Liam Nolan ranks among the best Muay Thai strikers from the United Kingdom.
But his decision to retire from the sport this January shocked combat sports fans. First, because he had so much potential, and second, because he is only 27, an age when most fighters reach their peak.
But he has decided to make a comeback after a few months away. The Knowlesy Academy standout now reveals the reason behind his decision to step away from the striking world.
“It wasn’t overnight. I just decided I had to focus on life. ONE is great, but after a couple of months, I spoke to my family and told them I needed to take a break from all of it for a while and get my house in order,” Nolan said.
The Brit will face Spanish star Nauzet Trujillo in a lightweight Muay Thai match at ONE Fight Night 31. The event will air live on 3 May from the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
This is the same venue where he fought his last match, against the same opponent too.
Nolan didn’t take the decision to retire lightly, but he knew in his heart that he would be back sooner rather than later.
“Even when I posted that message on social media, I knew I’d be back. It’s my game. It’s my bread and butter. Even when I was away from fighting, the fire was never out. It was always there,” the 6-foot-1 star revealed.
As Nolan said, he knew his return was imminent, but a call from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong accelerated his comeback.
“Chatri had just finished ONE 170 and still took the time to reach out and call me the next day. He just asked me what was going on and told me he believed in me,” Nolan said.
“It was a good feeling, having the boss call me like that. He told me he’d get me a fight in May and organize it personally. He was a man of his word.”
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