The octagon returns to the confines of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 239, which streams on ESPN+ and features a heavyweight showdown in the main event.
Knockout specialist Tai Tuivasa (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) will attempt to break a three-fight losing skid when he takes on the always-tough Marcin Tybura (24-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) in a five-round bout that will determine which man keeps their head above water in the divisional rankings.
For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for UFC Fight Night 239.
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Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura
Tai Tuivasa
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Tai Tuivasa
Tuivasa is 5-6 in his past 11 fights after starting his career 10-0.
Tuivasa has earned 14 of his 15 career victories by stoppage. He’s finished each of his seven UFC wins by knockout.
Tuivasa is one of two heavyweights in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a flying knee. Fabricio Werdum also accomplished the feat.
Tuivasa is one of four heavyweights in UFC history to earn knockouts stemming from a knee and an elbow strike. Alistair Overeem, Cheick Kongo and Walt Harris also accomplished the feat.
Marcin Tybura
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Marcin Tybura
Tybura’s seven decision victories in UFC heavyweight competition are second-most in divisional history behind Andre Arlovski (12).
Tybura defends 79.4 percent of opponent takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa
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Bryan Battle
Bryan Battle (10-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is 3-1 since he dropped to the UFC welterweight division in August 2022.
Ovince Saint Preux vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
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Ovince Saint Preux
Ovince Saint Preux (26-17 MMA, 14-12 UFC) competes in his 25th UFC light heavyweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.
Saint Preux’s 14 victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are fourth-most in divisional history behind Jon Jones (20), Glover Teixeira (16) and Ryan Bader (15).
Saint Preux’s 11 stoppage victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Teixeira (13).
Saint Preux’s five submission victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Teixeira (seven) and Paul Craig (six).
Saint Preux’s four submission victories by Von Flue choke are the most in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce combined organizational history.
Saint Preux’s four submission victories by Von Flue choke are the most in UFC history.
Saint Preux has earned four of the eight Von Flue choke submissions in UFC history. Jason Von Flue, Jordan Rinaldi, Alonzo Menifield and Cory McKenna also won with the technique.
Saint Preux vs. Yushin Okami at UFC Fight Night 117 was just the second fight in modern UFC history to feature zero combined significant strike attempts. Ilir Latifi vs. Cyrille Diabate at UFC on FUEL TV 6 was the other.
Saint Preux’s eight fight-night bonuses for UFC light heavyweight bouts are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Teixeira (10).
Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) earned a knockout at UFC 259 despite a -64 deficit in significant strikes landed, the biggest statistical comeback for a light heavyweight bout and third overall in UFC history.
Pannie Kianzad vs. Macy Chiasson
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Pannie Kianzad
Pannie Kianzad (16-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has earned 12 of her 15 career victories by decision. That includes all five of her UFC wins.
Macy Chiasson (8-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Sept. 10, 2022. The 553-day layoff is the longest of her more than six-year career.
Chiasson absorbs just 2.1 significant strikes per minute in UFC women’s bantamweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bryan Barberena
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Gerald Meerschaert
Gerald Meerschaert (35-17 MMA, 10-9 UFC) has earned 32 of his 34 career victories by stoppage. That includes all 10 of his UFC wins.
Meerschaert's 10 stoppage victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (11).
Meerschaert’s nine submission victories in UFC middleweight competition are most in divisional history.
Meerschaert’s nine submission victories in UFC competition are the sixth-most in company history behind Charles Oliveira (16), Jim Miller (12), Demian Maia (11), Nate Diaz (10) and Royce Gracie (10).
Bryan Barberena’s (18-11 MMA, 9-9 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn't earned a victory since July 2022.
Barberena was unsuccessful in his middleweight debut at UFC Fight Night 224 in July. He can become the 18th fighter in company history to win in three divisions with a win.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 239.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
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