Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik joins UFC Fight Night lineup Feb. 1 in Riyadh

Top-10 heavyweights Sergei Pavlovich and Jairzinho Rozenstruik will throw down in February.

A pair of top-10 heavyweights will throw down in February as [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] on Feb. 1 at a UFC Fight Night event from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Mania was first to report the news.

Pavlovich (18-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will look to snap a two-fight skid after back-to-back losses to Tom Aspinall for the interim title and most recently Alexander Volkov at UFC on ABC 6 in June. Prior to that, Pavlovich had knocked out six opponents in a row, all in the first round.

Rozenstruik (15-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is on his first winning streak since 2019. “Bigi Boy” is coming off two straight wins over Shamil Gaziev in March, followed by Tai Tuivasa at UFC 305 in August.

With the addition, the current UFC Saudi Arabia lineup incldues:

  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz
  • Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

UFC 305 medical suspensions: Li Jingliang shut down for 2 months after brutal KO

After a brutal KO at the hands of Carlos Prates, Li Jingliang is out two months. But one UFC 305 suspension is potentially longer.

Everyone who fought this past Saturday at UFC 305 has been given medical suspensions after their bouts, though several were just for mandatory rest periods.

Of note, Li Jingliang, who suffered one of the most brutal knockouts in recent memory at the hand of Carlos Prates, will be out for 60 days. Plus, Casey O’Neill, who took a decision from Luana Santos on the prelims, has a 6-month suspension unless she gets clearance from a doctor to return sooner.

The event, which took place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, was headlined by a middleweight title bout between champion Dricus Du Plessis and former champ Israel Adesanya.

Thursday, MMA Junkie acquired a full list of medical suspensions from the commission at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries of Western Australia, which oversaw the event. Check out that full list below. It’s important to note fighters can return prior to the conclusion of the full term if they are cleared by a doctor (unless noted otherwise).

Jesus Aguilar def. Stewart Nicoll

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Stewart Nicoll of Australia is checked by medical staff after being defeated by Jesus Aguilar of Mexico during the Flyweight Bout against during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

[autotag]Jesus Aguilar[/autotag]: 15 days mandatory rest
[autotag]Stewart Nicoll[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Song Kenan def. Ricky Glenn

[autotag]Song Kenan[/autotag]: 21-day suspension
[autotag]Ricky Glenn[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Tom Nolan def. Alex Reyes

[autotag]Tom Nolan[/autotag]: 30-day suspension
[autotag]Alex Reyes[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Jack Jenkins def. Herbert Burns

[autotag]Jack Jenkins[/autotag]: 15 days mandatory rest
[autotag]Herbert Burns[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Casey O’Neill def. Luana Santos

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Casey O’Neill of Australia celebrates after her Women’s Flyweight fight against Luana Santos of Brazil during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

[autotag]Casey O’Neill[/autotag]: 180-day suspension unless cleared by doctor
[autotag]Luana Santos[/autotag]: 15 days mandatory rest

Ricardo Ramos def. Josh Culibao

[autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag]: 30-day suspension
[autotag]Josh Culibao[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa

[autotag]Valter Walker[/autotag]: 15 days mandatory rest
[autotag]Junior Tafa[/autotag]: 15-day suspension

Carlos Prates def. Li Jingliang

China’s Li Jingliang (in red) is knocked out by Brazil’s Carlos Prates in their men’s welterweight division event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 305 at the Perth Arena in Perth on August 18, 2024. (Photo by COLIN MURTY / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo by COLIN MURTY/AFP via Getty Images)

[autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag]: 15-day suspension
[autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag]: 60-day suspension

Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa

[autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag]: 15 days mandatory rest
[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Dan Hooker def. Mateusz Gamrot

[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag]: 45-day suspension
[autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg

[autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag]: 15 days mandatory rest
[autotag]Steve Erceg[/autotag]: 45-day suspension

Dricus Du Plessis def. Israel Adesanya

[autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]: 15 days mandatory rest
[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

UFC 305 winner Jairzinho Rozenstruik sees himself two wins away from heavyweight title contention

Jairzinho Rozenstruik is determined to get back to title contention following his win at UFC 305.

PERTH, Australia – [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] is picking up momentum once again.

Saturday, the heavyweight veteran defeated Tai Tuivasa (15-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC) in a split decision on the main card of UFC 305. It’s the first time Rozenstruik (15-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) has logged back-to-back wins since his initial 2019 run in the promotion that had him in title contention.

Rozenstruik thinks two more wins, which would put him on a four-fight winning streak, and he’s once again knocking on the door of a title shot.

“I definitely think that one more win, and then I start looking into rematches, and whoever is ranked in the top five that I already fought, I’d fight them again, beat them, and I’m in (title) consideration,” Rozenstruik said at the UFC 305 post-fight press conference.

Rozenstruik, who holds notable wins over Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski, would like to face next someone he hasn’t fought. There are two names that have his attention, but he’s open to options.

“I haven’t fought (Marcin) Tybura (or Serghei) Spivac – who else is there?” Rozenstruik said. “First, I’m happy that I’m back in the top 10 again, and I’m looking forward to who’s ahead of me.

“I say it all the time, but it’s how it is: I’m not looking for a particular guy. Most of the time, we don’t know each other. I can say I want to fight him or him, but if a name is at a number that I want, that’s what I want because I want to go up in the rankings and be in consideration for a title. That’s it.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.

UFC 305 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Dricus Du Plessis top earner for entering as champ

Dricus Du Plessis received a card-high $42,000 in Promotional Guidelines Compliance at UFC 305.

PERTH, Australia – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 305 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $243,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 305 took place at RAC Arena in Western Australia. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 305 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Steve Erceg[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Valter Walker[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Junior Tafa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Josh Culibao[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Casey O’Neill[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Luana Santos[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jack Jenkins[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Herbert Burns[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Tom Nolan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alex Reyes[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Song Kenan[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Ricky Glenn[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jesus Aguilar[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Stewart Nicoll[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,158,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $27,895,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.

UFC 305 results: Jairzinho Rozenstruik picks apart Tai Tuivasa, overcomes confusing scorecard

Many viewers were baffled by the judge Howie Booth’s scorecard at UFC 305.

[autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] extended his winning streak to two at UFC 305, and it came at the expense of [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag].

On the main card Saturday at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, Rozenstruik (15-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) defeated Tuivasa (15-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC) by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27).

Judge Howie Booth put forth the dissenting scorecard, a surprising assessment in many viewers’ opinions.

The fight remained standing for its entirety with a lot of striking from distance and occasionally in the pocket. The most action occurred in Round 2, as both men landed hard punches. Tuivasa was bloodied and tried to “Max Holloway” Rozenstruik with a point to the ground in the final seconds, but it resulted in mostly a lot of bobbing and weaving by both fighters.

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Rozenstruik moves to 2-0 in 2024, also holding a win over Shamil Gaziev from March. He’s 2-1 in his most recent three fights.

With the defeat, Tuivasa falls into a five-fight skid. His UFC tenure has been streaky with three wins followed by three losses, then five wins followed by five losses.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 305 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa at UFC 305: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Jairzinho Rozenstruik’s split decision win over Tai Tuivasa at UFC 305.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag]’s split decision win over [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag] at UFC 305 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. (Photos by Paul Kane and Colin Murty, Getty Images; UFC; MMA Junkie)

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC 305

Can Tai Tuivasa end his streak of stoppage losses by defeating Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 305 in Australia?

[autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] and [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 305 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 5-1
UFC main cards, 2024: 69-57-3

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa UFC 305 preview

Rozenstruik (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) has struggled to build momentum, having traded wins and losses since his last streak of victories in 2019. However, Rozenstruik, 36, enters this fight coming off a TKO win over Shamil Gaziev in March. When he wins, he stops his opponent, which bodes well considering Tuivasa (15-7 MMA, 8-7 UFC) has been stopped in four straight. … For the 31-year-old Tuivasa, it could be now or never. A four-fight stoppage losing streak is hard to rebound from, but it starts one fight at a time. Tuivasa last got his hand raised against Derrick Lewis at UFC 271, the last win in a five-fight winning streak.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa UFC 305 expert pick, prediction

Filling out the main card is a heavyweight attraction between Rozenstruik and Tuivasa.

Despite one fighter coming off a main event win while the other finds himself on the wrong end of a four-fight skid, the matchmakers saw fit to forgo the usual standards in order to put together a potential slugfest between the big boys.

Even though this is on the paid portion of the card, we can at least be thankful it’s another heavyweight main event at the Apex. But I digress.

Say what you will about Rozenstruik, but he’s the rightful favorite in this spot given both his momentum and his sharp countering style. That said, seeing Tuivasa finally get back to traveling for training camps gives me hope on his side.

Prior to Tuivasa’s recent losing stretch, the Western Sydney representative was on an impressive winning streak – largely due to the fact that he was training with a professional camp in Dubai.

Should Tuivasa have himself in similar form ahead of this fight, then I believe that he’s livelier than his odds are letting on.

It’s not the most confident pick in the world, but I’ll take Tuivasa to eventually corral Rozenstruik near the cage for an emphatic knockout in Round 2.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa UFC 305 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are siding with the native of Suriname, listing Rozenstruik -225 and Tuivasa +175 via FanDuel.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa UFC 305 start time, how to watch

Rozenstruik and Tuivasa are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 10:45 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.

UFC 305: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 305 odds between Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 3-round heavyweight bout on the main card, Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik meet Saturday at UFC 305 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC 305: Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The early prelims begin at 6:30 p.m., and they can be viewed on ESPN+. The prelims begin at 8 p.m. ET, and they can be viewed on ESPN/ESPN+, while the main card starts at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Records: Tuivasa (15-7-0) | Rozenstruik (14-5-0)

The Aussie Tuivasa is looking to wash away a 4-bout losing skid. He was choked out by Marcin Tybura in Round 1 last time out in mid-March in the main event. Prior to that, he lost to Alexander Volkov in Round 2 at UFC 293, and he was knocked out by Sergei Pavlovich and Ciryl Gane in the previous 2 matches. He needs a win badly, and will have the pro-Australia crowd to spur him on.

Rozenstruik, a.k.a. “Bigi Boy”, picked up the Round 4 KO/TKO win over Shamil Gaziev last time out in the Fight Night main event in early March. Despite the win, he is still just 4-5 across his previous 9 events since getting dropped in 20 seconds against Francis Ngannou at UFC 249.

Rozenstruik enters this fight with a 3-inch reach advantage over the southpaw, while Tuivasa has a slight 3.96-to-3.44 significant strikes landed per minute advantage. Rozenstruik is just a little more accurate at 53.77% with those strikes, while the Aussie comes in at 52.39%.

Neither fighter is keen to get the fight to the mat, as both fighters have 0.00 takedown averages and submission averages, so expect a toe-to-toe brawl.

Watch the early prelims and prelims with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 305: Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Tuivasa +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Rozenstruik -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
  • Over/Under: 1.5 rounds (Over +150 | Under -192)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +400 | No -650)

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UFC 305: Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

It’s a bit of a leap of faith, but back TUIVASA (+190) as the big-time underdog. He will be fighting in front of a raucous RAC Arena in his native Australia, but he is also fighting for his UFC life. He cannot afford a 5th consecutive setback, or it might be the end of him with the promotion.

He’ll have to avoid the long reach of Rozenstruik (-230) if he is able to pull off the upset, as the Suriname fighter has a 3-inch reach advantage. However, the significant strikes landed per minute and the accuracy are basically the same.

The Aussie is 5 years younger, and he’ll have the crowd on his side. It’s now or never for Tuivasa.

Over/Under (O/U)

Neither Under 1.5 Rounds (-192) nor No: Will the fight go the distance? (-650) is worth playing. Both have way too much risk and not nearly enough reward.

A better option for method of victory would be rolling with TUIVASA BY KO/TKO (+270) for a chance to nearly triple up. Neither of these fighters will be able to get the submission, so that method can be mostly ignored.

In addition, Tuivasa hasn’t gone the distance in the past 10 bouts dating back to June 8, 2019, while Rozenstruik hasn’t needed the help of the judges to determine a winner in his past 4 bouts.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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Jairzinho Rozenstruik: Jon Jones is UFC’s real heavyweight champion

Jairzinho Rozenstruik sees Jon Jones as the true heavyweight champion – not Tom Aspinall.

PERTH, Australia – [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] sees [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] as the true heavyweight champion – not [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag].

Many consider interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who’s coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts of Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes, the true champion due to being more active than heavyweight champion Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC).

Not Rozenstruik, though.

“I mean, let’s be honest: Jon Jones is the real champ,” Rozenstruik said at Wednesday’s UFC 305 media day. “Tom did what he’s supposed to do as an interim champ because he’s in line for the next championship fight, but Jon Jones is the real champ – to take nothing away from Tom. He did an amazing job, and that’s what he’s supposed to do.”

Rozenstruik (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will look to string together his first winning streak since 2019 when he meets the skidding Tai Tuivasa (15-7 MMA, 8-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 305 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) main card at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Tuivasa has his back against the wall having lost four straight, but Rozenstruik doesn’t see him changing his approach because of it.

“When I look at Tai, he’s a guy that doesn’t show fear, and that’s what I’m looking at (Saturday),” Rozenstruik said. “If he comes out different, that will be weird. But show no fear – that’s it. When you go forward, he’s dangerous – and that’s what I’m counting on.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.

Tai Tuivasa takes on Jairzinho Rozenstruik in homecoming fight at UFC 305

Tai Tuivasa will have a chance to turn things around on Australian soil at UFC 305 in Perth.

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag] is getting another homecoming fight.

Tuivasa, the heavy-hitting Australian heavyweight, is set to meet [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] on Aug. 17 at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after Tuivasa revealed the matchup in a video on Alex Pereira’s YouTube channel.

It’ll be Tuivasa’s sixth UFC appearance on Australian soil. He’s 2-3 in his previous five bouts there.

Tuivasa, 31, has long been a UFC fan favorite for his stand-and-bang style of fighting, but he’s in dire need of a victory after losing four in a row. At one point, Tuivasa (14-7 MMA, 8-7 UFC) strung together a five-fight winning streak and appeared to be one more victory away from a title shot, but a knockout loss to Ciryl Gane in September 2022 kicked off the worst skid of his career. Since then, Tuivasa also has been finished by Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, and most recently he was choked out by Marcin Tybura this past March.

Rozenstruik, 36, is coming off a fourth-round TKO win over Shamil Gaziev in a headlining performance this past March. Rozenstruik (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) has won two of his past three bouts and is 4-5 since starting his career 10-0 throuh 2019.

With the addition, here is the latest UFC 305 lineup:

  • Champ Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya – for middleweight title
  • Steve Erceg vs. Kai Kara-France
  • Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes
  • Tereza Bleda vs. Casey O’Neill
  • Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.