April 15th marks one of the most anticipated UFC debuts in recent memory. This Saturday, at the Sprint Center in Kansas City Tom Duquesnoy - the 14-1 (1NC) former BAMMA bantamweight and featherweight champion - will finally step into the Octagon. But according to the much-hyped 23-year-old, this debut could have happened a lot earlier.
“It’s been almost five years since now, that I’ve been in touch with the UFC,” said ‘Fire Kid’ Duquesnoy to Bloody Elbow. “They wanted to sign me at the age of 19.” But, he opted not to sign with MMA’s biggest promotion as a teen because his goal at that time was to gain experience and develop his skills on the regional circuit.