Finally ready for promotional debut, Tai Tuivasa ready to take spotlight at UFC-Sydney

SYDNEY – The time finally has come for Tai Tuivasa in the UFC. Like play-by-play voice Jon Anik might say, “It shall be done.”

Tuivasa (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his long-awaited promotional debut on Saturday against Rashad Coulter (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 121, and he gets to do it front of his home fans in Australia.

UFC Fight Night 121 takes place Sunday (but airs live on Saturday in North America due to the time difference) at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. It airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Tuivasa signed with the UFC a year ago, but an injury and knee surgery kept him out till now.

“It’s been a pretty hectic year,” Tuivasa told MMAjunkie at a media day in support of the event. “This time six months ago, I couldn’t move. I had a full knee reconstruction. But it’s been a long time coming and it’s finally here, so I’m ready to grab it with two hands.

“I think I’ve changed a lot myself (in the time off). I’ve got myself fully prepared – mentally prepared. I think this weight cut’s been the easiest. Plus, it’s at home in front of my home crowd, so it can’t get any better than that.”

Tuivasa’s most recent fight came in October 2016 when he defended his AFC heavyweight title with a first-round TKO of UFC vet James McSweeney. That made him a perfect 5-0 as a pro – with five knockouts or TKOs.

And he seems to think against Coulter, more of the same could be on the way.

“Whatever there is, I’ve got to do it – if that’s keep knocking people out, that’s what I do,” Tuivasa said. “He’s going to come to fight, I’m going to come to fight, so it’s going to be a good show.”

For more from Tuivasa, check out the video above.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 121, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.