
UFC Called Out For Not Cutting Popular Heavyweight Amidst Roster Purge
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has been criticized for not releasing popular heavyweight Tai Tuivasa, despite a three-year winless streak. The criticism comes amidst a roster purge that has seen several fighters released from the promotion in recent weeks.
Tuivasa, who is currently ranked No. 10, was defeated by Sergey Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night on February 1. This loss marked his third consecutive defeat, and he has not won a fight since February 2022. It’s difficult to understand why Tuivasa remains on the roster when fighters like Jairzinho Rozenstruik have been released after similar losing streaks.
Rozenstruik lost to Pavlovich in a lackluster fight that UFC President Dana White described as “horrible.” Despite this, he was released from the promotion. The inconsistency has sparked outrage among fans and fellow fighters, who feel Tuivasa’s popularity should not be enough to keep him on the roster when Rozenstruik’s skills were deemed insufficient.
While Tuivasa is undoubtedly a fan-friendly fighter with an exciting style, his inability to win in three years raises questions about his viability as a competitor. The fact that he remains on the roster while Rozenstruik has been released may be seen by some as unfair and inconsistent.
It’s possible that UFC officials have decided not to release Tuivasa due to his popularity and charisma. He is an all-action fighter who always seems to bring excitement to the Octagon, even in defeat. His post-fight celebrations, such as his famous “shoey” ritual, have become a hallmark of his personality.
However, there may also be financial considerations at play here. As a popular fighter from Australia, Tuivasa’s value lies not only in his fighting skills but also in his ability to draw fans and attention to the promotion in one of its most important markets.
For now, it appears that Tuivasa will continue to compete for the UFC, even if he is no longer winning fights.
Source: http://www.forbes.com