Australian UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa is optimistic about his upcoming fight against Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 88, despite having lost his last three fights, and believes he fights better when his “back’s against the wall”.
Tai Tuivasa is all set for a comeback this weekend. He’s up against Marcin Tybura in UFC Vegas 88’s main event on Saturday. This fight is crucial for Tuivasa, who’s had three consecutive losses after almost securing a title shot in 2022. Fans are doubting the Aussie fighter due to his recent performance, but “Bam Bam” isn’t fazed.
He’s been in this situation before. “I’ve seen it all,” he said on The MMA Hour earlier this week. “I guess I fight better when cornered.”
He’s lost against Ciryl Gane and Sergei Pavlovich, but those guys are no pushovers. “They’re not some random dudes off the street. Alex Volkov. If I was losing to nobodies, I’d write myself off too. But these guys are the best. So, I’m good. Just gotta keep my head in the game.”
Tuivasa’s been here before, indeed. After a winning streak in his first three UFC fights, he lost three in a row. But he bounced back with five straight wins, putting him back in the game. He’s hoping for a similar comeback, which would be a sweet birthday gift as he turns 31 on Saturday.
“Marcin Tybura’s a tough opponent,” Tuivasa admitted. “He’s got experience. But if I hit him, he’s going down. Simple.”
He thinks it’s a good matchup. “He’ll try to drag me into later rounds, but I’ll land my shots and end it. I want to celebrate my birthday in beautiful Las Vegas.”
The only downside? The fight’s at the UFC APEX, not in front of a live audience. Tuivasa, a crowd favorite, always makes a grand entrance with a sea of fans cheering him on. But he’s looking at the bright side.
“I love the crowd,” he said. “But maybe I’ll be more focused without them. I can listen to my corner more and get the job done. Once I’m back on the winning side, bring back the crowd.”
UFC Vegas 88 is happening this Saturday. The main card kicks off at 7 p.m. EST. So, are you ready for some action?