Tai Tuivasa next fight: Heavyweight clash with Marcin Tybura set for UFC Fight Night

Tom Naghten

Tai Tuivasa next fight: Heavyweight clash with Marcin Tybura set for UFC Fight Night image

Australian knockout artist Tai Tuivasa will return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura on March 17 when he headlines opposite Poland's Marcin Tybura.

The bout was originally scheduled to feature a month earlier on the same card as the featherweight title bout between fellow Aussie Alex Volkanovski and challenger, Ilia Topuria.

Tuivasa is hoping to arrest a three-fight skid, having been stopped by Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov in his most recent outings.

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It's not the first time the Sydneysider has dropped three on the trot in the UFC - he bounced back from that by going on a streak of five knockout victories to put himself one fight away from a title shot.

Tuivasa's last appearance ended in a submission loss to Volkov at UFC 293 in his hometown in September, taking his record to 14-6.

Who is Tai Tuivasa fighting?

In Tybura, Tuivasa has an opponent with plenty of UFC experience.

The 38-year-old has a 24-8 record and made his debut with the company in 2016.

Last time out, Tybura was knocked out in the first round against current interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall in July.

With nine wins by knockout, Tybura isn't regarded as one of the heavier hitters in the division and Tuivasa will fancy his chances if he can draw the veteran into a firefight.

 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.