LAS VEGAS – Nikolas Motta said he would make Tom Nolan pay for talking a big game prior to UFC Fight Night 234, and he did just that.
Motta (14-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) dished a slice of humility to the 23-year-old prospect Nolan (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) when he stood toe-to-toe and exchanged strikes in a furious start to the lightweight bout at the UFC Apex.
Both men landed well, but it was a stinging left hand followed by a right that floored Nolan early on. Motta, 30, swarmed him on the mat and forced the stoppage just 63 seconds after the bout began.