“I changed a lot, a lot of things in my life that weren’t going too well. I just had to look back at what I wanted to do and why I wanted to do this. Now I feel I’m in a good place. Especially since my last fight I feel I’ve gotten better, and I’m ready to knock this next fella out.”
Tuivasa has had a three-month stay in Dubai ahead of his fight with Mayes. The extended trip away from his family and home training camp was not by design, with Tuivasa originally hoping to get a fight on UFC Fight Island. However, “Bam Bam” has made the most of it.
“There’s a lot of good grapplers here (in Dubai); they love the ground here. I’ve also been training with Gokhan Saki, he’s one of the best kickboxers of all time. I’ve really just been sponging off him, I love that Dutch style.”
Tuivasa’s 29-year-old opponent, Mayes, entered the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series. After losing his first two fights, Mayes had his first UFC win with a rear naked choke victory over Roque Martinez in November 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs Dos Anjos.
Tuivasa claims to know little about his opponent, leaving the game planning to his team. Tuivasa will be flying out his coach Steve Ashby from Australia for Saturday’s fight.
“I don’t really know who he is; I’m a fighter, this is my job. Apparently, he wanted to fight me so I said, sweet, even better.”
If Mayes asked for the fight because he is looking to stand with Tuivasa, “Bam Bam” is happy to oblige come Saturday.
“I’m coming to entertain,” he said. “Apparently he likes to stand and fight so if that’s the case I don’t think it’s going to be a good day at the office for him. But I’m coming for heads; I’m always coming for heads.”
