After a bonus-winning submission victory in May at UFC Fight Night 66, UFC lightweight Jon Tuck accepted his next bout for September’s UFC Fight Night 75 in Japan.
Unfortunately, there were other plans in store. Doctors discovered a torn labrum that would put Tuck (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) in surgery rather than the promotion’s octagon.
Tuck hoped to rebuild his momentum with an appearance at this past Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 79 in Seoul, but he remains unbooked.
“I thought I’d be lucky enough to make it for this card, but I’m here now,” he told MMAjunkie. “It was one of my goals to fight in Japan and as well as in Seoul. It didn’t work out that way, but I’m just blessed to be here, and I’m looking forward to an even greater 2016.”
Tuck, a native of Guam, only can improve on his luck in 2015, which saw him fight only once following a decision loss to Kevin Lee at UFC 178 this past September. The 31-year-old fighter said his shoulder is healed and he’s ready to go.
Convincing the brass that’s the case is Tuck’s next move.
“February or March, roughly,” he said of his ideal return. “I wish I could go sooner, but we have to be smart. If we got an Asian card in February or March, sign me up.”
Check out the rest of the interview to get Tuck’s injury story, his comeback plans and what it’s like to get a $50,000 check in the mail.
For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
