Tai Tuivasa: Back in the Octagon, Aiming for Heads and a Heavyweight Comeback
Few heavyweights have made as much noise in the UFC as Tai Tuivasa. From iconic walkouts to his signature 'shoey' celebrations, "Bam Bam" quickly became a fan favorite. But after a tough period, he's back, and he's got his sights set on the top of the heavyweight division.
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Tuivasa's rise was meteoric. He was a must-see attraction, winning fights and climbing the ranks. In 2022, he reached No. 3, earning a shot at Ciryl Gane. Although their fight was awarded Fight Of The Night, it didn't go his way. Now, after some time away, he's ready to make another run.
"The break was good," Tuivasa shared, "I put my feet up, put the weight on and thought about a lot of stuff. But now I’m ready to get back to work.”
His return is set for UFC 325 in Sydney, where he'll face Tallison Teixeira. With the heavyweight division needing a spark, Tuivasa's return couldn't be better timed.
"The losses take a toll," he admits, "but now that I’ve had the break…they’re just little lessons. I think I’ve had enough time to think about what I’m gonna do next – and how I’m gonna be next. I’m going to get this win out of the way. Then the heavyweight division is wide open.”
During his time off, Tuivasa kept busy. He won The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition with his brother and donated the $100,000 prize to charity. He also played rugby, and while some noticed the extra weight, those days are over. "I’m off the piss now," he jokes, now training in Dubai, "I owe this year to myself, so I’m gonna go hard.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Tuivasa's next opponent, Teixiera, is the tallest fighter in the UFC, standing at 6’7” (or 6’8”).
Tuivasa remains unfazed. "No, I fought Stefan Struve and he was 7’ tall,” he says. "Small, tall - they all go down the same. That’s going to be the plan for [Teixeira], too. Plus, I’ve been training with a bunch of taller boys over here, so I’ll be ready.”
Tuivasa has been sparring with former rival Gane. "I’m not surprised at all - Cyril’s a great fighter. I do think I belong up there as well. I’m probably a bit different to those fellas, but I definitely belong in this cage.”
When asked about his return bout, Tuivasa's answer was clear: "I’m not going out there for three rounds – I’m going for heads.”
And this is the part most people miss... Could Tuivasa's return signal a new era for the heavyweight division? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you think he can make a successful comeback? What are your predictions for his fight against Teixeira?
