Court McGee's retirement starts with a loss: Eric Nolan stops him in round 3 at UFC 332
Court McGee’s retirement did not get the ending he hoped for. On Saturday in Salt Lake City, in the final fight of his career, the TUF 11 winner was stopped by Eric Nolan by TKO at 3:26 of round 3 at UFC 332. In front of his Utah crowd, the 41-year-old then took the microphone for a last message. Nolan earns his 1st UFC win.
Key takeaways
- Eric Nolan beats Court McGee by TKO at 3:26 of round 3 at UFC 332, with a right hand followed by elbows against the cage.
- McGee, 41, ends his career at 22-15, after 16 years in the UFC since winning The Ultimate Fighter 11.
- Nolan, a former Marine, earns his 1st UFC win after 2 losses.
Court McGee's retirement, a final fight lost
2 close rounds
McGee looked for takedowns from round 1 while Nolan worked the jab and the body. In round 2, a McGee jab opened Nolan’s nose, but the veteran started to back up.
The right hand that changed everything
In round 3, Nolan started by landing several left hooks, then stuffed a takedown attempt. A big overhand right rocked McGee, elbows against the cage followed, and a final right hand ended the fight.
Stopped at 3:26
The referee stopped the fight at 3:26 of round 3. It goes down as a TKO win for Nolan.
Court McGee's goodbye in Salt Lake City
A message to the crowd
After the fight, McGee embraced the Salt Lake City crowd, thanked his family and friends, then told Joe Rogan that nobody should be told they cannot achieve their dreams.
16 years in the UFC
The UFC aired a tribute recalling his win on The Ultimate Fighter 11 in 2010 and his prevention work. McGee, declared clinically dead after an overdose in 2005, has been sober since 2006.
The reactions
Journalist Ariel Helwani called him an inspiration. Aaron Bronsteter noted that he is coming up on 7,500 days sober.
Don't let anybody tell you you can't achieve your dreams.
Eric Nolan, a 1st UFC win
Off the mark
Nolan, 29, a former Marine, had lost his 2 previous UFC fights. He moves to 9-5 in his career.
Respect for the veteran
After his win, he said he would be happy with a UFC career 50% as long as McGee’s.
Follow what comes next
All the UFC 332 results and our weekly welterweight rating are in the FightHub app, updated as soon as the night ends.
- Court McGee says goodbye to the UFC at home in Utah against Eric Nolan at UFC 332
- UFC bonuses explained: how the $100,000 awards and the $25,000 finish bonus work in 2026
- UFC returns to Doha on November 21, a year after selling out its Qatar debut
- Noche UFC results: Moreno snaps his skid, McMillen survives a war and Blaydes outpoints Cortes-Acosta
