Sydney, Australia — Tom Nolan is getting what he sees as his first true test in the UFC when “Slava Claus” comes to town for UFC 312 in Sydney.
Australia’s Nolan (8-1) has been paired up with Viacheslav Borshchev at the event in Nolan’s backyard, and he’s quite happy with the match-up.
“I think it’s a good fight. This feels like my first real test in the UFC, so I’m excited. I love that, I love the idea of being the underdog,” Nolan explained during Wednesday’s UFC 312 media day, with Cageside Press on hand. “That excites me.”
While it’s an exciting match-up with a quality opponent, Nolan isn’t too concerned with where Borschev trains — that would be the famed Team Alpha Male, led by Urijah Faber — or who he trains under.
“I think the coaches thing isn’t a big deal,” stated Nolan. “I think we’re at the point now in the world where there’s a lot of good coaches everywhere. So that doesn’t really faze me too much. It’s more, the preparation for him has been awesome. It’s been exciting.”
Tom Nolan has said in the past that fighting with an event full of fans wasn’t all that different from a UFC Apex card. And that’s the case once again as he enters UFC 312.
“It feels even more relaxed. I’m getting more comfortable with it, so it feels even more like an Apex event if that makes sense. I’m more relaxed, more calm, I’m used to it, I know what to expect.”
Watch the full UFC 312 media day appearance by Tom Nolan above.
