Orlando, FL – UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa isn’t one to turn fights down very often, that’s how he ended up fighting at UFC Orlando against Sergei Pavlovich on Saturday night.
Most figured Tuivasa (15-4) would end up fighting at UFC Perth Feb. 2023, but instead find him in Florida in December.
“They offered me the fight, and February that means camp would have to be over Christmas and New Years. I wanted to spend Christmas with my son. Yeah it popped up and I thought it was a great opportunity to get paid and enjoy Christmas,” Tuivasa told the press on Wednesday.
Tuivasa did say he will be in attendance at UFC Perth, but as a fan.
“Definitely i’ll be there. Obviously i’d love to fight in front of the Australian fans, but I’ve been pretty active so I’m keen to finish the year off with a bang, get back in the win column, and then have a bit of a rest,” he said.
Tuivasa is coming off a main event bout against Ciryl Gane in France just a couple of months ago. It was a tough fight that saw Tuivasa wobble Gane for a second, but ultimately lose via knockout.
“I think my style of fighting is if I go out there and give it my all, win or lose, I can away with my head held high. I felt like I gave it all I had, and I just wasn’t the better fighter on the night, and Ciryl was,” said Tuivasa.
“That’s just how this sport goes. You win or you lose, you know, and I lost.”
Pavlovich offers an opportunity for Tuivasa to show more of his fight style since he’s not as mobile as Gane offering him a chance to land big shots on his opponent.
“Well yeah that’s the narrative of it I think. I suppose that’s why they offered him to me. Everyone must be scared of him. I accepted the fight and then I didn’t really know who it was, and I looked and I think it’s going to be a great fight for the fans,” Tuivasa said.
“I come to to entertain the fans and put on a show. I think that’s what me and Sergei are going to do on the weekend.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Tai Tuivasa above. He takes on Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Orlando on Dec.3rd.
