It’s been a long time coming for Spencer Rohovie.

On Saturday night, Rohovie (12-9) will make his return to the cage in his hometown after more than two years away to take on Jeremy Henry (5-7) in a lightweight bout at Rumble in the Cage 60.

Rohovie, 31, said he’s been dying to fight these past two years, but wasn’t able to commit the time required to put in a proper training camp due to personal reasons.

“I’m finally clear-headed and I can devote my time to the gym, and commit to being there six days a week,” said Rohovie in an interview.

“I’ve always been wanting to fight, but I’m ready now.”

And what better place for Rohovie to make his return to the cage than his hometown, a place he hasn’t had the pleasure of fighting in over four years.

Rohovie said although he doesn’t mind being the road villain from time to time, he said it’s going to be nice to have so much support behind him in the stands.

“It’s amazing. Lethbridge is such an awesome fight community,” said Rohovie.

“The atmosphere with all your friends and family is awesome. It just gives you that little extra boost of support.”

Rohovie isn’t taking his return to action slowly, as he’s also scheduled to fight at Unified MMA 35 two weeks later, where he’ll switch over to the road villain role in a matchup with Nick Hrabec.

Rohovie said he initially told his coach, Lee Mein, he wanted to fight in November, but had Mein surprise him with the Hrabec fight a few weeks later on top of this fight with Henry.

“I wasn’t out looking for another fight, but I thought why not?

“I’m going to be in shape, I’m going to be ready, so let’s see if we can make a run.”

Henry Hungry

But before Rohovie can shift his focus to Hrabec, he must first battle a tough, gritty opponent in Henry, who fought earlier this year at Unified MMA 33.

Henry, 33, said he believes Rohovie’s layoff could play a factor in this fight, which played into his decision to accept the bout in the first place.

“I just competed, went three rounds, felt great, and came out uninjured,” said Henry in an interview.

“His layoff is definitely a factor that could play into my favour, but I’m not underestimating him either. I know he trains hard, trains with a lot of good guys, and it’s going to be his hometown.”

And even though Henry’s coming in as the “bad guy” in Rohovie’s hometown, he said that’s always how it’s been for him.

Henry, fighting out of Springhill, NS, said he receives an extra boost knowing that he has the opportunity to step into the cage, in a building everyone wants him to lose, and silence the crowd.

“It really doesn’t phase me. If anything, it motivates me,” said Henry.

“The pressure’s on him. I don’t know anybody there, and I’m just going there to put on a show for the fans.”

Henry enters this contest on a four-fight losing streak, while Rohovie has also dropped three of his last four contests.

Henry said he’s expecting a good, hard fight between two fighters that are eager to get back in the winner’s circle.

“I see this playing out as a good fight. We’re both strong, hungry guys coming off losses,” said Henry.

“Things have not gone my way lately, so you can expect I’m coming in to win.”

Rohovie’s Shoutouts

“I would like to thank my coach, Lee Mein, and all the guys at Canadian Martial Arts Centre.”

Henry’s Shoutouts

“I’d like to thank Rumble in the Cage for the opportunity, my family, friends, training partners, and girlfriend for the support.”