Share this article
The Octagon returns to the UFC Apex venue in Las Vegas on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 239 featuring a heavyweight showdown in the main event, streaming on ESPN+.
Knockout specialist Tai Tuivasa (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) lost three of his five fights against the always tough Marcin Tybura (24-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC). trying to break the slippage. A round-bout to determine who will maintain first place in the division rankings.
For the numbers behind the headliner and the rest of the card, check out MMA Junkie's pre-event facts for UFC Fight Night 239 below.
* * * *
Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura
Thailand Tuivasa
Tuivasa is 5-6 in his last 11 fights after starting his career 10-0.
Tuivasa has won 14 of his 15 career wins during suspensions. All seven of his wins in the UFC have come by knockout.
Tuivasa is one of only two heavyweights in UFC history to win by knockout with a flying knee. Fabricio Werdum also achieved this feat.
Tuivasa is one of only four heavyweights in UFC history to win by knockout with knee and elbow strikes. Alistair Overeem, Cheik Kongo, and Walt Harris also achieved this feat.
marcin tybura
Tybura's seven decision wins in UFC heavyweight bouts are the second-most in the division's history, behind Andre Arlovski (12).
Tybura has blocked 79.4 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight bouts, the highest percentage of any active fighter in the division.
Brian Battle vs. Ange Russa
Brian Battle (10-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is 3-1 since dropping to UFC welterweight in August 2022.
Ovence Saint Preux vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
Ovance Saint Preux (26-17 MMA, 14-12 UFC) will compete in his 25th UFC light heavyweight bout, the most in the division's history.
Saint Preux's 14 wins in UFC light heavyweight bouts rank fourth in division history behind Jon Jones (20), Glover Teixeira (16) and Ryan Bader (15).
Saint Preux's 11 stoppage victories in UFC light heavyweight bouts are the second-most in divisional history behind Teixeira (13).
Saint Preux's five submission wins in UFC light heavyweight bouts are tied for third in division history behind Teixeira (seven) and Paul Craig (six).
Saint Preux's four submission wins by von Flew choke are the most in the history of the combined UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce organization.
Saint Preux's four submission wins by von Flew choke are the most in UFC history.
Saint Preux has won four of Von Flew's eight choke submissions in UFC history. Jason von Frew, Jordan Rinaldi, Alonzo Menifield and Cory McKenna also won with technique.
Saint Preux vs. Yushin Okami at UFC Fight Night 117 was only the second fight in modern UFC history to have zero significant strike attempts. The other was Ilir Latifi vs. Cyril Diabaté at UFC on FUEL TV 6.
Saint Preux's eight fight night bonuses for UFC light heavyweight bouts are tied for second in division history behind Teixeira (10).
Kennedy Nizechuk (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) won by knockout at UFC 259 despite being down -64 in significant strikes. His was statistically the greatest comeback for a light heavyweight bout and the third overall in UFC history.
Panny Kianzado vs. Macy Chiasson
Panny Kianzado (16-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has won 12 of his 15 career wins by decision. This includes all five of her wins in the UFC.
Macy Chiasson (8-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will return to competition for the first time since September 10, 2022. Her 553-day layoff is the longest of her more than six-year career.
Chiasson absorbs just 2.1 significant strikes per minute in a UFC women's bantamweight bout, the highest rate of any active fighter in the division.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Brian Barberena
Gerald Meerschaert (35-17 MMA, 10-9 UFC) has earned 32 of his 34 career wins by stoppage. This includes all 10 of his wins in the UFC.
Meerschaert's 10 stoppage wins in UFC middleweight bouts are tied for second in division history behind Anderson Silva (11).
Meerschaert's nine submission wins in UFC middleweight bouts are the most in the history of the division.
Meerschaert's nine submission wins in UFC competition are over Charles Oliveira (16), Jim Miller (12), Demian Maia (11), Nate Diaz (10) and Royce Gracie ( This is the sixth record in the company's history, following the previous record (10 times).
Brian Barberena (18-11 MMA, 9-9 UFC)'s three-fight losing streak is the longest of his career. He hasn't won since July 2022.
Barberena made his middleweight debut at UFC Fight Night 224 in July, but it was unsuccessful. If he wins, he could become the 18th fighter in the company's history to hold a title in three weight divisions.
For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC Fight Night 239 event hub.
UFC Research Analyst and Live Stats Producer Michael Carroll contributed to this article. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and other content with mixed martial arts fans.