UFC fighters ducking Aussie phenom

Under five minutes in the Octagon.

And still, this rising Australian heavyweight has been ducked by five different rivals on his way to landing a spot on Australia’s next blockbuster card, UFC 221.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Tuivasa, 24, will throw down with Frenchman Cyril Asker in Perth on February 11.

Incredibly, the Sydneysider’s manager Zen Ginnen has revealed it took six approaches to the UFC – “and they’re just the ones we know about” – before an opponent could be found for the heavyweight whose six professional wins have all come via first round KO.

“Tai is keen to fight anyone in the division,’’ Ginnen said.

“But since winning his UFC debut, it’s been incredibly difficult finding an opponent for him. In recent weeks I’ve approached matchmakers about five different guys – and every one of them said no.

“At one point, Tai even said ‘look, maybe the Perth card isn’t meant to be’. But we’ve persisted because this is a historic event for Australia and we believe Tai deserves to be part of it.”

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Once considered a future NRL star at the Roosters, Tuivasa enjoyed a stunning first up win last month, starching American Rashad Coulter with a spectacular flying knee at UFC Sydney.

Asked if he was surprised so many rivals were suddenly ducking him, the undefeated puncher said: “No, not really.

“I guess they’re just trying to be smart, protect their careers.

“This is a cut throat industry.

“And nobody wants to lose, especially to someone like me, with only the one fight.

“But the way I look at things, we’ll all run into each other eventually. That’s why I’ll always want to fight the best opponents available.”

And for now, that’s Asker.

A 31-year-old from Avignon who, dubbed ‘The Silverback’, has won nine of 12 professional fights, including two of four in the UFC.

Asked what he knew about his European rival, Tuivasa laughed: “I know he’s French. And apparently he’s got some belt in jiu jitsu. But that’s it.”

“I leave all that sort of stuff to my team to work out. My only job is to keep training, working hard and moving this fat body around.”

UFC 221 now looms as a huge card for Australian fight fans.

Apart from being headlined by Sydneysider Robert Whittaker, who will defend his UFC middleweight title against Luke Rockhold, fights have also been announced for fellow Australians Tuivasa, Mark Hunt, Tyson Pedro and Nguyen.

As part of his preparations, Tuivasa is today flying to the Gold Coast for a training camp with Hunt, whom he has assisted as a sparring partner since his teens.

“I’ll still pop back for Christmas Day,” Tuivasa says. “It will be the first one for my little bloke (Carter) so I have to be here for that.

“But then I’ll go straight back into camp.

“You know what happens at Christmas. I can’t afford to be down here around all the food.

“So it’s going to be a short visit, a lonely holiday period for me. But I know the payoff will be worth it.”