Andy Ogle Looking to Capitalize on Fortunate Situation at UFC on Fuel TV 5

Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC.

Andy Ogle was perhaps the unluckiest fighter in this year’s The Ultimate Fighter Live series with the U.K. fighter not being medically cleared to fight on the finale show after suffering a knockout loss in the semifinals.

After UFC president Dana White broke the news, Ogle was quick to ask if he could compete on the UFC on Fuel TV 5 card scheduled for Nottingham, England, on Sept. 29, with White granting him his request.

“Everything happens for a reason. I feel very fortunate right now,” Ogle told MMAWeekly.com.

“Dana is a man of his word, so I knew I’d get a fight. I just felt wounded at the time though. My team was going to war without me.”

His opponent on Saturday is Swedish fighter Akira Corassani, who is also a TUF alum making his UFC debut.

“I trained for Akira like I would for any other man… as if he is Superman,” Ogle revealed.

“When the cage door closes, we could be anywhere. It won’t make any difference. I’m glad I get a fight on home soil and don’t have to travel, but if the UFC asked me to fight on the moon, I’d ask them what’s the date and who.”

With TUF The Smashes currently airing on TV in Australia and the U.K., some of Ogle’s fellow countrymen are taking part in the series. The North East based fighter described his time in the TUF Live house as “tough,” but he’d do it again.

“I watched the first episode and loved it,” Ogle said. “I’m just gutted for Michael Pastou (who tore his bicep). I feel his pain because I know how far he had to go to even get in the house in the first place.”

Although Ogle is fighting only 2-3 hours from his home in Tynemouth, the 23-year-old is treating it as any other fight week and has set up base in Nottingham.

“We came here on Tuesday like every other fighter that is coming from afar. The hard work has been done, it’s now just time to make weight and then fight.”

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