Dylan Tuke Explains Decision to Fight at PFL Europe Despite Mother’s Recent Death

Despite his mother’s recent death, Dylan Tuke isn’t pulling out of the upcoming PFL Europe 2 card.

Tuke (7-4) is scheduled to co-headline PFL Europe 2 against Kane Mousah (14-6) on June 8 at the Utilitia Arena in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England. The Irish prospect was struck by tragedy weeks prior as his mother passed away.

However, “The Nuke” refused to pull out of his upcoming fight and recently explained his decision. According to Tuke, his mother, who introduced him to mixed martial arts, would have probably slapped him if he didn’t give his opponent the fight he promised and definitely wouldn’t have wanted him to miss the opportunity of fighting on such a big stage.

“So, my mother was a flowing [jiu-jitsu] woman herself. She was a black belt in her own right. And we promised Kane Mousah a knock and in three weeks me and him are gonna have a knock,” Tuke said during the PFL Europe 2 media day.

“So, she’d probably have slapped me more if I'd given up on me promise and not been a man of me words. So, she would've wanted me to fight. She would've wanted me to compete. The only reason I compete is because of her.

“She got me into martial arts. And it's a big spotlight for me, you know what I mean? So, I'll have her there... She would've wanted it. So, this is where I'm in it. I didn't even think about pulling out. There was never a thought in me mind. And there would've been an insult theret o coach, James, they all done put some work into me every day, but you know what I mean, so yeah, we will have a fight.”

Mousah also finds it commendable for the Irishman to go through with the fight despite the tragedy. “I said before I started this interview, I just want to give my condolences to my opponent, and I was wanting to show him the respect for being a solid member and going through with the fight.,” Mousah said. “Because for me personally I don't know where my head would be at. I don't know if I'd have the strength to do it but to see you here right now ready to get in there and do the business, I have to respect that I sort of commend you for that.”

Tuke is coming off a slick submission win over Yazid Chouchane in December 2023 and is now sporting a 2-1 record under the PFL banner. Meanwhile, Mousah is on a two-fight slump with his last win dating back to September 2022, a unanimous decision over Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 285.

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