Tai Tuivasa
Bam Bam
Australia
Losing streak hits seven
Tuivasa lost to Louie Sutherland via unanimous decision (26-30, 26-30, 26-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
The UFC gave Tuivasa arguably the softest matchup possible in hopes of him snapping a six-fight losing streak, and it still wasn't meant to be. It goes without saying that giving up five takedowns and 11:45 worth of control time to an opponent that entered with an 0-2 record in the UFC simply cannot happen. Tuivasa was always a knockout-or-bust brawler, and the power has evaporated in recent years, making it impossible for him to win fights. His massive popularity aside, it would seem to be nearly impossible for the company to run a fighter that has lost seven in a row back out there. Tuivasa's last win was a knockout of Derrick Lewis on February 12, 2022.
The UFC gave Tuivasa arguably the softest matchup possible in hopes of him snapping a six-fight losing streak, and it still wasn't meant to be. It goes without saying that giving up five takedowns and 11:45 worth of control time to an opponent that entered with an 0-2 record in the UFC simply cannot happen. Tuivasa was always a knockout-or-bust brawler, and the power has evaporated in recent years, making it impossible for him to win fights. His massive popularity aside, it would seem to be nearly impossible for the company to run a fighter that has lost seven in a row back out there. Tuivasa's last win was a knockout of Derrick Lewis on February 12, 2022.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Will fight at Perth after all
Taivasa will fight fellow heavyweight Louie Sutherland at UFC Perth on May 2, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Initially, Tuivasa and Sean Sharaf were scheduled for UFC Perth before the latter withdrew from their fight because of a fractured nose. Bam Bam will get a new opponent, 0-2 in two UFC fights, meaning someone's losing streak can finally end at Perth.
Initially, Tuivasa and Sean Sharaf were scheduled for UFC Perth before the latter withdrew from their fight because of a fractured nose. Bam Bam will get a new opponent, 0-2 in two UFC fights, meaning someone's losing streak can finally end at Perth.
Homecoming fight in jeopardy
Tuivasa will not fight Sean Sharaf at UFC Perth on May 2, according to Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Tuivasa was scheduled against Sharaf for the event until the latter recently fractured his nose. The former, a native Australian, may not see his next homecoming if the UFC cannot find him a new opponent on under two weeks' notice. Tuivasa is trying to bounce back from a six-fight losing streak.
Tuivasa was scheduled against Sharaf for the event until the latter recently fractured his nose. The former, a native Australian, may not see his next homecoming if the UFC cannot find him a new opponent on under two weeks' notice. Tuivasa is trying to bounce back from a six-fight losing streak.
Facing Sharaf in Perth
Tuivasa will take on Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight bout at UFC Perth on May 2, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Tuivasa has lost a staggering six straight bouts; his last win in the promotion came in February of 2022. His opponent Sharaf, meanwhile, is winless in his UFC career, sporting an 0-2 record. Something has to give here.
Tuivasa has lost a staggering six straight bouts; his last win in the promotion came in February of 2022. His opponent Sharaf, meanwhile, is winless in his UFC career, sporting an 0-2 record. Something has to give here.
Losing streak hits six
Tuivasa lost to Tallison Teixeira via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 325 on Saturday in Sydney, Australia.
ANALYSIS
The UFC gave Tuivasa a spot on the main card of a numbered event here despite the fact he entered having lost five straight, including four via stoppage. He looked awful once again, but likely should have pulled off the miracle victory had he not shown some of the worst fight IQ in recent memory. Tuivasa managed to drain Teixeira's gas tank despite losing the first two rounds. He had his exhausted opponent on the ropes through Round 3 and almost certainly would have earned the stoppage if he didn't foolishly clinch over and over. The inexplicable decision allowed Teixeira to hang on until the final bell. Tuivasa's last win came against Derrick Lewis in February 2022. That is not a misprint. We are going on four years. It seems impossible to believe the company would run him back out there.
The UFC gave Tuivasa a spot on the main card of a numbered event here despite the fact he entered having lost five straight, including four via stoppage. He looked awful once again, but likely should have pulled off the miracle victory had he not shown some of the worst fight IQ in recent memory. Tuivasa managed to drain Teixeira's gas tank despite losing the first two rounds. He had his exhausted opponent on the ropes through Round 3 and almost certainly would have earned the stoppage if he didn't foolishly clinch over and over. The inexplicable decision allowed Teixeira to hang on until the final bell. Tuivasa's last win came against Derrick Lewis in February 2022. That is not a misprint. We are going on four years. It seems impossible to believe the company would run him back out there.
Gets another shot
Tuivasa will take on Tallison Teixeira in a heavyweight matchup at UFC 325 on Jan. 31, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Marketability will take you far in prize fighting, and perhaps there's no better example than Tuivasa, who has lost five fights in a row and is still getting another chance on a big-ticket event. He now draws Teixeira, who is a kill-or-be-killed fighter with a 1-1 record in the UFC. All three of Teixeira's appearances (including on DWCS) have ended within two minutes, so look for this to be a short affair with one man likely falling quickly.
Marketability will take you far in prize fighting, and perhaps there's no better example than Tuivasa, who has lost five fights in a row and is still getting another chance on a big-ticket event. He now draws Teixeira, who is a kill-or-be-killed fighter with a 1-1 record in the UFC. All three of Teixeira's appearances (including on DWCS) have ended within two minutes, so look for this to be a short affair with one man likely falling quickly.