Heavyweight wrecking machine Tai Tuivasa has booked the biggest fight of his undefeated career as the hard hitting Sydney based fighter prepares to meet former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski in Chicago.
The promotion announced the fight Saturday following an initial progress report from MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani.
Tuivasa (9-0 MMA) made his anticipated UFC debut in November, 2017 in Sydney, stopping Rashad Coulter in the opening round with a flying knee. The popular Aussie returned to the Octagon recently in Perth where he overwhelmed Cyril Asker with strikes also in the first round. The impressive victories have propelled the 25 year-old to 13th spot in the promotion’s heavyweight rankings.
Following a five-fight losing run in the promotion, 39 year-old Arlovski (27-15), who is currently ranked 9th in the division, has won his last two outings, outpointing Júnior Albini and most recently Stefan Struve in March.
UFC 225 will take place June 10 (Australian time) at United Center in Chicago, Illinois and will see Robert Whittaker make his first middleweight title defense when the Aussie rematches Yoel Romero in the main event.
UFC 221 Media Day Interview: Tai Tuivasa “I’m all sorts of crazy”