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Aussies get their chance to be lords of the ring with the UFC

Aussie Tai Tuivasa is looking to make his mark in the UFC this weekend.

Aussie Tai Tuivasa is looking to make his mark in the UFC this weekend. Photo: AAP/Richard Wainwright

Opportunity knocks for Australians Tai Tuivasa and Megan Anderson on this weekend’s huge UFC card in Chicago.

Tuivasa can take the next step towards the millionaire’s status he’s sure he will reach and Anderson finally gets a chance to show Australian TV watchers what she can do.

While Australian middleweight world champion Robert Whittaker headlines the card with his rematch against Yoel Romero, Tuivasa and Anderson each get the opportunity to earn major exposure.

Both are on the pay TV section of the 13-fight card that will be shown live in Australia on Main Event and across the world.

Former Sydney Roosters under-20 rugby league player Tuivasa has already generated buzz by winning all nine of his MMA fights by KO, including his only two UFC bouts.

While he loves to party and throw out one-liners, Tuivasa is deadly serious about being a big player in the UFC and cashing in on his explosive striking skills.

“I’m going to win millions of dollars,” said Tuivasa, who fights former heavyweight world champion Andrei Arlovski.

“I know what it’s like to have nothing, but I’m doing this for a reason, I’m not here to f*** around.”

Tuivasa’s resolve has been tested by setbacks including a serious knee injury which delayed his UFC debut for a year.

“I couldn’t work, I had no money, I had no income, it was a real low,'” Tuivasa said.

“The struggle for a lot of people is having confidence, but for me that’s one thing I’ve never struggled with, I’m a pretty out there guy, I’m pretty confident.”

Kansas City-based Queenslander Anderson was featherweight champion in the Invicta FC organisation, but her bouts were only shown online and she hasn’t been sighted on Australian TV screens.

That will change on Sunday when she makes her UFC debut at featherweight against former bantamweight world champion Holly Holm.

“I’ve had people that I haven’t spoken to in eight to 10 years messaging me, wishing me good luck,” Anderson said.

“For me that blows my mind and it’s humbling.”

American Holm has lost four of her last five fights but she will always be remembered in Australia for her upset win over previously unbeaten Ronda Rousey in Melbourne in 2015.

“I think back to that time it was obviously a life changing moment, so it’s always going to be there in my mind,'” Holm said.

 – AAP

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