Gavin Tucker came into UFC Halifax tonight as an undefeated debutante facing a grizzled veteran who was fighting for his UFC career.
Knowing how desperate his opponent, Sam Sicilia, was to win, maybe Tucker got a bit nervous? Maybe he would play it safe? Maybe I’m wrong! I’ll be honest, I’m at a little bit of a loss for words after that performance.
Not only was it his debut, not only was he fighting a desperate fighter willing to do almost anything to save his career, and not only was it in his adopted home town, but it was on a main card. At first, I thought I was speechless because of the way he handled the pressure of the occasion, then I realised it was much more than that.
Tucker showed a massive amount of skill; massive! I will say it right now, there’s a possibility that Tucker’s debut performance was my favourite ever from a debuting fighter. He completely outclassed Sicilia throughout three rounds, and employed a quite unusual fighting style. It just seemed like a mix of Dominick Cruz, Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw with an extra little edge on.
It weren’t a case of just copying the fighting style of the best guys in the division; Tucker executed the game plan so well, and also added his own edge to it. He was quick, sharp, flamboyant, and all around dominant.
I don’t know about you, but I’m going to be glued to the television when Gavin Tucker next steps foot inside the UFC octagon.
