Tai Tuivasa Aims to Make Quick Work of Marcin Tybura

While Tai Tuivasa would prefer every fight to end within 10 seconds, it doesn’t mean he isn’t prepared for a five-rounder.

Tuivasa (14-6) was originally scheduled to fight Marcin Tybura (24-8) at UFC 298 last month but couldn’t recover in time from a meniscus surgery.

“Bam Bam” will now take on Tybura in the main event at UFC Fight Night 239 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday. While their UFC 298 clash was scheduled for three rounds, the new main event booking is for five rounds.

Although Tuivasa admits he doesn’t prefer a long fight, the Australian certainly has been preparing for one.

“He gave me five rounds and my coaches didn’t let me down. And I know Marcin can fight those five rounds and he can fight them hard. Which is something we’ve been preparing from. I don’t like going the rounds, but I’ve never gassed out. My fitness is good, I feel good, but to be honest I want to get this party started, I want to get it over with. I’m coming out for head. That sounded a bit weird [laughs],” said Tuivasa during media day.

While Tuivasa is a fan-favorite knockout artist, Tybura’s game is more well-rounded and grueling. Tuivasa acknowledges that there will be no surprises for the Polish veteran from his side.

“Marcin’s been around for a long time, I’ve watched him for many years, very experienced. I’m not going to be able to bring anything he hasn’t seen before. I know his plan is to drag me through the rounds and then he’ll try and wear me down, I suppose. But this is the heavyweight division, I’m going to come out, I’m going to come hard and try and get this job done.”

Asked if he envisions a quick outing, Tuivasa stated:

“Look in my head I’d love every fight to be 10 seconds, but unfortunately my coaches don’t let me train for [a fight] that long. So, I’ve put in the work. I’ve had a few injuries along the way, I’ve had a few injuries I had to clean up. My team around me at the moment, I’ve got all the old heads up so they’re really giving me some great advice and I feel confident.”

Tuivasa is coming off three consecutive stoppage losses against Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov. Meanwhile, Tybura will enter the Octagon on the heels of a technical knockout loss against Tom Aspinall that snapped a two-fight winning streak.