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AAP
Justin Chadwick

No friends, no pub help Tuivasa focus on UFC spoils

Tai Tuivasa (r) is confident of ending a four-bout losing run when he fights Jairzinho Rozenstruik. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Australian UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa reckons an escape from his friends and a prolonged absence from the pub has him primed to end a four-bout losing run in his showdown with Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

UFC 305 mania has hit Perth ahead of Sunday's middleweight title bout between champion Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.

Another big bout expected to get the sellout crowd off their feet will be Perth-born Steve Erceg's flyweight battle with New Zealand's Kai Kara-France.

Tuivasa (15-7, 14KOs) is also set to be well supported by the crowd at RAC Arena when he enters the ring.

The 31-year-old, affectionately known as 'Bam Bam', hasn't tasted victory since defeating Derrick Lewis in February, 2022.

But a training stint in Dubai has Tuivasa feeling confident of ending his losing streak when he takes on Rozenstruik (14-5, 13KOs) in what is set to be an explosive affair.

"I'm definitely probably the best I've felt," Tuivasa said.

"I've been back over in Dubai. I've got a lot more focus when I'm over there.

"No bad influences, no friends, I just kind of lock in and stay away from the pub."

Tuivasa's past two fights have ended in submission losses - the most recent being against Marcin Tybura in March - and he's keen to avoid more wrestling in the ring.

"I don't like being cuddled on the ground too much," he said.

"They like to get up there and cuddle me.

"But I think this one is going to be a war, so I'm looking forward to it.

"It's definitely going to be one for the fans. Someone is going to go to sleep, and I don't reckon it's going to be me."

Erceg only narrowly missed out on winning the flyweight title in just his fourth UFC bout when he went down by unanimous decision to champion Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil in May.

If Erceg had won the fifth and final round, he would have been awarded the win.

Erceg (12-2, 1KO) is keen on another stab at the title, but being the No.7 challenger means he may need to wait a little while.

"I think I probably need two more wins after this one, but that can always change if someone is injured, or an emphatic win," Erceg said.

"Like if I look amazing (against Kara-France) and they're like, 'he's undeniable already', it can get me a shot straight away.

"But likely two more after this."

Kara-France (24-11, 11KOs) is the fourth-ranked challenger and will be no easy beat.

"He's a very good fighter. He's got a very good take-down defence, he hits very hard," Erceg said.

"It's not an easy fight, but I'm not here to have easy fights. I'm here to fight the best in the world.

"I think I have more skills than he has in more places. I feel like I'm a better fighter than he is."

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