Tai Tuivasa is just not pleased with the state of the UFC heavyweight division.
As soon as upon a time, ‘Bam Bam’ appeared like he was going to be the subsequent large factor at heavyweight, scoring 5 straight wins, together with a shocking 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 towards Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a snoozefest of a combat in August.
At this level, the one combat 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 greatest fights the UFC might make proper now, the very fact stays that it’s the one remotely attention-grabbing combat left within the division.
Providing his perception on the stagnating weight class, Tuivasa believes that we might 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 aside from Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall,” Tuivasa informed Ariel Helwani. “Apart from that, everybody’s fairly commonplace. 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 a superb workforce, 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 purpose for the beginning of subsequent yr. ”Have 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 gained a combat in over three years, Tuivasa knew it was time to take a break from the combat recreation to pursue different ventures, although he can’t deny that he’s already began to overlook throwing arms and downing shooeys in entrance of 20,000 screaming followers.
“Positively, that’s why I wanted this break,” Tuivasa added. “I really feel a lot better now I’ve had this break. It’s type of grounded me a bit of bit in what I wish to do. I’ve been going arduous 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 type of lacking it now.
“I undoubtedly wish to get again into it, however I wish to come again, and I’ve obtained one thing to show. I’m not achieved but.”
