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“We’re going to see,” he said of his bout with Seungwoo Choi. “The outcome really determines that. If it’s a positive experience then it becomes rectification. I’m hoping it turns into that for the team and everyone watching.”

He wanted this chance a long time ago but nagging injuries from training, like a broken hand and some nerve damage kept him on the sidelines.

“It’s a really frustrating process when you’re trying to get back in and rectify a negative experience,” he said, adding he’s been grinding hard for this day.

“I’ve been all over the world. Kick boxing in Amsterdam with the Dutch, been to Tri-Star in Montreal, hammered out boxing rounds in New York City basements.

“I’ve been around the block and tested my mettle even though I’ve been inactive as far as competition goes. It will be nice to get back in there and let it mean something.”

Though Tucker absorbed a significant amount of unnecessary damage, he’s been one of the most vocal people in defending the referee from that night.

“If you’re a fighter who wants to get anywhere, you can’t blame people. Sh-t is going to happen. You’re going to get your face broke up sometimes, but at the end of the day that’s what you signed up for. You signed up for scrutiny, you signed up for questions like this. You don’t want to be reminded of it, but you have to address it and talk about it.”

He’s tired of discussing it, obviously, and hopes Saturday night will change the subject for good.

“I’m just happy the fight is here so I can get out and erase that. And just to get out and jam. I have a lot of fight pent up in me.”

If UFC 215 taught him anything, it’s that he has more heart than even he knew he had.

“If this turns into a trench war, this is something I’ve already lived and existed. I’m not afraid to go there, at all, if it’s a really dark place.”

Twitter.com/rob_tychkowski

rtychkowski@postmedia.com