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Tuco Tokkos appreciates first UFC win more because he had to earn it in Nashville

Tuco Tokkos appreciates first UFC win more because he had to earn it in Nashville

USA Today16-07-2025
"He made me earn it and I'm actually grateful for that."Tuco Tokkos talks about the emotions behind picking up his first win inside the Octagon at #UFCNashvilleMain Card Results ➡️ https://t.co/BTIgQYJGqo
Tuco Tokkos met the media Saturday after his second-round submission win over Junior Tafa at UFC on ESPN 70.
Tokkos (11-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) submitted Tafa (6-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday for his first win in the promotion. The U.K.-based light heavyweight said the fact he had to go through some adversity to get it means he'll appreciate it more later.
"That's what I wanted. Obviously, we all want to finish quickly. But he made me earn it, and I'm actually grateful for that," Tokkos told UFC.com after the fight. "I had to go out there and prove it to myself. It was hard to come by, but I got it in the end. I'm proud of myself."
Tokkos said he wants to fight on a card in the U.K. – and hopes now that the UFC officially has a British champion in heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall, maybe he can make his way onto an event back home.
Check out Tokkos' post-fight interview in the video below.
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