Watching Gavin Tucker fights, it’s easy to see the talent and potential the 31-year-old featherweight possesses. In his UFC debut in February, the unbeaten newcomer showed no sign of nerves or hesitation as he expertly carved up veteran Sam Sicilia en route to winning a unanimous decision.
But as great as he looks on tape, it’s when you speak to Tucker that you really start to understand that the promising fighter from St. Anthony, Newfoundland, has the makeup to potentially be something special.
There is an intensity and focus to the way he speaks, his answers coming out arrow-straight and on point just like his jab. He doesn’t mince words and isn’t worried about “saying the right thing” or providing quotes that could make for a good headline. He is transfixed on becoming the best martial artist he can possible become, eschewing just about everything else in favour of putting every last drop of energy he has into chasing his dreams and making the most of the opportunity before him.
“I celebrated with a training trip to Thailand; I spent a month there training,” he said when asked whether there were nights of celebration and revelry following his February triumph over Sicilia in Halifax. “I certainly didn’t go to George Street — I wasn’t slamming shots and beers and stuff like this.
UFC 215: Focused featherweight Gavin Tucker has serious potential
