SALT LAKE CITY — Eric Nolan spoiled Court McGee's retirement party at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City on Saturday, stopping the veteran welterweight by TKO at 3:26 of Round 3 for his first UFC victory. The bout was McGee's 37th overall and 25th under the UFC banner, closing the career of The Ultimate Fighter 11 winner from 2010 who owns a win over Robert Whittaker and has shared the cage with Santiago Ponzinibbio, Sean Strickland, Sean Brady, Matt Brown, Carlos Condit and Tim Means.
Nolan entered 0-2 in the UFC and looking to finally have his hand raised. McGee pressed forward early seeking a takedown and forcing the fight to the fence, but Nolan stayed upright and circled away before finding success with boxing combinations and jabs to the body. With five seconds left in the opening round McGee landed a solid elbow over the top after separating, only to be sat down by an elbow from Nolan at the bell in a close frame.
McGee recovered well and opened Nolan's nose with a jab early in the second as Nolan began to walk downhill and the two traded big shots in close. McGee used his jab to keep Nolan off him but was retreating and looked labored in another close round that left the fight up for grabs entering the final five minutes. Nolan jumped out early in the third behind a left hook that landed multiple times, stuffed McGee's takedown attempt along the fence, then worked to the center and landed a massive overhand right that rocked McGee.
Retreating to the fence in survival mode, McGee absorbed multiple elbows against the cage before another right hand from Nolan put him down and stopped the fight. Official Result: Eric Nolan def. Court McGee by TKO, Round 3, 3:26. Nolan showed respect afterward, saying he would be happy to have a career in the UFC half as long as McGee's. Joe Rogan met with McGee in the cage as he embraced his hometown crowd and thanked family and friends, saying, "Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t achieve your dreams," before the UFC 332 broadcast aired a tribute featuring his TUF 11 win and charity work.