Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstryk at UFC 305 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Youtube/UFC
Australian heavyweight boxer Tai Tuivasa will be looking to end a dangerous four-fight losing streak when he takes on Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the PPV division of UFC 305 on Saturday.
On the card, which took place in Perth, Australia, Tuivasa was in a slump with losses to the likes of Ciril Gane and Alexander Volkov, while former kickboxer and Rizin veteran Rozenstruik was coming off a win over Shamil Gadzhiev.
The fight started with an exchange of kicks, with both fighters looking cautious. After about a minute, the two were skirmishing, with Tuivasa circling the outside. The fight was a probing chess match, with Tye using lots of feints. A big, swinging leg kick sent Tuivasa spinning. Rozenstruik followed up with a high kick that was blocked. Kicks were the weapon of choice for both fighters as the round reached the final 90 seconds, but Rozenstruik added a shot to the body.
In the second round, Tuivasa landed a right punch that drew a reaction from Rozenstruik and the crowd. Shortly after, Tye landed a right and a ferocious flurry of punches. Rozenstruik was forced to back away, but Rozenstruik landed a left that took Tye down. These two big men were on full display. Tuivasa again forced Rozenstruik to back away, but he had to be wary of counterattacks.
It was still anyone’s guess, but Tuivasa appeared to have been hurt by a kick. He had to bounce around carefully and now counter an onslaught from Rozenstruik. Tuivasa fought back and took down Rozenstruik despite his bad leg. But Jair Rozenstruik was too fast in the first two rounds and Tuivasa would need to ease up in the third if he had any hope of winning.
Tuivasa landed a right early in the third round, looking for the knockout punch. He landed a front kick, showing he was sure on his feet. Rozenstruik made contact with his lead leg with a kick. Rozenstruik landed a punch, Tuivasa fought back, trading kicks to the body. The third round was a back-and-forth affair, but time, as always, was a factor. Tye needed the finish and went for too long with a right. Another shot missed, and Tuivasa signaled he was being cut low, but chose to carry on.
Tuivasa didn’t get the finishing he needed in the final 90 seconds, but not for a lack of trying, and he couldn’t find a way to the inside until the final 20 seconds, finally getting past Rozenstruik just seconds before the final horn.
The scores looked like a clear winner for Rozenstruik, but judge Howie Booth scored the fight a tie, 30-27, in a particularly questionable decision.
Official result: Haridinho Rozenstryk def. Tai Tuivasa via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
