Tai Tuivasa has made a spectacular climb in the UFC’s Heavyweight rankings and when the thoughts of facing Jon Jones or Ciryl Gane arises, the Aussie mixed martial artist gets a little too excited.
Tai Tuivasa’s current focus is on a win over Gane this Saturday
Tuivasa, the 3rd ranked fighter in the heavyweight division, is currently on a five fight win streak in the Octagon, having marked his last victory against Derrick Lewis at UFC 271 back in February this year. Now, ‘Bam Bam’ is just days away from taking on Ciryl Gane, the former interim champion, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 209 on 3rd September at the Accor Arena in Paris.
Speaking to TMZ Sports in an exclusive interview, Tuivasa stated that he will not only ‘bring the fire’ to the cage this Saturday night, but also plans to land a bigger contract with the promotion.
“Ciryl is a great athlete. Great competitor. Really good fighter. There’s gonna be a few challenges, but I think he’s got a bit to worry about as well, know what I mean? I’m gonna do what Bam Bam does and come to fight, and I’m gonna bring the fire, that’s for sure,” said Tuivasa, “I look at it as an opportunity to earn more fans from another country and another place. So yeah, I’m excited. I definitely came to find some new French fans.”
“All I’m focused on is winning this Saturday and negotiating a new contract for bigger money,” the 29-year-old went on, “I’m a prize fighter. I know that if I win this weekend, it’s going to help me dramatically in my next contract negotiation.”
Famed for performing the ‘shoe-y’ after winning fights, Tuivasa said that he plans to do the same this weekend with some good French beer- which he has already heard good things about from his friends.
“My mates have been having beers at breakfast. They said it tastes pretty good, so I’m definitely keen to give it a swirl!”
A win over 1st ranked Gane will push Tuivasa to a higher spot in the division and can potentially make him the opponent for Jon Jones when the former Light Heavyweight champ makes his heavyweight debut.
While the thought of sharing the Octagon with Jones or Gane makes Tuivasa ‘horny’, his current focus lies on the Frenchman.
“[Jones and Gane fights] both make me a bit horny, but I gotta take care of business this week first, and then worry what’s to come next,” he added.
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