Dan Ige says he expected Ryan Hall to pull out; wants to ‘show off improvements’ against Gavin Tucker

Dan Ige says he expected Ryan Hall to pull out; wants to ‘show off improvements’ against Gavin Tucker
dan ige
Dan Ige

Following confirmation of the fight between Dan Ige and Gavin Tucker which will take place this week at UFC Vegas 21, the former has stated that he wanted to be on the card at all costs. This was why, according to him, he was always ready to face someone other than Ryan Hall whom he was initially supposed to face. Hall had pulled out meaning a new opponent in Tucker was chosen for Ige.

It is noteworthy that Gavin Tucker is not ranked in the featherweight division while Ige is at number 9 in the rankings. Despite the mismatch with regard to the rankings, Ige has stated that one must always be open to fight anyone and that there is always the risk of losing one’s ranking following a loss to an unranked opponent.

Dan Ige speaks on facing Gavin Tucker

YouTube video

Dan Ige spoke about how he was ready to fight a new opponent although a fight with Ryan Hall was fixed. He said, “I had a weird feeling he was going to pull out from the beginning. I don’t know why, I just had this strange feeling. It was weird, but I was already mentally preparing to face anyone, no matter who on March 13. When he did pull out, I was prepared for it and we got a new opponent in Gavin Tucker. I was ready to face anyone, but now my eyes and my mind are focused on Tucker.” [via BJPenn.com]

FS Video

Speaking further about how the fact that Gavin Tucker is unranked doesn’t matter, Ige said, “I respect the rankings and whatnot, but there are a lot of guys who will sit out because they don’t want to fight below them and that’s kind of bulls**t. I’ve always been open to fighting anyone, wins do the talking. Gavin is a tough kid, and I’m sure anyone else in the top-15 would fight Gavin because he isn’t ranked and they could lose their number. I will show why I am number nine.” [via BJPenn.com]

Ige then showed that he was upbeat and ready for the fight as he said, “I’m planning and preparing to beat him anywhere the fight goes. As much as I respect him, I can’t have that respect when we go in there to compete. When I go in there, I have to put on a show. It’s an MMA fight, I have to mix things up and I will show everything and show off my improvements.” [via BJPenn.com]

Dan Ige will be the favorite without a doubt but one can’t rule out the prospect of Gavin Tucker springing a surprise.

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