“This whole entire camp has just been giving me that little added extra motivation coming home every day, especially after a hard day,” Ige said. “If I’m feeling tired, I come home and then I see my wife carrying our child. It just gives me that extra boost of energy, and especially going into this week. Actually, technically, this week, she’s full-term. It could happen any day now, any week now, so I’m just happy to be here. I’m super excited, I’m motivated, and I’m happy and I’m hoping to get a win and come back and buy my baby boy a new pair of shoes.”
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That task, while one with earnest intentions, is a tall one against Tucker. The Canadian returned from nearly two years away from the Octagon to rip off three straight wins, two via submission, and has proven himself a tough and technical matchup.
Ige was complimentary of his foe, citing his well-roundedness and noting the similarities in their size and style.
“We’re almost a mirror image of each other,” Ige said. “I’m going to go out there and just show that I can defeat him everywhere the fight goes.”