Junior Dos Santos vs Tai Tuivasa set to headline UFC Adelaide

The new wave of young heavyweight talent continues to flow into the top 10. And once you’re in, it’s more often than not only up from there.

After bursting onto the scene in the land of the big men last year, the 25-year old Australian Tai Tuivasa (8-0) quickly earned two impressive victories early into 2018.

The first coming in just painfully dominant fashion over Cyril Asker in February when fighting in front of the Perth faithful at UFC 221. The fight that followed was the biggest of his young career as he took on a heavyweight legend and former UFC champion in Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski at UFC 225.

Tuivasa would walk away with the big victory via unanimous decision. It would mark the first fight of his career that went the distance.

Tuivasa has been shooting for the stars since then and now he gets his wish.

Combate has reported that a fight between Tuivasa and another former champion, Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos (19-5) is being targeted as the main event for the UFC’s return to Australia in Adelaide on December 2. ESPN later confirmed that the fight is a go.

PhotoCred: BloodyElbow

For the former champ Dos Santos, he made his return last month when taking on and defeating the former World Series of Fighting champion Blagoy Ivanov over the course of five rounds in UFC Boise’s main event.

The fight was JDS’ first since his title losing effort against the then champion Stipe Miocic.

Surprisingly, Dos Santos has actually been alternating wins and losses since 2012 (4-4) when he was last the UFC champion.

As for the rest of the Adelaide card, it is continuing to build as it slowly nears closer. Here’s what else is on deck as of right now:

Flyweight – 125lbs: Wilson Reis vs. Ben Nguyen

Flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Ashkan Mokhtarian

Light heavyweight – 205lbs: Paul Craig vs. Jim Crute

on 8/30/2018