Tai Tuivasa is a unique figure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight division, pairing an affable personality with a killer instinct. At 30 years old, the Australian fighter is seeking his first win in over 18 months as he prepares to face former M-1 Global and Bellator MMA champion Alexander Volkov in the UFC 293 co-main event on Saturday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Tuivasa enters the Octagon after back-to-back defeats, having last competed on Dec. 3 when he suffered a 54-second knockout loss to Sergei Pavlovich at UFC on ESPN 42.
As Tuivasa moves closer to his battle with Volkov, it’s worth revisiting five defining moments in his career up until this point:
1. Taking Flight
In his UFC debut, Tuivasa captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. Nicknamed “Bam Bam,” he improved his record to a perfect 7-0 by defeating Rashad Coulter with a flying knee in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 121 heavyweight prelim on Nov. 18, 2017, at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. The impressive victory earned him a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus, and marked him as a prospect to watch in the future.
2. A Step Too Far
Former UFC heavyweight titleholder Junior dos Santos handed Tuivasa his first career loss in their UFC Fight Night 142 headliner on Dec. 1, 2018, at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide, Australia. Despite a strong start, Tuivasa ultimately fell to Dos Santos’ counter right hook, followed by a barrage of punches that forced the referee to intervene.
3. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Facing significant height and reach disadvantages, Tuivasa re-established his presence in the UFC heavyweight division by taking out Stefan Struve with first-round punches during the UFC 254 undercard on Oct. 24, 2020, at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The victory ended a three-fight losing streak for “Bam Bam,” marking his first win in over two years.
4. Fighting Fire with Fire
Tuivasa earned a memorable win over former Legacy Fighting Championship titleholder Derrick Lewis in the UFC 271 co-main event on Feb. 12, 2022, at the Toyota Center in Houston. The Australian fighter finished the bout with a standing elbow in the second round, showcasing his resilience and striking power.
5. Out on His Shield
In a thrilling battle, Gane shut down Tuivasa with punches in the third round of their UFC Fight Night 209 headliner on Sept. 3, 2022, at Accor Arena in Paris. The loss, Tuivasa’s first in nearly three years, highlighted the Australian’s toughness and heart, as he gave Gane a difficult challenge before ultimately succumbing to his opponent’s striking prowess.