Heavy hitters are on deck for UFC Vegas 88.
The Main Event
After a box-office weekend in Miami, the UFC returns to the Apex for another night of fights. Australian knockout artist Tai Tuivasa meets Poland’s Marcin Tybura head-on in the main event, which is scheduled for five rounds or less in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Both on a losing skid, the heavyweight headliners will attempt to get back in the win column on Saturday.
Big boys are taking over 😤#UFCVegas88 Fight Day has arrived!!
[ LIVE on @ESPNPlus | 7pmET/4pmPT ] pic.twitter.com/1oERUTjSDt— UFC (@ufc) March 16, 2024
Tuivasa, known for his highlight-reel knockouts (and shoeys), has lost three fights in a row to the best in the world. ‘Bam Bam’ was finished by Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, with his last win being a second-round stoppage over promotional knockout king Derrick Lewis at UFC 271.
The Aussie aims for his 15th win by KO when he meets Tybura.
It’s been a long road for the 38 year-old Tybura. The Polish fighter debuted in the UFC in 2016 and has faced a ton of elite competition ever since. Just ask Tybura about his last fight, where he took on now interim champion Tom Aspinall.
While he has exchanged wins and losses over his Octagon run, ‘Tybur’ has never been one to shy away from a fight and that doesn’t stop here in his third UFC main event spot.
Big night ahead 👀
— UFC (@ufc) March 16, 2024
[ #UFCVegas88 | B2YB @JoseCuervo | Live on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/JsFsp4XssE
Also On The Card:
‘The Ultimate Fighter’ season 29 winner Bryan Battle is back in action against Ange Loosa in the co-headliner of the evening. Former title challenger Ovince St. Preux will look to show he’s still got it at age 40 when he collides with Kennedy Nzechukwu.
26 year-old Christian Rodriguez, a rising prospect in his own right, will try to halt the hype of undefeated finisher Isaac Dulgarian. Another fight on the main card is a rematch between ‘TUF 28’ finalists Macy Chiasson and Pannie Kianzad, which takes place six years after their first encounter.
UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura Results
Main Card (7pm ET)
Marcin Tybura defeats Tai Tuivasa via submission (rear-naked choke) in round 1 (4:08)
Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa declared no-contest after an accidental eye-poke in round 2 (1:00)
Ovince Saint Preux defeats Kennedy Nzechukwu via unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Christian Rodriguez defeats Isaac Dulgarian via split decision (28-27, 27-28, 28-27)
Macy Chiasson defeats Pannie Kianzad via submission (rear-naked choke) in round 1 (3:54)
Gerald Meerschaert defeats Bryan Barberena via submission (rear-naked choke) in round 2 (4:23)
Prelims (4pm ET)
Mike Davis defeats Natan Levy via submission (arm-triangle choke) in round 2 (1:43)
Chelsea Chandler defeats Josiane Nunes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jafel Filho defeats Ode Osbourne via submission (rear-naked choke) in round 1 (4:27)
Danny Silva defeats Josh Culibao via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jaqueline Amorim defeats Cory McKenna via submission (armbar) in round 1 (1:38)
Thiago Moisés defeats Mitch Ramirez via TKO (leg kicks) in round 3 (0:15)
Chad Anheliger defeats Charalampos Grigoriou via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
