Tai Tuivasa just isn’t proud of the state of the UFC heavyweight division.
As soon as upon a time, ‘Bam Bam’ seemed like he was going to be the subsequent large factor at heavyweight, scoring 5 straight wins, together with a surprising second-round knockout of Derrick Lewis in February 2022.
Sadly, Tuivasa’s hype was rapidly quelled after Aussie proceeded to drop 5 in a row, his most up-to-date coming in opposition to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a snoozefest of a battle in August.
At this level, the one battle anybody is speaking about at heavyweight is the long-awaited title unification conflict between undisputed champion Jon Jones and interim titleholder Tom Aspinall. And whereas there’s no denying that Jones vs. Aspinall is likely one of the largest fights the UFC may make proper now, the very fact stays that it’s the one remotely attention-grabbing battle left within the division.
Providing his perception on the stagnating weight class, Tuivasa believes that we may very well be at one of many lowest factors within the division, the place, exterior of Jones and Aspinall, there’s nothing to be enthusiastic about.
“Bro, the heavyweights, they’re all sh*t apart from Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall,” Tuivasa informed Ariel Helwani. “Apart from that, everybody’s fairly normal. Precisely! In order that’s the factor. I’ve had my time without work, I’m going to get again into coaching, get myself prepared, get myself round an excellent staff, and I’m going to get again. That’s all they know. That’s all proper, I’ll be again.”
Tai Tuivasa aiming for a 2026 return
Closing in on a yr since his final look contained in the Octagon, Tuivasa confirmed that he’s eyeing a 2026 return.
“I’m going to return into the cage,” Tuivasa stated. “I’m going to goal for the beginning of subsequent yr. ”Take a look at me, I have to get again within the fitness center. I have to prepare. I’ll be 140 kg [approx. 308 pounds], simple. It’s large, no matter it’s, I don’t know, it’s large.”
Having not received a battle in over three years, Tuivasa knew it was time to take a break from the battle recreation to pursue different ventures, although he can’t deny that he’s already began to overlook throwing fingers and downing shooeys in entrance of 20,000 screaming followers.
“Undoubtedly, that’s why I wanted this break,” Tuivasa added. “I really feel a lot better now I’ve had this break. It’s sort of grounded me a little bit bit in what I need to do. I’ve been going onerous in my companies and stuff like that, so it’s undoubtedly given me a while away from coaching and from combating, however we’re fighters, so it’s naturally in me, and I’m sort of lacking it now.
“I undoubtedly need to get again into it, however I need to come again, and I’ve bought one thing to show. I’m not finished but.”
