Rogers keen to put UFC exit behind him

SAUL Rogers insists he is firmly over the disappointment of his UFC exit as he prepares to return to the cage tonight.

He competes at the Manchester Arena when he takes on late replacement opponent Aurel Pirtea at ACB 54: Supersonic.

Rogers had been due to take on MMA veteran Pat Healy, but the American suffered an injury and was forced to pull out. It isn’t the first time that Rogers has had a string of bad luck, following his unfortunate departure from the UFC in 2015.

Visa issues prevented him from travelling to the US to compete on the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter Finale card, leading to the promotion to cut him.

The Manchester lightweight was extremely disappointed at the time, but is now focusing on life with ACB and making an impact tonight.

“At first I was gutted about the stuff with the UFC and it really got me down. There was not only that but I had a few personal problems as well, so the UFC wasn’t even top three in that list of dramas,” Rogers told M.E.N. Sport.

“I had to deal with that stuff and I was a bit inactive, but then I fought Andre Winner and took him out and now I’m ready to kick on.

“I want three or four fights this year, starting with my fight at the Manchester Arena. It’s one of the best venues in the UK so to get the chance to compete there is great.”