In brief:
Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa will struggle Jairzinho Rozenstruik on Sunday at UFC 305.
The occasion in Perth can be headlined by Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight title in opposition to Israel Adesanya.
What’s subsequent?
UFC 305 can be held at Perth Area on Sunday.
Australian UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa reckons an escape from his mates and a protracted absence from the pub has him primed to finish a four-bout shedding run in his showdown with Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
UFC 305 mania has hit Perth forward of Sunday’s middleweight title bout between champion Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.
One other huge bout anticipated to get the sellout crowd off their toes can be Perth-born Steve Erceg’s flyweight battle with New Zealand’s Kai Kara-France.
Tuivasa (15-7, 14KOs) can be set to be properly supported by the gang at Perth Area when he enters the octagon.
The 31-year-old, affectionately often known as Bam Bam, hasn’t tasted victory since defeating Derrick Lewis in February 2022.
However a coaching stint in Dubai has Tuivasa feeling assured about ending his shedding streak when he takes on Rozenstruik (14-5, 13KOs) in what is ready to be an explosive affair.
“I am positively most likely the very best I’ve felt,” Tuivasa stated.
“I have been again over in Dubai. I’ve received much more focus once I’m over there.
“No dangerous influences, no mates, I simply type of lock in and keep away from the pub.”
Tuivasa’s previous two fights have resulted in submission losses — the latest being in opposition to Marcin Tybura in March — and he is eager to keep away from extra wrestling.
“I do not like being cuddled on the bottom an excessive amount of,” he stated.
“They prefer to stand up there and cuddle me.
“However I believe this one goes to be a conflict, so I am wanting ahead to it.
“It is positively going to be one for the followers. Somebody goes to fall asleep, and I do not reckon it’ll be me.”
Erceg solely narrowly missed out on successful the flyweight title in simply his fourth UFC bout when he went down by unanimous resolution to champion Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil in Could.
Erceg (12-2, 1KO) is eager on one other stab on the title, however being the quantity seven ranked challenger means he may have to attend a short time.
“I believe I most likely want two extra wins after this one, however that may at all times change if somebody is injured, or an emphatic win,” Erceg stated.
“Like, if I look wonderful (in opposition to Kara-France) they usually’re like, ‘he is plain already’, it will probably get me a shot right away.
“However probably two extra after this.”
Kara-France (24-11, 11KOs) is the fourth-ranked challenger and can be no simple beat.
“He is an excellent fighter. He is received an excellent take-down defence, he hits very laborious,” Erceg stated.
“It isn’t a straightforward struggle, however I am not right here to have simple fights. I am right here to struggle the very best on this planet.
“I believe I’ve extra expertise than he has in additional locations. I really feel like I am a greater fighter than he’s.”
Sports activities content material to make you suppose… or permit you to not. A e-newsletter delivered every Saturday.
AAP
