Gavin Tucker

Gavin Tucker
Born	Gavin Scott Tucker [1] (1986-06-17) June 17, 1986 (age 38) St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Nickname	Guv'Nor
Residence	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
Division	Featherweight
Reach	66 in (168 cm)
Fighting out of	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Team	Titans MMA 2010–2021 Tower One 2021- [2]
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie [3] [4]
Years active	2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	16
Wins	13
By knockout	4
By submission	6
By decision	3
Losses	3
By knockout	1
By submission	1
By decision	1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Gavin Scott Tucker ^[1] (born June 17, 1986) is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist. Tucker currently competes in the featherweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He had previously won the Extreme Cage Combat promotion championship in the featherweight category. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

Background

Tucker was born in St. Anthony, NL, and raised in Ship Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, on June 17, 1986. He started practicing traditional martial arts like taekwondo and judo in his teens, before leaving for Nova Scotia to study. ^[8] He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University after studying jazz, music industry and performance. ^{[8] [3]} After stationing permanently in Halifax, he got interested in martial arts and found a gym to train at. ^[2] Tucker began competing in mixed martial arts in 2009. ^[7] He competed on the regional scene, almost exclusively in the Maritimes of Canada.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Tucker was the reigning Extreme Cage Combat Featherweight Champion when he was signed to the UFC in early 2017. ^[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Tucker made his promotional debut on February 19, 2017 against Sam Sicilia at UFC Fight Night 105. ^[10] Tucker won the fight via unanimous decision. ^[11]

Tucker faced Ricky Glenn on September 9, 2017 at UFC 215. ^[12] Tucker suffered his first professional loss in this fight by unanimous decision. ^[13] The referee was criticized by many observers, who felt that the fight should have been stopped earlier, as Tucker was clearly exhausted and had absorbed 142 significant strikes. UFC president Dana White tweeted, "This ref SUCKS" during the fight and tweeted after the fight, "Look at the poor kid's face!!! The ref needs his ass whooped!!!!" Other commentators blamed Tucker's corner for not throwing in the towel to stop the fight. ^[14] Despite Tucker suffering 4 broken bones in his face as a result of the fight, he defended the referee's, Kyle Cardinal, ^[15] decision on his Facebook.

In victory say little. In defeat ....less.

ill keep it short and sweet. i lost on Saturday. stop blaming the ref for a bad call. that man let me go out on my shield. he visited while i was in the hospital and apologized. was him and i in that cage. I didnt stop fighting. he saw that. he should sleep easy.

I have four broken bones in my face. the first which started on the jaw in rd 1 and the fight went down for me from there. i have 2 fractured orbital and another vertical fracture in the jaw according to the x ray/CT scan. the heartbreak of losing hurts much worse. throughout the day i wiped a lot [sic] of blood off my cheek and i can't say for sure there weren't some tears in there. I fought w blurred vision and 3 different Rick Glenns kicked the fuck out of me for the last two rds. (i tried to hit the one in the middle) congrats to my opponent. i hope you go far because i plan on seeing you again. I fought my heart out. I'm a rare breed of straight savage and i don't need social media to tell me that. however...i am appreciative of all the support i received on here. which is why I'm writing this. I have no excuses and won't stand for anyone making them for me. that's not how the north folk get it done. ^[16]

Tucker was expected to face Andre Soukhamthath in a bantamweight bout on October 27, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 138. ^[17] However, Tucker pulled out of the fight in early October, citing an undisclosed injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Jonathan Martinez. ^[18]

Tucker faced Seung Woo Choi on July 27, 2019 at UFC 240. ^[19] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three. ^[20]

Tucker was scheduled to face Billy Quarantillo on April 25, 2020. ^[21] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date. ^[22]

Tucker faced Justin Jaynes on August 8, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 174. ^[23] Tucker won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three. ^[24] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. ^[25]

Tucker faced Billy Quarantillo on December 12, 2020 at UFC 256. ^[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision. ^[27]

Tucker was briefly linked to a bout against Cub Swanson on May 1, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 23. ^[28] However, Tucker was tabbed as a short notice replacement to face Dan Ige on March 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad instead. ^[29] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. ^[30]

Tucker was scheduled to face Pat Sabatini on November 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 198. ^[31] However, Tucker had to pull out of the bout in late October, ^[32] and the pair was rescheduled on April 9, 2022 at UFC 273. ^[33] However, Tucker pulled out due to unknown reasons. ^[34]

Tucker faced Diego Lopes at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font on August 5, 2023. ^[35] He lost the bout via an armbar submission in the first round. ^[36]

Tucker was scheduled to face Jack Jenkins on August 17, 2024 at UFC 305. ^[37] However, Tucker withdrew from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Herbert Burns. ^[38]

Championships and accomplishments

Professional titles

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the Night (One time) vs Justin Jaynes ^[25]
• Extreme Combat Championship
  • ECC Featherweight Championship (One time)
    • One successful title defense

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

16 matches	13 wins	3 losses
By knockout	4	1
By submission	6	1
By decision	3	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	13–3	Diego Lopes	Submission (armbar)	UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font	August 5, 2023	1	1:38	Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss	13–2	Dan Ige	KO (punch)	UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad	March 13, 2021	1	0:22	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	13–1	Billy Quarantillo	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 256	December 12, 2020	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	12–1	Justin Jaynes	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik	August 8, 2020	3	1:43	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Performance of the Night.
Win	11–1	Choi Seung-woo	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC 240	July 27, 2019	3	3:17	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Loss	10–1	Ricky Glenn	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 215	September 9, 2017	3	5:00	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win	10–0	Sam Sicilia	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne	February 19, 2017	3	5:00	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	9–0	Chris Coggins	KO (head kick)	ECC 25	July 23, 2016	1	0:37	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada	Defended the ECC Featherweight Championship.
Win	8–0	David Harris	TKO (punches)	ECC 22	March 14, 2015	2	2:02	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada	Won the vacant ECC Featherweight Championship.
Win	7–0	Lyndon Whitlock	Submission (rear-naked choke)	ECC 15	February 16, 2013	3	3:09	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada	Catchweight (146.2 lb) bout; Tucker missed weight.
Win	6–0	Robert Rende	TKO (punches)	ECC 14	April 27, 2012	3	2:27	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada	Return to Featherweight.
Win	5–0	Jeremy Henry	Submission (rear-naked choke)	ECC 13	January 27, 2012	1	5:00	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada	Lightweight bout.
Win	4–0	Christopher Corporon	Submission (armbar)	Elite 1: Wild Card 2	October 15, 2011	1	1:35	Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Win	3–0	David Spence	Submission (armbar)	ECFP: Resurgence	May 27, 2011	1	3:09	Trenton, Nova Scotia, Canada	Featherweight bout.
Win	2–0	Michael Waugh	TKO (punches)	ECC 12: Rage	April 16, 2011	1	3:02	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	1–0	Ryan Connor	Decision (unanimous)	ECC 11: Redemption	February 19, 2011	3	5:00	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

^[39]

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of Canadian UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. Mixed martial arts show results Date: August 8, 2020
2. Neil Davidson (February 16, 2017). "Long road leads Gavin Tucker from playing music to mixed martial arts". lethbridgenewsnow.com.
3. "Gavin Tucker | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
4. Aaron Van Tassel BJJ (May 19, 2019). Renzo Gracie Gives UFC Fighter Gavin Tucker Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – via YouTube.
5. "Newfoundland's Gavin Tucker wins UFC debut in Halifax, as Mom leaves the Rock for the 1st time". CBC News. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
6. "Gavin Tucker shines in UFC debut, brutal knockout ends Fight Night card in Halifax". Metro News. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
7. "Halifax's Tucker 'buzzed' about UFC debut". The Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
8. Jonathan Briggins (March 3, 2016). "Gavin Tucker is hungry for a fight". The Coast .
9. Fernando Quiles Jr. (2017-01-22). "UFC signs Canadian featherweight prospect Gavin Tucker". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
10. Jonathan Briggins (2017-01-29). "'Ramped up the intensity:' Hometown favourite Gavin Tucker gearing up for UFC debut in Halifax". metronews.ca. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
11. Steven Marrocco (2017-02-19). "UFC Fight Night 105 results: Gavin Tucker runs circles around Sam Sicilia for easy UFC debut win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
12. Dan Hiergesell (2017-05-27). "Gavin Tucker vs. Rick Glenn first fight added to UFC 215 on Sept. 9 from Edmonton". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
13. "UFC 215 results: Rick Glenn overwhelms Gavin Tucker, who earns no mercy from referee". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-10. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
14. Russell, Ess. "Despite many being upset with ref in Gavin Tucker vs Rick Glenn bout, Tucker says 'stop blaming the ref'". BJ Penn.com. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
15. "Gavin Tucker". Tapology. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
16. "Tucker: Ref 'should sleep easy' after UFC 215". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
17. Marcel Dorff (2018-08-07). "Andre Soukhamthath meets Gavin Tucker during UFC Moncton" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
18. Marcel Dorff (2018-10-10). "Jonathan Martinez replaces Gavin Tucker against Andre Soukhamthath during UFC Moncton" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
19. Marcel Dorff (2019-06-04). "Gavin Tucker meets Seung Woo Choi during UFC 240 in Edmonton" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
20. Fortune, Ryan (2019-07-27). "UFC 240 Results: Gavin Tucker Submits Seung Woo Choi Late in the Third Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
21. "Billy Quarantillo vs. Gavin Tucker added to UFC on ESPN+ 31". MMA Junkie. 2020-03-05. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
22. Brett Okamoto (2020-04-09). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
23. Marcel Dorff (2020-07-19). "Justin Jaynes vs. Gavin Tucker added to UFC event on August 8". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-07-21.(in Dutch)
24. Doherty, Dan (2020-08-08). "UFC Vegas 6 Results: Gavin Tucker Batters, Submits Justin Jaynes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
25. Ryan Galloway (2020-08-09). "UFC Fight Night: Lewis Vs. Oleinik Bonuses". lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
26. Nolan King (2020-10-28). "Billy Quarantillo and Gavin Tucker get their wishes, booked to fight at UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
27. Anderson, Jay (2020-12-12). "UFC 256 Results: Gavin Tucker Puts On Impressive Technical Display Against Billy Quarantillo". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
28. Boussenaf, Jamal (2021-02-04). "BREAKING: Cub Swanson treft Gavin Tucker op 1 mei". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-07-24.
29. Nolan King (2021-02-22). "With Ryan Hall out, Gavin Tucker steps in to fight Dan Ige at UFC Fight Night 187". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
30. Doherty, Dan (2021-03-13). "UFC Vegas 21 Results: Dan Ige Silences Gavin Tucker in 20 Seconds". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
31. Dorff, Marcel (2021-09-23). "Pat Sabatini treft Gavin Tucker tijdens UFC evenement op 20 november". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-07-24.
32. Dorff, Marcel (2021-10-29). "Gavin Tucker out, Tucker Lutz in tegen Pat Sabatini op 20 november in Las Vegas". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-07-24.
33. SportZ. "Pat Sabatini vs. Gavin Tucker booked for April 9" . Retrieved 2022-01-18.
34. Anderson, Jay (2022-03-22). "UFC: TJ Laramie Replaces Fellow Canuck Tucker, Faces Pat Sabatini on April 16". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
35. Manjit Sarmah (June 22, 2023). "Breaking: Featherweight banger added to UFC Nashville card in August". sportskeeda.com.
36. Law, Eddie (2023-08-05). "Full Camp Diego Lopes Submits Gavin Tucker In First Round, Earns First UFC Victory". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
37. Christopher Reive (2024-07-01). "UFC 305: Kai Kara-France books return against Steve Erceg in Perth; seven more bouts confirmed". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
38. Mitchell Tinley (2024-07-19). "Jack Jenkins Returns to UFC 305, Set to Face Herbert Burns After Elbow Injury". australianmma.com.au. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
39. Sherdog.com. "Gavin". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-03-14.

External links

• Gavin Tucker at UFC
• Professional MMA record for Gavin Tucker from Sherdog