Heavyweight fan favourite Tai Tuivasa will probably be trying to finish an disagreeable six-game dropping streak when he enters the Octagon on Saturday to face late-notified alternative Louis Sutherland at UFC Perth, however ‘Bang Bang’ is aware of his job might be in jeopardy.
Tuivasa, who returned lower than 4 months after dropping a call to Talison Teixeira in Sydney and hasn’t received since February 2022, credit his recognition for persevering with to get alternatives within the UFC regardless of the longest dropping streak by a heavyweight within the promotion’s historical past.
“My life depends upon it,” Tuivasa mentioned at UFC Perth media day. “I’ve most likely been in quite a lot of shut calls (lol), however I had my butt within the seat and this occurred. I really feel good and I will exit and do what Bang Bang does, Bang Bang fashion. I am not going to lose, son of a bitch (lol).”
Tuivasa mentioned “it could be worse if I misplaced” however “I took quite a lot of positives away” from the final combat.
“I am competing on the high stage, however I nonetheless really feel horrible,” Tuivasa mentioned. “I’ve put within the effort, so I higher exit and do what I’ve to do. … I’ve obtained to exit and put every part collectively. The staff was good, camp was nice. I am very annoyed proper now.”
“We did not get the consequence we needed within the final recreation, however we obtained lots out of it,” he added. “We obtained lots out of this match. We have been making an attempt to not get tapped out by these rattling jiu-jitsu guys, however that is what it’s. And I felt prefer it was dangerous to not get tapped out within the final combat. Rattling, that man had lengthy arms. I may really feel him making an attempt, however once more, that is what it’s. I do not wish to suppose an excessive amount of about previous fights, however I really feel fairly good.”
Tuivasa was initially scheduled to face Shaun Sharaf, who left the cardboard with an damage. Requested if he was apprehensive the promoted aspect wouldn’t have the ability to discover a alternative in time to maintain Perth Card, he responded in essentially the most Tuivasa means doable.
“I am on a six-game dropping streak. It should not be fucking onerous to get me to combat,” Tuivasa mentioned with amusing. “Get somebody from the pub or one thing. The rattling man wants one thing.”
The heavyweight veteran, who presently owns a 14-9 document after dropping six straight within the UFC to Cyril Gane, Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura, Jairzinho Rozenstryk and Teixeira, blamed himself for treating each matchup as if his opponents have been simply standing round and buying and selling punches.
“My arm was lifeless, it felt bizarre as a result of I wanted to punch,” Tuivasa mentioned of the combat towards Teixeira. “You understand, like all the time, this man went in pondering he was going to get hit. I all the time suppose that with all fighters. I all the time suppose, ‘Oh, yeah, they will come and bang.'” That is fucking boxing. That is combined martial arts. And you find yourself mendacity in your again. I used to be anticipating a bang with him, nevertheless it ended on the bottom. And we executed our recreation plan on the sector. It was, “Fuck, do not get tapped out.” And I did it. I listened to the coaches. Oh shit. It is a shitty sport typically. It is the best of highs and the bottom of lows, nevertheless it’s actuality. I adore it. ”
