Following an entertaining UFC 299 in Miami, the UFC returns to the APEX in Las Vegas for a Fight Night Heavyweights clash when Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura face off in a pivotal matchup in the division on March 16. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Tuivasa is a fan favorite who would love to take a shoey following a win. Tybura looks to return to form after losing against the current interim UFC heavyweight champion. Both are at a crossroads and desperately need a win. That desperation could make for an intriguing matchup.
Fight Nights are known to exceed expectations. Can the heavyweight main event continue that trend?
WATCH: UFC Vegas 88: Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura on ESPN+
Other fighters to watch out for include Bryan Battle, Christian Rodriguez, Natan Levy, and Josiane Nunes.
The Sporting News will provide the top reasons to tune into UFC Vegas 88:
Three reasons to watch UFC Vegas 88: Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura
Clash of styles = Entertaining fight?
Heavyweight main events can either be an all-out brawl, ending at any moment, or a snoozefest that lasts all 25 minutes. In this case, Tuivasa and Tybura present a skill level that may lean towards the former.
Tybura’s last two wins have gone the distance. The 38-year-old is ranked second in decision wins at heavyweight with seven. He also ranks fourth overall in total fight time (3:36:31 and growing) and fourth in control time (1:01:45). In terms of significant strikes, Tybura has landed 1,387.
The Polish fighter has been known to score knockouts at will. However, he may need to adapt if his groundwork doesn't hold up, especially against someone in Tuivasa who is tenth in landed knockdowns (eight). Before his losing streak, Tuivasa won five straight via knockout.
“Marcin’s been around for a long time, I’ve watched him for many years. I’m not going to be able to bring anything that he hasn’t seen before,” Tuivasa said via Cageside Press. “I know his job; his plan is to try and drag me through the rounds and try to wear me down, I suppose. But this is the heavyweight division. I’m going to come out and come hard and try to get this job done.”
If Tuivasa can dig deep and force Tybura to his feet, the two could engage in a quick brawl, something fans won't want to miss.
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Tuivasa vs. Tybura betting odds are enticing
Per Bet MGM, Tuivasa and Tybura are even at -110. So even with the clash of styles, it’s not a one-sided fight compared to other heavyweight clashes.
Tybura via KO/TKO (+225) or Tuivasa via KO/TKO (+100) are hot plays, while Tybura via submission (+500) is also a logical bet. The fight not going the distance (-700) is almost guaranteed. So not only do you have a fairly even matchup, but history has shown that heavyweight main events can end with a bang.
Tuivas and Tybura both backed into a corner
The UFC’s heavyweight division is in limbo. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is out due to injury, and UFC CEO Dana White insists on booking Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. Tom Aspinall is the interim champion but has no fights booked yet. Curtis Blades recently ended Jailton Almeida’s win streak and momentum, while Sergei Pavlovich is without a challenger.
Why is this all important? Because Tuivasa and Tybura have a chance to make some noise in a crowded division.
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Tuivasa is ranked ninth in the heavyweight rankings, with Tybura at tenth. A win by either could move them past Serghei Spivac – who last fought in September 2023 – and, potentially, Almeida.
With Jones potentially returning by late summer, the momentum Tuivasa and Tybura could get from a win could lead to rewarding matchups once the division gets back on track.
How to watch UFC Vegas 88: Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura
- Date: Saturday, March 16
- Time: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT | 11 p.m. GMT | 10 a.m. AEDT
- Channel/live stream: ESPN+ | TNT Sports | Main Event on Kayo
- Location: UFC APEX - Las Vegas
UFC Vegas 88 begins at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 16, with the main card at 7 p.m. ET. Tuivasa and Tybura should make their way to the octagon around 10:15 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last. The event is in the UFC's APEX in Las Vegas.
