Tuivasa (14-8) has been sidelined since Aug. 2024 and is in dire need of a rebound. The beloved Australian slugger is riding a five-fight losing streak — the longest skid of his career. His most recent outing saw him drop a split decision to Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Before that, he suffered four straight stoppage losses to elite competition, including Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich (watch highlights), and Alexander Volkov.
After ballooning in weight during his layoff, Tuivasa has reportedly returned to proper fight shape with two months to go — but he has a tough test ahead.
Teixeira (8-1) is coming off the first loss of his professional career, a 35-second knockout at the hands of Derrick Lewis — a stoppage that many felt was premature (watch highlights). Before that setback, “Xicao” bulldozed his way through the competition with eight straight first-round finishes, including a blistering debut knockout of Justin Tafa (watch highlights).
Currently ranked No. 15, Teixeira now has the opportunity to swipe Tuivasa’s No. 12 spot in the division with a statement win.
The UFC want Lopes as their champion.
Volks is old and will likely retire and they’ve offered him a big finish in Australia.
Exactly it’s this stupidity that ruined the JDS vs Velasquez trilogy.
When you are decisively beaten in a championship fight you should have to fight ‘minimum’’ 2 fights before you get another shot.
Volkanovski hasn’t fought anyone since he beat Lopes anyway.
Who wants to see this shit apart from Lopes’s family?