Following a loss to Serghei Pavlovich at UFC Saudi Arabia last weekend, heavyweight veteran and former RIZIN talent Jairzinho Rozenstruik was swiftly cut by the promotion.
Now, the kickboxer has opened up about just what went wrong in what turned out to be his final fight inside the octagon.
“Let’s talk about UFC Saudi Arabia,” Rozenstruik wrote on social media on Thursday, using the event’s hash tag. He’d go on to state that paint fumes inside the ANB Arena in Saudi Arabia, and an early injury, contributed to his performance in the fight.
“I came to Riyadh to win and pull off the upset. After a strong fight week, I felt dizzy on Saturday due to the paint fumes. Then, just 70 seconds into the fight, I injured my left foot. The moment my switch kick landed on his elbow, I felt it instantly and knew the fight would play out differently than planned,” Rozenstruik wrote.
“At the end of 2018, I signed my first contract with the UFC, embarking on an incredible journey. I’ve been honored to compete on the biggest stage, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the UFC staff for their professionalism and support over the years. Thank you.”
“From being Rookie of the Year to becoming an MMA veteran, this has been an unforgettable adventure. While this chapter closes, my story is far from over. I will continue to fight, take on new challenges, and settle unfinished business in the cage,” he added.
I’m ready for whatever comes next!”
Jairzinho Rozenstruik, 36, holds a 15-6 record in MMA with wins over Alistair Overeem, Junior Dos Santos, and Andrei Arlovski, among others. The Surinamese fighter picked up multiple titles in kickboxing prior to transitioning to MMA full time.
