Sergei Spivac took a significant step forward in his UFC career by submitting Marcin Tybura in under two minutes during their UFC Fight Night headliner. This victory not only showcased Spivac's impressive skill set but also served as a moment of redemption, reversing his previous unanimous decision loss to Tybura in February 2020.
Spivac's professional record now stands at an impressive 17-5 following this bout. The Moldovan fighter demonstrated his grappling prowess by securing a textbook armbar on Tybura, leading to a verbal submission from his opponent. This submission marked a notable event in the UFC, being the first armbar submission in the heavyweight division since Fabricio Werdum's victory over Alexander Gustafsson four years ago.
"I trained this a lot. To be honest, I was quite nervous because I couldn't train for the last few weeks due to injury," Spivac revealed post-fight. His nerves, however, did not show in the octagon as he executed the maneuver with precision and authority. Spivac added confidently, "That was his time and this is my time."
Leading into the fight, Spivac faced tough competition throughout his career, with only two losses in the past three years, both against top contenders Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall. His consistent performances are likely to earn him a move up the rankings, with many anticipating that he will take over Tybura's No. 8 spot in the official UFC heavyweight rankings.
On the other side, Marcin Tybura, who holds a professional record of 25-9, had been on a strong run before encountering Spivac. Tybura boasted an 8-2 record in his last ten fights and had most recently secured a first-round submission victory over Tai Tuivasa. However, Spivac’s skill and determination proved too much for him to handle on this occasion.
This victory for Spivac not only underscores his growing stature within the heavyweight division but also highlights his potential to challenge the upper echelon of the UFC ranks. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Spivac leverages this win to further his career.