‘It’s been a long camp - I’m over it’ - Tai Tuivasa can’t wait for headline UFC Fight Night showdown with Marcin Tybura

Tai Tuivasa says he’s "over” his training camp and recovery from surgery ahead of his return to action against Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night 239 on Saturday, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The Australian has been recovering from a tear in his meniscus, which forced the original heavyweight contest - slated for UFC 298 - to be postponed. That has come with a new benefit - headlining the bill in Las Vegas.

Tuivasa goes into the fight on the back of a three-match losing streak, while Tybura is also looking to get back to winning again following his defeat to Britain’s interim champion Tom Aspinall in July last year.

“Since my last camp, I’ve had to do a lot of things injury wise - there is no excuse, I don’t like to make excuses, if I lose, I lose," he said ahead of the blockbuster fight.

“My last preparation wasn’t the best, due to injuries. As fighters, we’ve got to rock up. I feel like my body’s much better, I’ve had to get those things cleaned up, man it’s been a long camp - I’m over it.”

Tuivasa’s most recent defeat was a second round loss to Alexander Volkov in September, and he has revealed the injury setback has been tough to take. But he wants to make up for lost time.

“We’re human, we bleed the same as everyone else, our heads are the same as everyone else," he said.

“Everyone gets to see the glitz and the glamour but this s*** is hard man. This sport is hard, mentally, physically - hard on your family. This is what we do, we’re fighters, we rock up and go to work.

“In my head, I’d like every fight to be 10 seconds, but unfortunately my coaches don’t let me train for that long. I’ve put in the work, I’ve had a few injuries along the way. The team are giving me some great advice, I’m feeling confident.”

Tybura says his defeat to Aspinall has been easier to take over time, because of the British fighter’s rise to the top.

“It was tough to find positives, I had to accept there is someone better than me in this sport,” he said.

“All I could do is go back to the gym and work on everything, in every aspect. For sure, I needed to work on my defence.

“Mentally, it’s hard to explain - words never reflect what kind of feeling you have. I just feel inside it taught me a lesson and now I have a different approach.”

The Polish 38-year-old is one of the veterans of the heavyweight division but he is backing his fitness to come out on top against Tuivasa.

He also says he had no problem agreeing to a postponement, if it allowed his opponent to recover full fitness.

“Cardio-wise, I don’t mind going five rounds. My approach is always to go for the finish, try to finish the fight, I’m hoping to get that done," he said.

"For sure, I need to keep my face away from his hands! I believe in some of my skills in striking, in kickboxing, and I can handle some fights in stand up position.

“I can wrestle, and we have prepared for a few scenarios in this fight. We have a plan but we can’t over-think this stuff.

“I got married in Vegas - happy ever after - so hopefully this place is lucky for me.”

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