UFC Paris headliner Tai Tuivasa: Ciryl Gane elusive, but 'if I dink him, I sink him'

PARIS – Tai Tuivasa is confident if he touches Ciryl Gane’s chin, he’ll go down.

Tuivasa (15-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) faces Gane (10-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 209 main event at Accor Arena in Paris. The card streams on ESPN+.

“Bam Bam” has knocked out his past five opponents in a row, including Derrick Lewis in his most recent outing at UFC 271. Gane is yet to absorb a clean shot in the octagon, but Tuivasa says his power can change the fight.

“He would probably be one of the most elusive, maybe, fighters with his speed and his movement,” Tuivasa told reporters at Thursday’s UFC Fight Night 209 media day. “But if I dink him, I sink him. If I dink them, I sink them. If I hit you flush, then – don’t worry about the cardio, don’t worry about none of that. You’re going to bed.

“We all know he’s a great athlete. He’s really fast and all this. But I excel in the cage. Once the cage doors shut, it’s only me and him. As much as people keep telling me I have to worry about Ciryl, I think Ciryl’s got a bit to worry about from me, too.”

Prior to his five-fight winning streak, Tuivasa was potentially fighting for his job with three straight losses. But despite the past rough patch, Tuivasa’s confidence never wavered,, which allowed him to get back on track and enter title contention.

“I’m confident in every fight,” Tuivasa said. “I think confidence is key, especially in the fight business. I think I’m just lucky I’ve got more cool. I don’t really take too much into account. All I know is Saturday I get paid, and I get to get drunk, and when I win, I get more money. That’s all that matters to me.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.