Over the past seven years, Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has become a fan favorite in the UFC, delivering unforgettable performances inside the Octagon.
Tuivasa burst onto the scene with back-to-back first-round finishes, but his true rise to stardom began in 2021 when he secured three jaw-dropping knockout victories within just 10 months.
Tuivasa’s appeal goes beyond his heavy hands; it’s what comes next that fans love. After knocking out his opponent, "Bam Bam" climbs atop the Octagon for his now-iconic “Shoey" celebration, where he chugs a beer from a shoe—yes, you read that right!
However, after his first UFC main event against Ciryl Gane, Tuivasa has struggled to recapture his previous momentum. He’s aiming for a comeback with a victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya in Perth, Western Australia.
Before Tuivasa returns to the Octagon this Saturday, let’s revisit some of the most electrifying moments from “Bam Bam’s” career, available to watch on UFC FIGHT PASS:
Tuivasa KO’s Derrick Lewis in Houston UFC 271
Adesanya vs Whittaker 2 | February 12, 2022
In 2022, Tuivasa faced Derrick Lewis in “The Black Beast’s” hometown of Houston. Despite the hostile crowd, Tuivasa walked out to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper, showing he was ready to entertain.
The first round saw Lewis gain the upper hand with a takedown and brutal ground-and-pound. But Tuivasa weathered the storm and turned the tables in the second round with a stunning right hook, followed by a short elbow that sent Lewis crashing to the canvas.
The Return of the “Shoey”
UFC 264: Poirier vs McGregor 3 | July 10, 2021
After suffering three consecutive losses by the end of 2019, Tuivasa was determined to bounce back in 2020. He did just that by finishing Stefan Struve and Harry Hunsucker. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans missed out on his signature “Shoey” celebration.
Everything changed at UFC 264 when Tuivasa fought former NFL player Greg Hardy on a Conor McGregor pay-per-view card. The fight lasted just over a minute, with Tuivasa recovering from a big shot by Hardy to land a left hook that ended the fight. With fans back in the arena, Tuivasa celebrated with his famous “Shoey,” marking his return to the spotlight.
Buzzer-Beater Knockout on Fight Island
UFC 254: Khabib vs Gaethje | October 24, 2020
Following a year-long hiatus after three straight defeats, Tuivasa made his comeback at Fight Island against Stefan Struve. Tuivasa knew he needed to control the range against the towering Struve, and he did just that with a series of leg kicks and clinches.
As the first round was coming to a close, Tuivasa landed a powerful uppercut that sent Struve to the canvas, finishing the fight with just one second remaining on the clock.
A Knockout Debut in Sydney
UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs Tybura | November 19, 2017
Tuivasa made his UFC debut in his hometown of Sydney, Australia, against Rashad Coulter. The young heavyweight showcased his potential early on, landing a crippling leg kick followed by a flying knee that knocked out Coulter in spectacular fashion. This debut knockout was a sign of the exciting future that lay ahead for Tuivasa in the UFC.
Don't miss UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya, live from RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, on August 17, 2024. Prelims start at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, while the main card kicks off live on PPV at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT