan onto the back foot. Nolan attempted to manage the distance with kicks, yet Alipourandi persistently pressed forward, closing the gap and eventually clinching with him against the ropes.
The referee reset the fighters to the center of the ring, where Nolan once more unleashed a series of powerful kicks. Alipourandi countered with relentless pressure, threatening his opponent with further punches and driving him back to the ropes.
However, as Nolan lowered his left arm to defend against a body shot, Alipourandi feigned him with a head kick that connected with his jaw and wrapped around his neck. The devastating strike rendered the Londoner unconscious, causing him to collapse against the ropes and then awkwardly onto the mat.
The referee was poised to initiate an eight-count, but upon observing the Briton`s inability to recover, he stopped the fight at the 59-second mark of the first round. This defeat extended Nolan`s professional record to 22 wins and 9 losses.
