Tuivasa's worrying two-year UFC drought continues after brutal first ...

Tai Tuivasa could not turn his bright start into a victory after he was submitted by Marcin Tybura in the first round of their heavyweight encounter at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Tuivasa entered the bout on the back of a three-fight losing streak, with all three coming via stoppages (two KO’s and one submission).

UFC 300: PEREIRA V HILL | SUN 14 APR | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the new exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View events!

But unfortunately for the Western Sydney product, that streak became four when he lost consciousness due to Tybura’s rear-naked choke in the first round.

Tuivasa started brightly against the Pole, busting him open with a bruising elbow and seemed to be landing relatively comfortably in the opening minutes.

However, Tuivasa’s fight took a turn for the worse once Tybura ducked underneath one of the Australian’s wild hooks and took him down to the canvas.

From there, it was one-way traffic as Tybura eventually took Tuivasa’s back.

Tybura unleashed a barrage of strikes which Tuivasa struggled to block and although he tried to shake off the Pole, he was unable to do so.

MORE COVERAGE

‘People will want to kill me’: Aussie’s ‘Rocky moment’ arrives as shock UFC title bout made official

Meet the ‘Steve Carrell lookalike’ Aussie in line for bombshell UFC title shot

It wasn’t long before Tybura locked in a rear-naked choke and had Tuivasa gasping for air, either.

Despite Tuivasa wriggling his neck to try and get some air, Tybura soon tightened the grip as the Aussie’s arm went limp, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight with 52 seconds left in the first round.

The result means Tuivasa has now not won a fight in the UFC since his stunning knockout of Derrick Lewis back in February 2022 as he now drops to a record of 14-7.

Meanwhile, Tybura bounced back after his loss to Tom Aspinall in July last year and improved to 25-8, with his submission victory over Tuivasa the 16th time he has finished an opponent.