After a year-long hiatus from competition, Liam Nolan stepped back into the ring with aspirations of rekindling his pursuit of the ONE lightweight Muay Thai world title. However, his path to championship glory was abruptly extended, as his comeback bout concluded in a mere 59 seconds.
At ONE Fight Night 31, Iranian contender Abolfazl Alipourandi delivered a powerful head kick that floored the British fighter, compelling the referee to halt the lightweight Muay Thai contest in the opening round.
Nolan, a London native, was initially set for a rematch against Nauzet Trujillo, the fighter who last defeated him in February 2024. Yet, Trujillo pulled out of the bout just days before the event. Alipourandi stepped in as a short-notice replacement, taking the fight on just five days` notice. Despite Nolan possessing greater experience and a three-inch height advantage, these factors ultimately proved inconsequential.
From the opening bell inside Bangkok`s iconic Lumpinee Stadium, the Iranian fighter aggressively pressed forward with a barrage of wild punches, instantly putting the 27-year-old Nolan on the back foot. Nolan attempted to establish distance with his kicks, but Alipourandi persisted in his forward assault, closing the gap and eventually clinching with him against the ropes.
The referee separated the fighters and reset them in the center of the ring. Nolan once more unleashed a series of powerful kicks, but Alipourandi maintained his aggressive pressure, threatening with punches and driving his opponent back towards the ropes.
However, a pivotal moment arrived when Nolan lowered his left arm to defend against a perceived body shot. Alipourandi capitalized, delivering a deceptive head kick that connected squarely with Nolan`s jaw and neck. The forceful strike rendered the Londoner unconscious, causing him to collapse first against the ropes and then awkwardly onto the canvas.
The referee began to initiate an eight-count, but upon observing the British fighter`s inability to recover, he promptly waved off the bout at the 59-second mark of the first round. This defeat brings Nolan`s professional record to 22-9.
