Marcin Tybura Says There’s ‘No Secret’ to Recent Resurgence: ‘I’m Trying Harder Than Others’

Over the past year and a half, Marcin Tybura has authored one hell of a comeback story.

After losing four of five UFC appearances from 2017 to 2019, the 35-year-old Pole has quietly crafted a five-bout winning streak within the Las Vegas-based promotion. Tybura’s latest effort saw him survive an early blitz from Walt Harris before rallying for a first-round technical knockout victory in the UFC Fight Night 189 co-headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Tybura’s chin held up during an initial burst from Harris, and once he was able to take “The Big Ticket” to the canvas, it was academic from there. The former M-1 Global champion was able to take his opponent’s back, flatten him out and unload with punches to force the stoppage at the 4:06 mark of Round 1.

“I didn’t get to show everything. When he put in everything he had, I knew he didn’t have anything else,” Tybura said. “I knew I would finish the fight.”

Tybura doesn’t claim to have any special recipe for his late-career resurgence. He says it’s simply hard work that has made him an underrated contender in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

“People ask me if there’s a secret to it. There isn’t,” he said. “I made some adjustments in the gym. I did my mental work, my breathing exercises—everything comes together. I’m trying harder than others. That pays off. That’s why I’m here.”

Even at this point in his career, Tybura acknowledges that growth is an ongoing process.

“When I started making changes, I started building confidence about fighting the top fighters in the world,” he said. “Right now I feel I’m on the way to doing that. I’m a patient guy and know I need to build more skills, but I will get there.”

His recent streak includes victories over the likes of Harris, Ben Rothwell, Greg Hardy and Sergey Spivak. It’s not a star-studded ledger, but it does have him in position for a more high-profile bout in his next UFC appearance. An exciting fight against Harris didn’t hurt his stock, either.

“That was a brawl. I think people liked it and I will receive good fights after it,” he said. “I would like a main event with a Top 5 fighter.”