UFC Fight Night 239 headliner Tai Tuivasa unfazed by three-fight skid: 'I've been here before'

LAS VEGAS – Tai Tuivasa returns to the octagon under the unideal circumstances at UFC Fight Night 239, yet, he’s fully confident that he’s going to get the job done.

Tuivasa (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) takes on Marcin Tybura (24-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s card at the UFC Apex (ESPN+). He looks to snap a three-fight losing skid and get back to his winning ways. It’s a tough position to be in, because a fourth defeat would send him further down the rankings and maybe even make his status with the promotion uncertain.

But despite all the optics around the fight, Tuivasa said he’s unaffected by the stakes.

“There’s always pressure, but it’s no pressure I haven’t seen before,” Tuivasa told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 239 media day. “I’ve been here before in my life and in fighting. My preparation has been good, so I’m relying on that.”

Tuivasa, No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, said he knows a tough task is ahead. Not only due to the position he finds himself in, but also because No. 8-ranked Tybura is one of the most experienced names in the division.

The Australian said he holds Tybura in high regard, and by no means is taking him lightly.

“Marcin has been around for a long time – I’ve watched him for many years,” Tuivasa said. “He’s very experienced. I’m not going to be able to bring anything that he hasn’t seen before. I know his plan is to try to drag me through the rounds and then try to wear me down, I suppose. But this is the heavyweight division and I want to come down and come hard and try to get this job done.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 239.