The UFC returns to Perth, Australia on August 17th and the card is starting to fill out. In the last week we learned of the main event which is middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis taking on Israel Adesanya. We also learned that Steve Erceg will take on Kai Kara-France.
This weekend, we learned of a big time heavyweight matchup that is heading to the card. Don’t blink with this one as “Bam Bam” Tai Tuivasa (14-7) will look to right the ship as he takes on decorated striker and fellow heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik (14-5).
It’s been a very up and down few years for Rozenstruik in the UFC. After knocking out Alistair Overeem back in 2019, he was a perfect 10-0. However, he was then knocked out by Francis Ngannou in 20 seconds and that started him down a real tough stretch. Rozenstruik is just 4-5 in his last five fights. However, in his last fight, he headlined a UFC Fight Night and beat previously unbeaten Shamil Gaziev.
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Tai Tuivasa is someone who really needs a win. Back in 2022, Tuivasa knocked out Derrick Lewis and that put him near the top of the heavyweight rankings. From there, he headlined the promotion’s first trip to Paris when he took on former interim champion Ciryl Gane.
Tuivasa dropped Gane in that matchup but was ultimately stopped. That loss kicked off what is now a four-fight losing streak for Tuivasa. In his last fight against Marcin Tybura, he was taken down and submitted in the first round. He wants to prove that he’s still one of the UFC’s best and to do that, he’s going to need a big win in Australia.
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