Tai Tuivasa
"Bam Bam"Career Averages
Win Methods (8)
Loss Methods (10)
Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 27 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Louie Sutherland | 0 | 21 of 25 | 84% | 111 of 130 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 0 | 2 | 11:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Louie Sutherland | 0 | 9 of 12 | 75% | 32 of 38 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 3:40 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Louie Sutherland | 0 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 42 of 48 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:36 | |
| 3 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Louie Sutherland | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 37 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 3:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 13 of 22 | 59% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 6 of 8 |
| Louie Sutherland | 21 of 25 | 84% | 15 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 10 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 |
| Louie Sutherland | 9 of 12 | 75% | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 3 of 4 | 75% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Louie Sutherland | 7 of 7 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | |
| 3 | Tai Tuivasa | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Louie Sutherland | 5 of 6 | 83% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The main card opener features a couple of big men in desperate need of a win, in the form of Tuivasa (14-9; 8-9 UFC), who is on a four-fight skid, and Sutherland (10-5; 0-2 UFC), who is winless in two tries in the Octagon. The third man in the cage will be Rich Mitchell. The heavyweights touch gloves, then set up in matchin orthodox stances. Sutherland touches with a calf kick, then another. Sutherland drops levels and rushes forward in search of a takedown. Tuivasa allows himself to be backed up to the fence, where he defends with a front headlock. Sutherland gives up on the takedown and they go back to work on the feet. Sutherland changes levels again and puts Tuivasa on his seat with a double-leg. Tuivasa refuses to concede the takedown, however, scooting on his butt all the way to the fence, grabbing another guillotine and returning to his feet. Tuivasa shucks him off and connects with a flurry of punches on the break. Sutherland is hurt, and Tuivasa nails him with an elbow to the head, followed by a knee. Sutherland grabs hold of Tuivasa and hustles him to the ground with what amounts to a shove, then takes top position. At the midpoint of Round 1, it’s Sutherland on top, dropping short punches and elbows. Tuivasa is working to defend his face and get back to his feet, but Sutherland is heavy on top and very methodical, pulling the Aussie’s base out from under him. Under a minute to go and the Perth crowd grows restive, but Sutherland is plenty active on top, throwing constant punches from half guard. The horn sounds. 10-9 Sutherland.
Round 2
Sutherland lands first with an inside low kick. Tuivasa responds with a leg kick of his own. Sutherland shoots for a takedown but Tuivasa uses an underhook to stand him back up as they collide with the fence. Sutherland re-shoots and gets the takedown. Tuivasa powers to his feet and Sutherland tosses him back down, then follows, landing in side control. Sutherland is heavy on top, dropping short punches to the body while keeping within striking distance of an arm-triangle choke. Sutherland grinds an elbow into Tuivasa’s head. The partisan crowd is chanting “stand ‘em up” despite Sutherland being in side control, but he slides into full mount. Sutherland continues to deliver a steady stream of short punches and elbows while moving back to side control. Tuivasa stands back up with 90 seconds left, but Sutherland drives him back to the ground a moment later. Tuivasa is turtled at the base of the fence, controlling Sutherland’s left hand with both of his own. Sutherland sinks a single hook, moves to Tuivasa’s back and appears to be hunting for a choke. Tuivasa bucks straight into a guilllotine attempt a few seconds before the horn. 10-9 Sutherland.
Round 3
Sutherland is almost certainly up two rounds to none as the heavies come out for Round 3. Both men actually look pretty fresh considering what a grueling fight it’s been, but Sutherland quickly gets another easy takedown. “The Vanilla Gorilla” sets up in side control, and Mitchell is warning him to stay busy. Sutherland is staying busy, as he did in Rounds 1 and 2, throwing a steady stream of strikes while looking to gradually move to an even more dominant position. Tuivasa bucks, scrambles and gets to all fours, where Sutherland moves to back control, but Tuivasa goes to his back and regains half guard. Sutherland is heavy on top, pelting Tuivasa with little right hands, flattening him out and looking to pass his guard. With a minute to go, Mitchell stands them up. Sutherland tries some kind of spin or roll, collides with a Tuivasa knee and falls to his back. Tuivasa pounces and taked top position, hammering Sutherland with a couple of big punches, then nails him with a flagrantly illegal knee to the head while they are grounded. A few seconds later the final horn sounds, while Mitchell instructs the judges to deduct a point from Tuivasa for the foul. 10-8 Sutherland (30-26 Sutherland).
The Official Result
Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Tai Tuivasa confidently, calling Louie Sutherland a modern-day Tank Abbott with no skill. He believes Tai's power and experience will overwhelm Sutherland, who was knocked out by Brando Peričić. He hopes Tai's cardio is better after a long layoff and expects a finish.
Big Brady picks Tai Tuivasa to win by decision, though he acknowledges Tuivasa's long losing streak and lack of career seriousness. He notes that Sutherland is a step down in competition and that Tuivasa should win, but expects the fight to get 'greasy' and go the distance. Brady is hesitant due to Tuivasa's recent form.
Cody picks Tuivasa by knockout, noting Sutherland's poor UFC performances and likely lack of drug testing. He believes Tuivasa's power and durability will be too much for Sutherland.
Daniel Vreeland picks Tai Tuivasa to snap his losing streak, but is hesitant due to the risk of laying chalk on a six-fight skid. He believes Tuivasa's experience and power give him the edge, but warns that a loss would be embarrassing for bettors.
Tuivasa has a striking advantage but his ground game is terrible. Sutherland is not a good offensive wrestler but could still take Tuivasa down. Tuivasa's odds have declined and offer no value. The fight likely ends inside the distance but no bet recommended.
The host picks the underdog Sutherland, believing his speed and grappling advantage will allow him to take Tuivasa down and grind out a decision. He notes Tuivasa's poor form and lack of investment, while Sutherland is more serious. The host acknowledges Tuivasa's knockout power but thinks Sutherland can avoid it.
Paul picks Tuivasa, agreeing that Sutherland is a step down and that Tuivasa's KO prop is fair. He notes Sutherland's deflated physique and poor durability.
The MMA Guru picks Tai Tuivasa, believing he is more built for heavyweight and will win a messy brawl. He notes Tuivasa's heart and ability to get back up from bad positions. He thinks Junior Tafa is tailor-made for Tuivasa and predicts a first-round win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tallison Teixeira | 0 | 42 of 58 | 72% | 56 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:58 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 51 of 74 | 68% | 117 of 144 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 7:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tallison Teixeira | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 19 of 23 | 82% | 51 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:57 | |
| 2 | Tallison Teixeira | 0 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 17 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 21 of 31 | 67% | 43 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:01 | |
| 3 | Tallison Teixeira | 0 | 27 of 36 | 75% | 36 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 23 of 32 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tallison Teixeira | 42 of 58 | 72% | 21 of 36 | 10 of 10 | 11 of 12 | 27 of 35 | 11 of 17 | 4 of 6 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 51 of 74 | 68% | 39 of 60 | 10 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 26 of 47 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 23 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tallison Teixeira | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 19 of 23 | 82% | 16 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 15 | |
| 2 | Tallison Teixeira | 13 of 18 | 72% | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 9 | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 21 of 31 | 67% | 18 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 8 | |
| 3 | Tallison Teixeira | 27 of 36 | 75% | 17 of 26 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 17 | 9 of 14 | 3 of 5 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 11 of 20 | 55% | 5 of 13 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Teixeira (-298), Tuivasa (+240)
Round 1
On the main card of this numbered event, two heavyweights clash having gone 0-6 in their last six outings. Granted, five of those six recent defeats are on the ledger of “Bam Bam” Tuivasa (14-8, 8-8 UFC), but Teixeira (8-1, 1-1 UFC) was also felled his last time out by a man Tuivasa crushed in Derrick Lewis. A winking referee Marc Goddard knows these big men will likely get things done before the judges get involved, steeling himself while they tap gloves together.
Tuivasa comes right after the taller Brazilian, and although he bullies Teixeira to the wall, he quickly finds that Teixeira has a double-leg takedown waiting for him. “Xicao” takes the Aussie right off his feet, and he starts pounding on Tuivasa with his fists. Teixeira changes to elbows, prompting Tuivasa to hurry himself to his knees with his side against the cage so that he does not take strikes to both sides of his head. Teixeira tries to hold “Bam Bam” down, but he cannot, so he settles to knee Tuivasa in the gut. Teixeira uses a body lock to trip out Tuivasa, and he climbs into full mount and starts lashing down with elbows. Tuivasa turns to his side, and Teixeira drills him with a ground strike or two until Tuivasa gets wrist control to stop the pounding. Tuivasa looks to his corner for advice, as the 6-foot-8 Brazilian holds him down in a three-quarter mount position.
Teixeira hacks down with elbows to the top and side of the head, and Tuivasa calmly hangs out on bottom until Teixeira loads up with a few more punches. Teixeira lands an elbow on the back of the head when beating down Tuivasa, who looks unconcerned but otherwise fairly helpless. Teixeira controls with his left arm while clubbing Tuivasa with his right, and he mixes in an elbow or two for good measure. Tuivasa sits up and slugs Teixeira off of him, and he takes a knee on the jaw and goes right after Teixeira. Tuivasa loads up on a big right hand, and Teixeira grapples him in the clinch to stop him from further strikes. Tuivasa imposes his weight on the taller man and gets in a knee or two, and he headbutts the Brazilian under the chin. To the surprise of many, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Teixeira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Teixeira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Teixeira
Round 2
An energized Tuivasa rushes out of his corner, walking through a front kick so he can sling a big right hand. Teixeira uses his long legs to keep the Aussie at bay, and Tuivasa is headhunting while looking for that huge right hand. He partially connects with one, and is met with a Teixeira knee on the way out. Tuivasa ducks a telegraphed spinning back elbow and jabs the body to set up a right upstairs, and elbows Teixeira as well. Teixeira answers with a thudding body kick, so Tuivasa kicks his legs hard. Tuivasa’s kicks are rapidly disrupting the taller man, so Teixeira gives him one or two back to think about. Tuivasa keeps attacking the lead leg, shrugging off a straight right hand to deliver a huge right hand over the top. Teixeira boots Tuivasa upside the head, and he shoots in for a double and bowls “Bam Bam” over. Tuivasa clings to his man while seated up, and he turns the corner as his shorts fall down. Teixeira is able to turn him back around and put him flat on his back, where he delivers a few elbows to Tuivasa before mounting him.
Teixeira uses 12-to-6 elbows when available, and uses heavy chest-to-chest pressure to keep Tuivasa stuck. Tuivasa looks to his corner when controlled and shakes his head in frustration, and he gets flattened out on his stomach. Teixeira pounds on him with his free left hand, and Tuivasa’s slight head movement protects him from a few of the blows but most get through. Tuivasa turns over to get to his back once more, with Teixeira back to mount looking to execute an Ezekiel choke. Tuivasa breaks the choke grip while “Xicao” holds him down and beats on him. Teixeira flirts with a straight armlock but is met with Tuivasa punches from his back until the second round concludes. Fans boo Teixeira heartily.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Teixeira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Teixeira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Teixeira
Round 3
Tuivasa hurries forward to offer a glove touch and start engaging, and he loads up quickly on leg kicks. Tuivasa goes to the body with a left and follows it with a knee, and Teixeira backs him away with a front kick. Tuivasa fakes with his right to open up a strike, and Teixeira answered with a labored takedown attempt that fails miserably. Tuivasa shakes his head at him and loads up on a huge right hand, and Teixeira is feeling it but gets some respite when Tuivasa elects to clinch him. Tuivasa knees the thigh when pressing on the Brazilian, with both fighters likely spent after about 12 minutes of fight thus far. Tuivasa bails on it and starts swinging. Teixeira backs away, stumbling as his balance is starting to betray him, and he nails Tuivasa with two punches coming in. Tuivasa goes for broke with two huge punches, and he hurts Teixeira with them and proceeds to clinch him again. The commentary booth is collectively losing it at Tuivasa’s strategy, seemingly not realizing how exhausted both men are.
Tuivasa slashes his foe in the face with an elbow, and he takes a kick to the liver and puts his hands on his hips. Teixeira does the same, and Tuivasa lumbers towards him and pulls his shorts up, before clinching again. Tuivasa drapes his hands over the top of the cage, and is warned for it, so he starts ripping punches to the body. Tuivasa fights in brief spurts before tying his man up, and he stings Teixeira with a pair of punches and stifles a rough takedown attempt. The color commentators of Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping are screaming advice to Tuivasa as if they were cornering him, and Tuivasa cannot hear them or does not have the energy to do anything about it. He holds on from on top before working the body a few times, and when Teixeira scrambles, a sweaty Tuivasa slides over the back while swinging as hard as he can. The horrid heavyweight slopfest ends after stunningly going 15 minutes, with both big men needing oxygen tanks after what they produced there.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa (29-28 Teixeira)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa (29-28 Teixeira)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa (29-28 Teixeira)
The Official Result
Tallison Teixeira def. Tai Tuivasa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo picks Tallison Teixeira but is hesitant due to Tai Tuivasa's weight and layoff concerns. He notes Tai's takedown defense is non-existent and he's on a 5-fight losing skid, while Teixeira is massive and athletic. However, he says if Tai looks good at weigh-ins, he would flip the pick. He emphasizes waiting for weigh-ins.
Big Brady picks Tallison Teixeira by first-round knockout, citing Tai Tuivasa's 0-5 skid and lack of activity (1.5 years out). He notes Teixeira is much bigger and longer with power, and Tuivasa may not be taking his career seriously. Brady expects the fight to end in round one with someone getting served brutally.
Cody is leaning toward Tuivasa as a value play, despite his five-fight losing streak and long layoff. He notes that Teixeira has never been out of the first round and was nearly finished by Derrick Lewis. He believes Tuivasa has the power to knock out anyone and that Teixeira's chin is untested. However, he admits it's a risky pick and not one he's confident in.
Connor picks Tuivasa because he believes Teixeira is raw and not ready for this step up, and that Tuivasa's experience and toughness could carry him. He notes that Tuivasa has fought elite heavyweights and can survive early exchanges, while Teixeira has never been past the first round. However, he acknowledges that Tuivasa has not improved and could still lose.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Teixeira due to Tuivasa's poor form and weight issues, but he is not confident because Teixeira is unproven and has shown defensive flaws. He notes that Tuivasa is on a five-fight losing streak and may be out of shape, but he is still dangerous. Vreeland calls it a 'lean' and says the minus 300 price is not a great value.
James picks Teixeira to win by KO, noting Tuivasa's five-fight losing streak and lack of focus on MMA. He believes Teixeira is a better striker with more weapons, though he has defensive flaws. James thinks Teixeira will finish Tuivasa early, possibly in round one, but acknowledges Tuivasa's puncher's chance.
Teixeira is a 6'7 BJJ black belt with knockout power, but he can also grapple. Tuivasa is on a five-fight losing streak and seems half-invested in fighting. Teixeira should look to take the fight to the ground where Tuivasa is susceptible to submissions. The host likes Teixeira by submission at +700, noting Tuivasa's vulnerability to submissions. Teixeira's size and physicality will be too much for the fading Tuivasa.
Paul is siding with Teixeira despite not loving the -370 price. He questions Tuivasa's commitment and conditioning after a long layoff and weight gain. He notes that Teixeira is a big heavyweight with power and that Tuivasa has been quitting in recent fights. He expects a first-round knockout either way but prefers the favorite.
The Guru picks Tai Tuivasa despite being an underdog, citing his power, calf kicks, and experience. He believes Tuivasa can drop Teixeira and finish him in the first round, comparing it to a Stephan Struve performance. He acknowledges Teixeira's elbows but thinks Tuivasa's low kicks will be key.
Zane also picks Tuivasa, arguing that Teixeira is a prospect who has never won a fight outside the first round and that Tuivasa is tough enough to not get finished early. He notes that Tuivasa will keep doing the same thing for three rounds if needed, while Teixeira may fall apart if he doesn't get an early finish. However, he calls the fight pointless and bad matchmaking.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 37 of 126 | 29% | 37 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 91 of 184 | 49% | 92 of 185 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 9 of 38 | 23% | 9 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 19 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 36 of 69 | 52% | 37 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 15 of 50 | 30% | 15 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 36 of 67 | 53% | 36 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 37 of 126 | 29% | 19 of 92 | 6 of 17 | 12 of 17 | 37 of 124 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 91 of 184 | 49% | 58 of 146 | 12 of 16 | 21 of 22 | 86 of 177 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 9 of 38 | 23% | 1 of 22 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 11 | 9 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 19 of 48 | 39% | 5 of 32 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 10 | 19 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 13 of 38 | 34% | 8 of 28 | 1 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 36 of 69 | 52% | 27 of 57 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 33 of 65 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 15 of 50 | 30% | 10 of 42 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 36 of 67 | 53% | 26 of 57 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 34 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rozenstruik (-225), Tuivasa (+185)
Round 1
The UFC has thrown the crowd some red meat on the main card in the form of a good old-fashioned heavyweight slobberknocker. While Rozenstruik (14-5, 8-5 UFC) may have the kickboxing background and is a more technical man compared to his opponent, he does not shy away from throwing bungalows when the mood strikes him. Tuivasa (14-7, 8-7 UFC) will feed him that mood as well as several punches, if he has anything to say about it. Referee Marc Goddard buckles up for what is about to come next. Happy as a clam to fight in front of a crowd that is drowning him with adoration, Tuivasa offers a fist bump that is gladly accepted. Rozenstruik moves to the center of the cage to start, and he stays away from a front kick lobbed at him. Rozenstruik snaps out a kick to the lead leg, and he lands one on the inside as well. Tuivasa gives him a kick back to think about, and Rozenstruik counters with a right over the top. Tuivasa kicks him again, and he leans back to dodge it. The Aussie absorbs another low kick and adjusts his shorts, and he sits down on a right hand when Rozenstruik inevitably chops at his front wheel again. Tuivasa uses several feints to draw out wide reactions, and he overkicks to turn himself around. Rozenstruik reaches him with a one-two, and he retreats before getting countered. Tuivasa sells out on another inaccurate kick, and Rozenstruik prods him with a jab. Rozenstruik gets in a left hook and a hard calf kick, and he absorbs a much heavier one coming back. They jab at the same time, and Rozenstruik paws out his left hook to measure. Tuivasa gets a front kick to land on the belly, and he winds up with a right hand and pulls it back as Rozenstruik flinches. Tuivasa chips with kicks on both sides, and he gets off a left hook and is met with a left to the chest. Tuivasa keeps his guard up to block a lead left hook, and he tries to jab his way in only to get met with quicker offense. Tuivasa misses with a low kick and dodges a looping strike in response, but Rozenstruik still gets him in the belly. Rozenstruik kicks his man in the side, and he gets clipped with two big hooks right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 2
The big men touch ‘em up to begin Round 2, and Rozenstruik leads behind several jabs. When Tuivasa tries to do the same, Rozenstruik chews up his front leg. Rozenstruik loads up and smashes Tuivasa in the side of the head with a right hand, and he manages to escape danger by a matter of inches when Tuivasa tries to retaliate. Tuivasa goes after his opponent with a right hand, and Rozenstruik is just out of range. Tuivasa stands firm, cracking Rozenstruik with a right hand, and Tuivasa absorbs a flush knee to the body on the way out. Tuivasa slugs with a right hand, and Rozenstruik turns the corner and strings several punches together. Tuivasa rebounds off the fencing, and he walks face-first into a right hand and a knee. Tuivasa backs his adversary to the wall but is not able to catch him with anything clean, and he is slowly working his way forward. Tuivasa engages with a hard right hand, and he releases a low kick that slams his foot into Rozenstruik’s knee. Tuivasa limps back, and Rozenstruik charges at him and lays into him with a mighty blitz of punches. Tuivasa gets cut on the right side of his face, and he starts firing back, backing Rozenstruik away and hurting him as well. Tuivasa shakes his foot out and struggles to put weight on it. Rozenstruik lines a one-two down the pipe, and a head kick that follows is blocked. Tuivasa catches Rozenstruik ducking down, but it is one-and-done. Rozenstruik lands a few kicks, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 3
Gloves are touched to kick off the final round, much to the surprise of many that it got this far. Rozenstruik keeps behind his jab to stop Tuivasa from reaching him, and a leg kick after it is also effective. Tuivasa uses his own jab, but it is not able to reach the target. A right hand does, and Rozenstruik counters right back. Tuivasa is out of range of a front kick, and two jabs fall short as well. Rozenstruik snaps the head back with his own jab, and he kicks the body and escapes as Tuivasa lumbers towards him. Tuivasa finds his own with a left and then a right, and Rozenstruik scoots away from any further blows before stabbing out a jab. Tuivasa lands a stance-changing low kick, and he elbows Rozenstruik when Rozenstruik loads up on a left hand. Tuivasa walks through a jab to unload with a right, and Rozenstruik catches him with a right on the inside. Rozenstruik stays composed and watches massive right hands soar past him, and he pushes off with a front kick that adjusts Tuivasa’s cup. Tuivasa waves Goddard off, and he practically sprints at Rozenstruik with his right hand firing off. Rozenstruik’s head movement keeps him safe, and his jab peppers the Aussie again and again. Rozenstruik shields himself from the telegraphed bombs, and he gets up close and scores a short right hand. As Tuivasa goes wide, Rozenstruik pretends to smooth out his hair—he is bald, so it is a mocking gesture. Rozenstruik plods out with front kicks and jabs, keeping Tuivasa from getting his hands on him. Tuivasa sells out with big punches, and he points the ground to force a brawl. Rozenstruik does the same, and they blast one another with ferocious punches. This continues right to the final horn, and they have made it the distance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
The Official Result
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik because he is a great counter striker who will step off and land big on Tai Tuivasa, who overcommits and has a compromised chin. He notes that Tuivasa has been knocked down in four straight fights and that Rozenstruik's technique will be the difference. He expects a one-punch knockout and will look for prop value.
Big Brady picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik to win by second-round knockout. He criticizes the matchmaking for giving Tuivasa a tough fight when he is on a four-fight skid and a fan favorite in Australia. He believes Rozenstruik is the better striker and that Tuivasa is very hittable and has been getting hurt in fights. He expects Rozenstruik to knock him out in the second round. He notes both fighters are likely to stand and bang, making it an entertaining fight.
Cody points to Tuivasa's four-fight losing streak, declining durability, and lack of recent power, while Rozenstruik is coming off a win and has a style that can pick Tuivasa apart from range. He notes Rozenstruik's volume and leg kicks will be key, and that Tuivasa's heart may not be in it anymore. Cody expects a decision or late stoppage for Rozenstruik.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik to win, citing Tuivasa's four-fight losing streak and questionable camp. He acknowledges that Tuivasa has knockout power and that the fight could go either way, but believes Rozenstruik is the cleaner striker with better cardio. Vreeland notes that he might bet Tuivasa as a dog but is leaning toward Rozenstruik for the pick.
Vreeland picks Rozenstruik, citing his recent win showing he still has something left. He notes Tuivasa has lost four straight and lacks durability. He suggests the knockout prop for better odds, as Rozenstruik has power to finish.
Fox picks Tuivasa, believing he can land a big shot if he backs Rozenstruik to the cage. He criticizes Rozenstruik's performance against Gajiev, noting he backed up and won by TKO due to Gajiev's poor cardio. Fox thinks Tuivasa's one-touch power and lack of takedown threat give him a chance.
The host is confident in Rozenstruik, citing his technical striking superiority and jab. He expects Rozenstruik to control the pace and knock out Tuivasa, who he sees as a one-dimensional knockout-or-bust fighter. He acknowledges the heavyweight volatility but feels stylistically Rozenstruik is far superior.
Paul acknowledges Tuivasa's losing streak and durability concerns but believes the crowd and the matchup favor him as a banger. He notes that both fighters are strikers and that Tuivasa has a puncher's chance, especially in front of an Australian crowd. Paul calls it a 'dogger pass' type of fight and leans toward Tuivasa as a live underdog.
The MMA Guru picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik over Tai Tuivasa. He criticizes Tuivasa's lack of discipline and commitment, noting he has lost four in a row, including a first-round finish to Martin Tybura. He believes Rozenstruik is a more technical kickboxer with a good jab and inside leg kicks. He notes Tuivasa is hittable and has been finished before. He expects Rozenstruik to land more and win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 0 | 15 of 24 | 62% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 27 of 41 | 65% | 73 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 2:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 0 | 15 of 24 | 62% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 27 of 41 | 65% | 73 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 2:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura | 15 of 24 | 62% | 9 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 17 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 27 of 41 | 65% | 23 of 34 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcin Tybura | 15 of 24 | 62% | 9 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 17 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 27 of 41 | 65% | 23 of 34 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 21 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tuivasa (-122), Tybura (+105)
Round 1
Heavyweights put meat back on the menu for the marquee matchup. Likely having to cut down in weight to reach 266 pounds, Tuivasa (14-6, 8-6 UFC) is ready to let his heavy hands fly. Tybura (24-8, 11-7 UFC), who will be almost 20 pounds lighter officially—not counting whatever Tuivasa weight lost to get there—would prefer not to be on the receiving end of those fists. Although it is always possible that this could go 25 minutes, referee Herb Dean is ready for this to be done sooner than later. He brings them together, and they bump gloves before trying to take the other’s head off. Tuivasa sticks out a jab, and Tybura releases a body kick and a right hand in response. Tuivasa aims a body kick and connects with a few right hands, and Tybura closes in and gets clacked with several elbows on the forehead. The elbows slide Tybura’s head open on several places, causing blood to flow fast. Tybura looks to his hand to see the blood, and Tuivasa starts letting go with heavy leg kicks Tybura lumbers forward, walking through strikes to shoot in for a double. Tybura clasps his hands, and when Tuivasa punches him on the side of the head, he lifts the Aussie up and slams him down to the ground. “Tybur” lands in half guard and starts driving down right hands, and he lets Tuivasa turn to his knees so he can take the back. Tybura gets both hooks in and starts raining down right hands on the side of the head. As he continues to pound on “Bam Bam,” Tuivasa lowers himself down and does not seem otherwise worse for wear. Tuivasa turns to his side and tries to defend the sledgehammers with one hand. Tybura keeps heavy and allows Tuivasa to turn over so he can keep bludgeoning the Aussie. Tybura softens his man up before locking down a rear-naked choke, and he secures it under the chin. Tuivasa fights the grip and kicks with his legs to tough out the choke, and he tries to slowly slide his jaw down to escape choke danger. Tybura does not release the grip even when he hears Tuivasa gasping for air and clinging to consciousness, but he knows the finish is right around the corner. The Polish heavyweight retains his grip, and as he presses down with his full weight from behind, he puts Tuivasa all the way out. Tuivasa goes out on his shield, his arm flopping to the side, and Dean recognizes this immediately and halts the fight. This is a massive win for Tybura, even with Tuivasa skidding, as he lands the first submission in his UFC career, doing so under bright lights. With that technical submission—not the first of the night, making this card somewhat unusual—in the books, this show comes to a close. The Apex will play host again next week to another event before taking to the road, and we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Marcin Tybura def. Tai Tuivasa R1 4:08 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo notes that Tuivasa's chin is gone after three consecutive knockout losses to elite heavyweights, and his takedown defense is only 54%. Tybura is a durable grinder who uses strikes to set up takedowns and will pound on opponents once on top. He thinks Tybura can rush Tuivasa against the cage and grind through takedowns. He is watching the line movement, hoping to get Tybura at +120 or +130 as the fan favorite gets action.
Big Brady picks Tai Tuivasa to win by first-round knockout. He believes Tuivasa's power and striking advantage will be too much for Tybura, who lacks power and has been knocked out before. He notes the risk if the fight goes long and Tybura gets on top, but expects Tuivasa to land first.
Cody leans toward Tai Tuivasa, citing his early explosiveness and power as likely too much for Tybura, who has been knocked out quickly in recent fights. He notes Tybura's wrestling threat but believes Tuivasa can stuff early takedowns and land a knockout before the fight gets deep. He acknowledges the line is even money and both have a chance, but Tuivasa's youth and power give him the edge.
Lucrative James is torn on this fight. He acknowledges that stylistically Tai Tuivasa could knock out Tybura, but he is concerned about Tuivasa's mental state, recent three-fight losing streak, and a knee injury three months prior. He also notes Tybura's reliability and grinding style, comparing it to the Blaydes fight. He ultimately decides he likely won't bet on this fight but might play Tuivasa KO in round 1 or 2 or Tybura by decision.
The host notes Tuivasa is on a losing streak and heavily reliant on knockout power, but when facing cleaner, crisper opponents he often comes up short. He expects Tybura to have a cleaner all-around game, roughing up Tuivasa in the clinch, dragging him to the floor, and possibly opening up a submission. He acknowledges Tuivasa's power but believes Tybura can avoid it due to Tuivasa's telegraphing. He compares Tybura's ability to take big shots from past opponents and still win, predicting Tybura dictates the fight and grinds out a decision or an arm triangle choke.
Paul also picks Tai Tuivasa by knockout, agreeing with Cody that Tybura's wrestling is not likely to be effective early when Tuivasa is fresh. He notes that Tybura will have to eat shots to close distance and that the small cage helps Tuivasa. He acknowledges the unpredictability of heavyweights but sees this as a decent matchup for Tuivasa to get back on track.
The Guru picks Tai Tuivasa by TKO in round one or two. He believes Tuivasa's calf kicks will be effective against Tybura, who lacks the low kick defense of Volkov. He notes Tuivasa's ability to get back up from takedowns and his power punching, especially uppercuts and hooks. He thinks Tybura is hittable and Tuivasa will find his chin, as he did against Ciryl Gane.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkov | 0 | 28 of 67 | 41% | 30 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 93 of 143 | 65% | 107 of 164 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkov | 0 | 15 of 39 | 38% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 51 of 83 | 61% | 53 of 86 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkov | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 14 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 42 of 60 | 70% | 54 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 2:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkov | 28 of 67 | 41% | 4 of 31 | 7 of 9 | 17 of 27 | 26 of 65 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 93 of 143 | 65% | 65 of 110 | 18 of 21 | 10 of 12 | 72 of 115 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 25 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkov | 15 of 39 | 38% | 0 of 16 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 16 | 15 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 51 of 83 | 61% | 29 of 56 | 13 of 16 | 9 of 11 | 50 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkov | 13 of 28 | 46% | 4 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 11 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 42 of 60 | 70% | 36 of 54 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 25 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Volkov (-250), Tuivasa (+205)
Round 1
Hold onto your hats, because when these heavyweights start swinging, someone may go down hard. While Tuivasa (14-5, 8-5 UFC) has struggled against the top echelon of the division, the same can be said about his Russian adversary Volkov (36-10, 10-4 UFC) – although only the former is on a losing streak. Combining for about 528.5 pounds in the cage, not counting referee Herb Dean, the large strikers will be performing a stress test on the cage floor and walls for as long as one remains standing. The heavy fists are bumped first as a courtesy, and Volkov goes right after a leg kick. He lifts his leg up when Tuivasa slings one back harder, and he tries to check it again when Tuivasa swings hard. Volkov counters another low kick with a right hand over the top, and he shoulder-rolls a punch to smack “Bam Bam” with an uppercut. Tuivasa comes up close and digs a right hand to the body, and his leg kicks might already be having an impact. Volkov slaps back a low kick, and he strings a one-two into a body kick that rustles Tuivasa’s cup. Tuivasa laughs it off, and the two resume after a glove touch. Volkov doubles up a low kick with one to the body, and Tuivasa runs at him flailing his fists. The Russian counters him and slides out of the way, and Tuivasa keeps coming towards him as his nose starts to bleed from jabs and straight right hands. Tuivasa has a leg kick caught, and he gets knocked to his knees from a piston-like right hand from “Drago.” Volkov allows his foe to get back up, and he times a Tuivasa charge with a right hand and two more quick punches on the inside. Tuivasa walks into a leg kick that he tries to turn with, and Volkov circles on the outside not allowing the Aussie to trap him. Tuivasa scores a low kick, and Volkov responds with a body kick, a left hand and a head kick. Tuivasa takes it all flush and ducks down while swinging a huge right hand, and Volkov counters him and gets nailed with a leg kick. Tuivasa unloads with another leg kick, and Volkov lifts his leg up and then strings several punches and kick together. Tuivasa scares his man with a pair of punches, but Volkov rolls well enough and resets to target Tuivasa’s body several times. Volkov dips out of the way of an overhand right, and he tries to check a leg kick and drops Tuivasa with a right hand. Volkov grips a guillotine choke, and he lets it go to bust Tuivasa up with several short punches and two nasty elbows. Tuivasa backs off, and he lets loose a leg kick with all his might. Volkov grunts and racks Tuivasa up with six punches and two body kicks. Tuivasa gets knocked against the wall, and he bends over, taking shots, until the horn sounds to possibly save him.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Volkov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Volkov
Round 2
The big men clap hands to start off the second round, and Tuivasa plods forward and releases a powerful leg kick. Tuivasa closes in and gets popped with a few shots, and he leans back and connects with another leg kick. Tuivasa continues to batter the lead leg with kicks, and Volkov is wearing it and is quite ginger on it. Volkov kicks the midsection, and he gets off two uppercuts as Tuivasa bears down on him. Tuivasa blocks several punches but cannot stop the knee that comes up the middle, and he misses two punches and gets knocked back from a huge right hand. Tuivasa’s chin holds up and he grins, blood leaking out of his mouth, and the crowd gives it up for the two putting on the show. Tuivasa kicks low, and Volkov times a perfect right hand to send Tuivasa tumbling to his seat. Volkov climbs on top and advances right to half guard, and he considers a choke only for Tuivasa to muscle his way out of it. Tuivasa blitzes forward, and Volkov lets him do this so he can counter with sharper strikes. Volkov checks a kick and plants a one-two on the chin, and when he checks another, he gets off a right hand that knocks Tuivasa down. With two minutes and 10 seconds remaining, Volkov jumps into full mount, and he unloads punches and smashes the Aussie in the face with an elbow. The Russian keeps his legs intertwined with Tuivasa’s to disallow him from an escape, and Volkov lowers himself down in pursuit of an arm-triangle choke. Volkov bails on it to start striking, and Tuivasa throws back but is getting pummeled. “Bam Bam” rolls over to his stomach and keeps getting pounded, and he nearly escapes out the side only for Volkov to recover and get back to mount. Volkov keeps working with short strikes, and he sets up an Ezekiel choke out of nowhere as he fastens his left forearm arm over the neck and hooks his right arm behind the head. A frantic Tuivasa tries to buck off the massive Russian with all of his energy left, but Volkov uses his full body weight to finish the choke and trap Tuivasa fully. Tuivasa has nothing left to do at this point but choose whether he will submit or go out on his shield, and he taps out on Volkov’s side to conclude the fight. Remarkably, “Drago” has performed just the fourth submission of his career, and it marks his first since 2016. He joins countryman Alexey Oleynik and UFC 7 combatant Remco Pardoel as the only three to ever perform an Ezekiel choke in promotional history.
The Official Result
Alexander Volkov def. Tai Tuivasa R2 4:37 via Submission (Ezekiel Choke)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Alexander Volkov, noting he is more well-rounded and technical. He acknowledges Tai Tuivasa's one-punch knockout power and fan support, but believes Volkov's volume, timing, and durability will win. Angelo has a half-unit parlay with Volkov and Justin Tafa at plus money.
Big Brady picks the underdog Tai Tuivasa, citing his power and hometown advantage. He acknowledges Volkov is the better minute-winner but thinks Tuivasa only needs one shot. He notes Tuivasa's losses are to elite heavyweights. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Cody picks Volkov based on superior striking, volume, cardio, and grappling advantage, but is hesitant due to heavyweight volatility and Tuivasa's knockout power. He notes that Volkov's chin is a concern and that Tuivasa could land a big shot, especially with the hometown crowd. Cody suggests Volkov is the official pick but warns against parlaying him at -250.
Daniel Levi picks Alexander Volkov but with low confidence, stating he is rooting for Tuivasa. He believes Volkov will use volume and range to outwork Tuivasa, similar to his fight against Derrick Lewis. Levi notes that Tuivasa has a puncher's chance and could land a big shot, but Volkov's ability to stay at a safe range and keep working gives him the edge. He says he is not putting money on it.
Lucrative James is very confident Alexander Volkov will win, likely by knockout. He sees Volkov as levels above Tuivasa, with a significant reach advantage that will keep Tuivasa on the outside. He notes Tuivasa's recent knockout losses may make him hesitant, and his takedown attempts are unathletic and easily stuffed. James expects Volkov to dominate with straight shots and long teeps, similar to how Derrick Lewis kept Tuivasa at range.
Volkov is on a three-fight winning streak, utilizing his kicking game and one-two down the pipe to maintain distance. He has a significant reach advantage. Tuivasa is on a two-fight losing streak against top competition and relies on big shots. Volkov should stick with front kicks to the body to slow Tuivasa, then finish with strikes within a round and a half.
Paul picks Volkov but is hesitant, acknowledging Tuivasa's hometown advantage and knockout power. He likes Volkov's recent wins over Romanov and Rozenstruik, but notes that Tuivasa could feed off the crowd and land a big shot. Paul suggests Volkov over 27.5 significant strikes on Prize Picks as a play.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Volkov over Tai Tuivasa, despite acknowledging Tuivasa's dangerous calf kicks and knockout power. He notes that Volkov is underrated, with a close decision loss to Ciryl Gane and a win over Alistair Overeem. Volkov has bulked up to 260 pounds and uses teeps and front kicks effectively against shorter opponents. He believes Tuivasa's recent knockout losses to Gane and Pavlovich have damaged his career, and Volkov will keep him at range with front kicks to the body, finishing him in round two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergei Pavlovich | 0 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 2 | 23 of 44 | 52% | 23 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sergei Pavlovich | 0 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 2 | 23 of 44 | 52% | 23 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergei Pavlovich | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 23 of 44 | 52% | 23 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 32 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sergei Pavlovich | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 23 of 44 | 52% | 23 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 32 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pavlovich (-210), Tuivasa (+180)
Round 1
Referee Dan Miragliotta will have his work cut out for him in this heavyweight collision, as Tuivasa (14-4, 8-4 UFC) and Pavlovich (16-1, 4-1 UFC) combine for 26 knockouts in their 30 wins, with no submissions to either’s credit. The triumphant big man here might be the closest of all the 30 competitors this evening to a title shot, and this potential brawl is preceded by a clap of hands and a hug. Pavlovich moves in to the center of the cage, pushing out jabs, and he lifts his leg to avoid a low kick. The Russian walks forward to throw hands, and he stings Tuivasa with a few punches, only for “Bam Bam” to swing right back and hurt Pavlovich. The power of Pavlovich cannot be denied, as he blasts Tuivasa with ferocious punches, tearing Tuivasa’s skin open with the impact of his fists. Tuivasa hit the ground, and springs back up while blood starts pouring out of the left side of his eye, and Pavlovich’s accurate and straight punches find the mark while Tuivasa swings wildly.
Tuivasa wings a left hand, and Pavlovich tags his man twice and drills an uppercut that knocks the Aussie clear off his feet. When Tuivasa hits the mat on his face, Pavlovich drives home a few academic punches to make sure the job is done, and Tuivasa continues to leak crimson fluid all over the mat while Pavlovich beats on him. Miragliotta intervenes when it is clear that Tuivasa is done here and teetering on the edge of consciousness
, and Pavlovich may have just earned the biggest win of his career and placed himself right in top contendership position. This performance unquestionably sends a message to the rest of the heavyweights that this brick-fisted Russian is a force to be reckoned with.
The Official Result
Sergei Pavlovich def. Tai Tuivasa R1 0:54 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Tai Tuivasa, citing his better leg kicks and chin. He notes both fighters have zero takedowns in the UFC, so it will be a striking match. He thinks Tuivasa's power and durability give him the edge, but acknowledges heavyweights can end anytime. He won't bet either side but recommends using Monkey Knife Fight's Knockout Kings prop because one of them will get knocked out.
Big Brady picks Pavlovich to win by first-round knockout, citing his nine-inch reach advantage, power, and forward pressure. He notes Tuivasa has been knocked out before and Pavlovich has five first-round finishes in the UFC. He acknowledges Tuivasa's power but believes Pavlovich lands first.
Cody agrees with Paul, citing Tuivasa's durability, power, and ability to weather early storms. He notes Pavlovich has never been tested past the first round and questions his cardio. He sees Tuivasa as a live dog with a legitimate shot.
Daniel Levi leans Pavlovich based on momentum, massive reach advantage (84 inches), and confidence. He acknowledges Tuivasa's knockout power and the possibility of an upset, especially if the fight extends past the first round. He is not betting but expects an entertaining stand-up war.
The host leans towards Pavlovich, believing he has more paths to victory, including potentially using takedowns. He likes the over 1.5 rounds at plus 170, thinking both fighters will respect each other's power and the fight could go into the second or third round. He is cautious about betting heavy on a heavyweight fight due to volatility.
Paul loves Tuivasa at plus money. He notes Pavlovich's low-level competition and questions his cardio. He thinks Tuivasa's durability and power make him live, especially if the fight goes past the first round. He also mentions the under 5 minutes on PrizePicks.
The MMA Guru picks Sergei Pavlovich despite loving Tai Tuivasa. He notes Tuivasa took heavy damage against Cyril Gane and is returning too soon, while Pavlovich has devastating power and a huge reach advantage (84 inches vs 75). He predicts Pavlovich will land a big shot and finish Tuivasa in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciryl Gane | 1 | 110 of 168 | 65% | 110 of 168 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 29 of 89 | 32% | 29 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciryl Gane | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 6 of 26 | 23% | 6 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ciryl Gane | 0 | 41 of 65 | 63% | 41 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 15 of 40 | 37% | 15 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Ciryl Gane | 1 | 53 of 72 | 73% | 53 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciryl Gane | 110 of 168 | 65% | 64 of 110 | 30 of 40 | 16 of 18 | 108 of 166 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 29 of 89 | 32% | 17 of 61 | 4 of 9 | 8 of 19 | 26 of 84 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciryl Gane | 16 of 31 | 51% | 5 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 10 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 6 of 26 | 23% | 2 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 11 | 6 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ciryl Gane | 41 of 65 | 63% | 24 of 43 | 11 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 41 of 65 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 15 of 40 | 37% | 12 of 32 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 12 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Ciryl Gane | 53 of 72 | 73% | 35 of 51 | 16 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 51 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 8 of 23 | 34% | 3 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gane (-540), Tuivasa (+420)
Round 1
Depending on how this headliner shakes out, a title shot may loom for one of the victors. While former interim beltholder Gane (10-1, 7-1 UFC) would certainly like another crack at Francis Ngannou, he first has to deal with the surging brawler Tuivasa (14-3, 8-3 UFC), who has won five straight fights by knockout. Gane will need to keep his wits about him, and referee Marc Goddard will too so that he avoids any possible errant blows from the two strikers. The fists are bumped, Gane pats Tuivasa in the face, the cage door is locked, and it’s time for the main event! Tuivasa ignores an early leg kick so that he can try to close the distance and solve the rangy puzzle that is the Frenchman, but he does not throw much. Tuivasa absorbs another low kick, and he fires one back, forcing Gane to awkwardly recoil his own leg. Gane jabs with his foot, and he sits down on a kick to the body with his other leg. Tuivasa stalks Gane down but cannot corner him, although he does get off another leg kick that he turns his hips into. Gane catches “Bam Bam” coming forward with a swatting right hook, disrupting the offense Tuivasa was able to release. Gane comfortably pokes and jabs, and the crowd serenades him with the French National Anthem. Tuivasa starts laughing, and Gane appreciates it and ducks a massive haymaker. A leg kick from the Aussie gets checked, and he swings heavily to close in. Gane blocks most of the strikes, taking one flush, and otherwise keeping his preferred range. The crowd chants loudly for their fighter, and Tuivasa is unable to do much to deflate the crowd. Gane slips a leg kick and releases a body kick. Tuivasa responds, and he just misses an overhand right by a whisker. Gane sticks out a jab and goes after a head kick, and the kick slams into Tuivasa’s guard…he feels it. Tuivasa hand-fights to get in on Gane, and Gane is elusive as he snaps out a front kick. The Aussie lunges with two punches, and Gane skirts out the side and lightly taps his foe’s calf with a kick. The horn sounds to end this sparring match of a round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Round 2
The heavyweight headliners touch ‘em up to start the second round, and Tuivasa slaps the thigh with a kick. Gane responds with one to the inner thigh, and he snaps out a jab. As Tuivasa looks to weave forward, Gane splits the guard with another jab, shutting down the offense before it comes. Tuivasa trips his man up as he comes forward, but it is simply that their legs are tangled. “Bam Bam” advances and wings a right hand, and it glances off the dome as Gane moves away from it. Gane front kicks his man and flicks out a jab, with a low but consistent pace that frustrates the brawler. The crowd grows restless as the approach of these two big men, and Tuivasa absorbs their energy by releasing a right hand that slams into Gane’s face. Gane smiles, and the two high-five after the exchange. Gane scores a low kick and a pair of jabs, and Tuivasa follows him along only to walk into a straight left hand. Tuivasa leans back when a high kick is unloaded, and he cuts Gane off with three short left hooks. Gane pushes through the guard with a jab and shoots in for a takedown, but the Aussie is a brick wall and shoves him back. Tuivasa is extremely mad by the exchange, and he winds up with a monster right hand that sends Gane crashing to the mat. Gane crawls to the side, and Tuivasa looks to hop on the side and pound him out. Gane survives and manages to back off, and Tuivasa gives chase and gets clipped with a right hand. Gane targets the body with impunity, kicking the body several times until Tuivasa bends over. Tuivasa is hurt but still dangerous, as swings with all his might, and he manages to crack Gane again. When Gane retreats, he jabs out to the body, and Tuivasa is hurt once more. The crowd is going wild as these two keep hurting one another, and Tuivasa blasts Gane with another overhand right. Gane blinks it out and works the body even more, and Tuivasa signals to the crowd to give it up for them. They do, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Round 3
They touch fists to start off the third round, having spent the last minute recovering and retooling their gameplans. Tuivasa actively attacks the lead leg, and Gane strings together a few punches on Tuivasa’s iron chin. Tuivasa chops at the leg, and Gane kicks the body and may have grazed the cup. Tuivasa complains, but Goddard tells them to keep working, and Tuivasa grabs his cup and shakes it. They resume combat, and Gane measures his man with sharp front kicks as Tuivasa takes a deep breath. Gane loads up on a liver kick, and Tuivasa just watches it land. “Bam Bam” ducks in for a punch to the body, and Gane sticks out several jabs. Tuivasa turns to his side as he misses with a kick, and he sprints back to the fence and bounces off it like a professional wrestler. Gane high-fives him, and he then kicks Tuivasa in the face. Tuivasa eats it like Vegemite on toast and immediately absorbs one more, and he wobbles back. He might be playing possum, as he leans back and winds up an enormous right hand that buzzes Gane’s dome. The Frenchman kicks him two more times right in the head, and Tuivasa is stunned but still swinging everything he has in hopes of catching Gane. Gane keeps tagging Tuivasa with his rangy blows, and Tuivasa shakes his head every so often and loads up on what Quinton Jackson would call “bungalows.” Gane largely avoids them, but he still cannot quite evade every one. Tuivasa marches forward, and Gane smacks him in the face with a standing back fist. As Tuivasa slows, Gane feed his man a steady diet of front kicks to the body, and Tuivasa bends over again in pain but is still on his feet. Gane knows that Tuivasa is fading, and he lets loose with a right hook square on the chin that puts Tuivasa on ice skates.
The Aussie is tough but his consciousness is fading, and Gane unloads a bombardment of five vicious punches including an arcing hammerfist that send Tuivasa crashing down to the canvas. Goddard is about to step in, so “Bon Gamin” makes sure he does by hammering Tuivasa with two devastating punches, putting a cap on a sensational performance after a spectacular fight.
The Accor Arena, which might have already set decibel records in the city tonight, shatters those with raucous cheers and applause for its home country fighter. France ends the night at 5-0 against foreign opponents, with each one making a statement, but none more massive than Gane. The French fighter celebrates with his family, who flood the cage in support of the victor. The triumphant Gane only one has target: the title, which currently sits around the waist of former opponent Francis Ngannou. Even though Ngannou is in the building, he does not enter the cage, as he may not want to take away from Gane’s moment. The crowd is in the palm of Gane’s large hand, and the UFC should know once and for all it has a star on its hands. Next week, the UFC is going to try to cash in on a pair of other stars, and we will be here for it with UFC 279. We hope you are too. Vive la France!
The Official Result
Ciryl Gane def. Tai Tuivasa R3 4:23 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Ciryl Gane because of his technical striking, footwork, and ability to work in takedowns against powerful strikers. He expects Gane to make Tuivasa swing at air and likely win a one-sided clinic. He notes Tuivasa is always live for a knockout but Gane won't be there to hit. No prop bets because lines are too short.
Big Brady picks Ciryl Gane to win by submission in the fourth round. He notes that Gane is better in every aspect except pure power, and that Tuivasa's best chance is in the first round and a half. He expects Gane to survive the early storm, then take over with takedowns and ground control, eventually submitting a tired Tuivasa. He mentions that Gane may also finish by ground and pound or body shots.
Cody picks Ciryl Gane, emphasizing Gane's superior footwork, lateral movement, and ability to avoid big shots. He notes that Gane has faced heavy hitters like Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou without taking significant damage, and that Tai Tuivasa's leg kicks may slow Gane's movement but Gane will counter with his jab. Cody also highlights Gane's durability and the fact that Tuivasa has never fought five rounds, predicting a late finish by Gane in round 4 or 5. He mentions that the best value is the over 2.5 rounds at -130, as both fighters are cautious early.
Daniel Levi picks Ciryl Gane to win, acknowledging he should be the rightful favorite due to size, athleticism, and potential grappling advantage. He notes Gane's unorthodox leg locks and range striking as key factors, but is wary of laying the -600 price. He mentions Tai Tuivasa's puncher's chance and power, but ultimately sides with Gane. He suggests Gane by submission as a prop, but does not bet the moneyline himself.
The host is very confident in Gane, believing his movement, footwork, and range control will neutralize Tuivasa's power. He expects Gane to potentially take the fight to the ground and look for a submission. He suggests a sprinkle on Gane by submission at plus 420, predicting a second-round finish.
Paul picks Ciryl Gane, agreeing with Cody that Gane's durability and ability to pick Tuivasa apart at range are key. He hates the -600 price but believes Gane will avoid a brawl and win. Paul also notes that Tuivasa's only path is a knockout, but Gane's movement and reach should neutralize that threat.
The MMA Guru picks Ciryl Gane over Tai Tuivasa, citing Gane's significant reach advantage (8 inches) and his light footwork. He acknowledges Tuivasa's power and the 'Samoan bone density' factor but believes Gane's chin is underrated, as he absorbed shots from Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou. He predicts Gane will pick Tuivasa apart at range with jabs, teeps, and leg kicks, then finish him in the fourth round with elbows or knees. He notes that Gane is still improving and had eight months off to train.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 27 of 43 | 62% | 31 of 47 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:48 |
| Derrick Lewis | 1 | 24 of 36 | 66% | 35 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 20 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Derrick Lewis | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 25 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:06 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Derrick Lewis | 1 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 27 of 43 | 62% | 24 of 39 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 21 | 8 of 12 | 8 of 10 |
| Derrick Lewis | 24 of 36 | 66% | 12 of 22 | 9 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 14 | 16 of 22 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 16 of 24 | 66% | 14 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 8 | 8 of 10 |
| Derrick Lewis | 14 of 21 | 66% | 3 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 11 of 19 | 57% | 10 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Derrick Lewis | 10 of 15 | 66% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A knockout is almost certainly on the menu in this heavyweight clash between beloved big men weighing a total of 531 pounds – one shy of the limit for two men in a UFC cage. Proud Houston native Lewis (26-8, 1 NC; 17-6 UFC) will look to thrill his home crowd, and he will do against willing brawler Tuivasa (13-3, 7-3 UFC). The betting line for this fight going to decision is a massive +425, and a prop for either fighter winning by knockout is -390. Referee Dan Miragliotta will need to stay ready for as long as this fight goes on, preparing himself to intervene at a moment’s notice. Tuivasa may be grinning, but Lewis is the face of intensity; they still do touch gloves. Lewis claims the center of the cage first, as Tuivasa walks around the edge trying to feint his way in. “Bam Bam” reaches out with jabs to the head and body that are well short of the mark, but he does get off a heavy leg kick as Lewis reaches for it. Lewis just misses a looping right hand as Tuivasa crashes forward to clinch up, and the Aussie starts kneeing Lewis’ thighs while pressing him into the wall. The fans begin to react negatively as Tuivasa holds on to this clinch position, with little else besides fence-mashing going on until Miragliotta rather quickly steps in to separate them. Lewis lets go with a head kick, but Tuivasa blocks it right in time. A Lewis flying knee makes Tuivasa back off, and Tuivasa chops down his lead leg to make him slip when Lewis lands. Lewis’ forward momentum shoves the two into the wire, and Lewis changes levels for a single-leg takedown entry. Tuivasa stands him up and elbows him in the face a few times, and Lewis surprises him with an inside trip that shakes the very foundation of the cage itself when they smash into the ground. Lewis starts unloading with brutal right hands, and Tuivasa is hurt but full of determination to stand back up. When the Aussie stands, he throws everything he has back at Lewis, in an effort to start a slugfest. Lewis protects himself from most of them, lands his own, and gets pushed up to the wall. “The Black Beast” hits a throw and drops Tuivasa back to the mat in a surprising display of grappling prowess, but Tuivasa is not settling to stay down. Tuivasa powers his way back up and knees Lewis in the body, and he holds on to the top of the fencing as he knees Lewis in the gut. The round ends in this tight clinch.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lewis
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lewis
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lewis
Round 2
The big men clap hands to start off Round 2, and Tuivasa comes out with a big smile on his face. Lewis absorbs a leg kick and just misses with a huge right hand, and he hobbles off after taking the kick but could be playing possum. Lewis loads up with a few powerful punches, stinging Tuivasa and knocking him back all the way from one side of the cage to the other after salvo of punches. Lewis tries to take him down, and Tuivasa remains upright and just misses a knee to the face. They begin to start brawling, with no defense and all power strikes. Tuivasa walks through a flurry, chomps down on his gumshield, and blasts Lewis in the face with a salvo of powerful punches. Lewis takes the brunt of the shots on the chin, and suddenly he is hurt! Tuivasa gets off a blistering elbow in close range, swinging with all his might with a few more punches to follow. Right in Lewis’ face, Tuivasa smashes “The Black Beast” with an elbow that wrecks Lewis. The Houstonian crumples, his knees giving way as he falls face-first to the ground. Miragliotta takes a second to realize that Lewis is out cold, and he jumps in to stop the fight. What an unbelievable knockout for an instant title contender, one who has won five in a row by knockout, but none bigger than this one. Leaping on the cage to celebrate his work in what has become a victory tradition, Tuivasa pours a beer into a shoe and chugs it. The UFC has a star on its hands here.
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Derrick Lewis R2 1:40 via KO (Elbow)
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Tuivasa, believing he is the better striker with leg kicks that can slow down Lewis. He thinks Tuivasa's chin is good enough to absorb one big shot from Lewis. He acknowledges that Lewis is always live for a knockout but expects Tuivasa to chop down the tree with leg kicks.
Big Brady thinks Lewis will win by knockout, as Tuivasa's brawling style plays into Lewis's power. He notes Lewis has been finished by top heavyweights like Gane and JDS, but Tuivasa is not on that level. He expects a first round knockout but admits he can't be too confident in a heavyweight fight. He mentions Lewis's low volume but effective striking.
Cody picks Lewis, citing his proven power and resume against top heavyweights. He notes Tuivasa's wins are over lower-level opponents and that he has been rocked before. He expects Tuivasa to come out aggressive but Lewis to land the cleaner shot and finish him, possibly in the first round.
Daniel Levi picks Derrick Lewis to win, but acknowledges the appeal of Tai Tuivasa as a dog. He notes that Lewis has a history of coming back in fights and that his athleticism is underrated. Levi also mentions that Tuivasa is a more talented kickboxer at range and could land low kicks, but Lewis's momentum and power are key. He says he won't talk anyone off a shot of Tuivasa.
Both fighters have knockout power, but Lewis has the hometown advantage and has shown durability. Tuivasa has leg kicks but Lewis only needs one punch. The fight likely ends in the first round. Lewis by first-round KO is the pick, but it's not a lock due to Tuivasa's own power.
Paul expects a wild brawl but leans Lewis due to his experience against top competition and proven power. He notes Tuivasa is still green and has been rocked in fights, while Lewis has fought and beaten elite heavyweights. He thinks Lewis will catch Tuivasa with a more meaningful shot, likely in the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Derrick Lewis by first-round KO, citing his power advantage and durability. He expects a back-and-forth slugfest but believes Lewis will land the cleaner shot.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 21 of 29 | 72% | 40 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Augusto Sakai | 1 | 34 of 52 | 65% | 44 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 19 of 26 | 73% | 38 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Augusto Sakai | 0 | 24 of 37 | 64% | 34 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:57 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Augusto Sakai | 1 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 21 of 29 | 72% | 6 of 12 | 12 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 12 | 16 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
| Augusto Sakai | 34 of 52 | 65% | 26 of 43 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 13 of 27 | 21 of 25 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 19 of 26 | 73% | 4 of 9 | 12 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 9 | 16 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
| Augusto Sakai | 24 of 37 | 64% | 16 of 28 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 16 | 19 of 21 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Augusto Sakai | 10 of 15 | 66% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Meat is on the menu for this lone rumble on the card above 185 pounds, when Sakai (15-3-1, 4-2 UFC) and Tuivasa (12-3, 6-3 UFC) combine for 528 ready pounds inside the Octagon. Both sport 11 wins by knockout hoping to land another as rare members of the 30-and-under heavyweight club. The third man in the cage is referee Mark Smith, who hopes not to get blonked by an errant blow when these two come out swinging. They do clap hands to get things going, and the fight begins with Tuivasa taking the center of the cage plodding forward to walk Sakai down. Neither throw a strike of note for the first 55 seconds, until Sakai lands a single leg kick to counter a jab from the Aussie. Sakai goes back to circling along the outside, and he pops Tuivasa with another low leg kick. Tuivasa eats another as he continues to walk forward without engaging, until he looses a short combination that leads to him clinch up with his opponent. A stalemate ensues as they cling on one another, and Sakai is warned for smacking Tuivasa in the back of the head with a short shot. Tuivasa gets off a few punches to the midsection, and Sakai takes that personally as he turns him around and they both throw leather. Neither land flush, and Tuivasa returns to his constant forward motion. Tuivasa loads up with a huge uppercut, and he wings punches until Sakai ties him up. The Brazilian defends with his back against the wall with punches on Tuivasa’s ear, and he thinks to set up a high standing guillotine but there is nothing there. Sakai winds up with a knee right to the midsection, and he starts ripping them to the body to decent effect. The Aussie complains one might have gone low, and when Smith does not intervene, Tuivasa takes things into his own hands as he elbows Sakai hard on the chin. Tuivasa lets loose with a short barrage of blows, and Sakai slows him down with a few knees to the belly before the round ends in the clinch.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa
Round 2
The fighters meet in the center of the cage and throw, and it is Tuivasa who lands flush first and in volume. Sakai is hurt after taking a left hook square on the chin, and he falls back to the wall while trying to blink it out.
“Bam Bam” does not let him off the hook, blasting him with huge punches as Sakai is barely on his feet. The Aussie lets it rip as he chains punches together, and one lands right on the button to completely disable Sakai. Sakai falls to the ground, consciousness completely stripped away, and his leg bends back in a scary way reminiscent of Mirko Filipovic against Gabriel Gonzaga.
The walk-off knockout successful, Tuivasa jumps on top of the cage and signals for someone to throw him a shoe and a can of beer. In what has become his trademark, Tuivasa completely wins the crowd over by pouring the full beer in the shoe and pounding it after a dramatic victory. That’s four in a row for the boisterous Aussie, who could not be happier with his performance.
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Augusto Sakai R2 0:26 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (3)
Big Brady edges with Augusto Sakai in a close fight. He notes that both fighters have similar striking and grappling numbers, but Sakai has better cardio and has gone to decisions against tough opponents. Tuivasa tends to fade after the first round, while Sakai is more comfortable in later rounds. Brady expects Sakai to win a 29-28 decision, but acknowledges Tuivasa's power and early-round finishing ability make this a pick'em.
Daniel Levi picks Tai Tuivasa, noting that Sakai's chin has been checked in his last two losses and his confidence may be shaken. He believes Tuivasa's brawling style and power could get Sakai out early. Levi acknowledges that an extended fight favors Sakai's methodical approach, but he thinks Tuivasa will have big moments that sway the judges. He also mentions Tuivasa's improved training at AKA and lifestyle changes. Levi is not sure it will be a knockout but expects Tuivasa to win.
The MMA Guru picks Tai Tuivasa to win by first-round KO. He highlights Tuivasa's improved cardio and calf kicks, which he believes will wear down Sakai. He criticizes Sakai's chin and notes he is coming off a KO loss. He predicts Tuivasa will land a counter right hand or left hook to finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 11 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Greg Hardy | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 11 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Greg Hardy | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 11 of 23 | 47% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 7 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Greg Hardy | 6 of 15 | 40% | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 11 of 23 | 47% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 7 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Greg Hardy | 6 of 15 | 40% | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
As per usual, an unranked heavyweight brawl takes high placement on the main card over other ranked fighters below it, this time with Tuivasa (11-3, 5-3 UFC) and Hardy (7-3, 1 NC; 4-3, 1 NC UFC) ready to throw fastballs. A full 527.5 pounds will measure between these sluggers, along with 16 knockouts in their combined 18 victories. Referee Mark Smith is already holding on to his proverbial hat inside the Octagon, and the heavyweights decide to touch gloves before throwing down. Hardy points to the center of the cage to incite a brawl, and Tuivasa laughs it off with several heavy leg kicks that catch Hardy off-guard. Hardy stings Tuivasa with a long left hand, and he peppers Tuivasa with several jabs before absorbing a popping leg kick. Tuivasa sits down on a right hand, and Hardy eats it like a Vegemite sandwich and fires right back at him. Both big men blast each other with power punches, and the Aussie staggers as he backs off, surprised that Hardy's right hand on the temple hurt him. Hardy crashes in to put him away, and Tuivasa is right there like Scott Smith against Pete Sell, nailing Hardy with a right hand and freezing him in his tracks with a missile of a left hand. Hardy’s legs crumble beneath him as if he were a puppet that had its strings cut, and Tuivasa leaps on his damaged opponent to pound him out. It does not take more than a couple follow-up punches for Smith to call the fight, as Hardy’s eyes roll back in his head from the hammering shots. A speedy victory leads to Tuivasa leaping on top of the cage, and he calls for his corner to supply him with his trademark celebratory beverage. The commission does not get in the way, allowing the ecstatic Aussie to drink beer out of a shoe to the delight of the T-Mobile Arena. He calls on fans to supply him with more shoeys on the way out in his post-fight interview, and pounds a few as he strides back to the locker room. Jorge Masvidal is there to greet him, and he meets “Bam Bam” with a warm, alcohol-soaked embrace.
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Greg Hardy R1 1:07 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo is very confident in Tuivasa, calling it a mismatch. He highlights Tuivasa's technical striking, heavy hands, Samoan chin, and takedown defense. He notes Hardy has no ground game and is clueless on the mat. He has a moneyline bet on Tuivasa and has him in his DraftKings lineup.
Big Brady picks Greg Hardy to win by decision. He notes Hardy's volume (4.83 strikes per minute) and positive strike differential, and believes the bigger cage favors Hardy's range management. He expects Hardy to stay on the outside and outland Tuivasa. He acknowledges Hardy's cardio concerns but thinks Tuivasa won't attempt takedowns, so Hardy won't gas. He also notes Tuivasa's chin but thinks Hardy can avoid getting clipped.
Cody picks Tuivasa but is hesitant. He notes Hardy's cardio issues and asthma, and Tuivasa's durability and leg kicks. He expects Hardy to win the first round but fade, allowing Tuivasa to come back. He suggests betting Tuivasa live after the first round.
Daniel Levi picks Tai Tuivasa to win. He highlights Tuivasa's better technique, volume, and experience against higher-level competition, including former champions. He notes that Greg Hardy has cardio issues and tends to fade in later rounds, as seen in the Marcin Tybura fight. He believes Tuivasa's leg kicks and will to dig deeper will be decisive, and that Hardy is unlikely to take the fight to the ground. He expects Tuivasa to win a decision or possibly get a finish in the later rounds.
Jacob picks Hardy as a value play, expecting a first-round finish either way. He thinks Hardy's wild, powerful striking from odd angles could catch Tuivasa early. He admits it's a coin flip but likes Hardy at 7800 in DraftKings. He acknowledges this is his last time backing Hardy after being burned before.
I'm taking Tuivasa here. Hardy has cardio issues and will struggle to get his stick-and-move game off. Tuivasa will pressure him, land combinations, and push him against the cage. Hardy gassed against Tybura, and I think Tuivasa will knock him out in the second or third round. I like Tuivasa by KO round 2 or 3.
Paul picks Tuivasa but is hesitant. He notes Hardy's athleticism and improvements but questions his cardio. He thinks Tuivasa's durability and ability to keep coming will be key. He expects Hardy to win the first round but fade, and Tuivasa to take over.
The Guru predicts Tuivasa will win by first-round KO. He expects Tuivasa to use calf kicks to destroy Hardy's lead leg, a rare weapon in the heavyweight division. After Hardy throws some early bombs, Tuivasa will chop at the calf repeatedly, causing Hardy to stumble and move backwards. Tuivasa will then clinch against the cage, land body shots and elbows, and break with a big right hand that drops Hardy. The Guru sees a finish similar to Tuivasa's previous win over Jorgen de Castro.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 14 of 18 | 77% | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Harry Hunsucker | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 14 of 18 | 77% | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Harry Hunsucker | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 14 of 18 | 77% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
| Harry Hunsucker | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 14 of 18 | 77% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
| Harry Hunsucker | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Hang on to your hats, two heavyweight brawlers in Tuivasa (10-3, 4-3 UFC) and Hunsucker (7-3, 0-0 UFC) are set to throw down to kick off the main card. Two big men with one combined decision win between them look to get things done early, and referee Herb Dean may have his hands full. There is a good-natured glove touch, and the fun begins. Tuivasa lands a heavy leg kick, and Hunsucker responds with one. They trade them, until Hunsucker crashes forward and lands big shots. Tuivasa hurts the newcomer’s leg with kicks, and both men throw heavy leather but Hunsucker is in trouble already.
A booming right hand from Tuivasa hurts Hunsucker, and another that follows sends “The Hurricane” crashing down to the ground. Tuivasa smells blood and wants to finish the job, where he drops down bombs and Hunsucker kicks off to get Tuivasa to readjust himself. From there, “Bam Bam” clubs Hunsucker repeatedly until Dean halts the fight, with Hunsucker unable to defend himself from punishment any longer.
Tuivasa gets the job done in under a minute, and he rushes about the cage to find a shoe and a cold beverage, but there are none to be had. He’ll get one backstage, don’t worry.
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Harry Hunsucker R1 0:49 via TKO (Punches)
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady picks Tai Tuivasa, expecting a first-round knockout. He notes Hunsucker has never seen the second round, has poor cardio, and is coming in on short notice. Tuivasa has deadly leg kicks and power, and Brady believes he will overwhelm Hunsucker quickly. He advises against laying -400 but likes the under or Tuivasa by KO.
Daniel Levi picks Tai Tuivasa by first-round knockout. He describes Hunsucker as a kamikaze fighter who has never been past the first round and has been knocked out by lower-level vets. He expects Tuivasa to tee off and finish early with a left hook or overhand.
Tuivasa should win by finish, but the line is expected to be too high (around -300 to -400). Hunsucker has never been out of the first round and has power, but his cardio is poor. Tuivasa is not the most reliable fighter. The under 1.5 rounds is the best bet, as both guys are likely to swing for a KO early. Avoid playing Tuivasa at heavy chalk.
The MMA Guru picks Tai Tuivasa over Harry Hunsucker (misspelled as DonTayle Mays). He believes Tuivasa's calf kicks will set up his shots upstairs, and he expects a decision win (29-28). He notes Hunsucker is difficult to finish but has been finished by submission recently, which Tuivasa won't do. He thinks Tuivasa will control the first two rounds clearly.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 13 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Stefan Struve | 1 | 27 of 42 | 64% | 48 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 13 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Stefan Struve | 1 | 27 of 42 | 64% | 48 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 13 of 19 | 68% | 4 of 6 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Stefan Struve | 27 of 42 | 64% | 15 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 28 | 10 of 11 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 13 of 19 | 68% | 4 of 6 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Stefan Struve | 27 of 42 | 64% | 15 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 28 | 10 of 11 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Our preliminary headliner comes in the form of heavyweight rumble for as long as it lasts, when “Skyscraper” Struve (29-12, 13-10 UFC) encounters the thunderous strikes of “Bam Bam” Tuivasa (9-3, 3-3 UFC). Chins will likely be tested and so will the cage floor with 530 pounds of fury between the two, and these two have won just three decisions across their total 38 wins between them. The much smaller referee Jason Herzog may have his hands full here, but the respect comes early as the two touch gloves. Struve jumps forward with a front kick to the body, and then lands another with his incredibly long legs. Tuivasa avoids a head kick that zooms by his head, and Struve connects another front kick. Tuivasa swings and miss with a crazy right hand, but the seven-footer is able to roll with it. The Aussie kicks the lead leg once, and he presses forward into the clinch. Tuivasa pushes heavy on his taller foe while getting off a few knees to the thigh, and Struve attempts a trip takedown that does not succeed. Tuivasa rips the body once, and Struve considers a guillotine choke but Tuivasa breaks the grip. “Bam Bam” pushes away, and he gets kicked in the torso for his effort. Tuivasa returns fire with a big right hand, but Struve’s chin stays together. The Dutchman kicks the lead leg and keeps his distance, but he wades forward and slaps Tuivasa in the face with a slow kick. Tuivasa bull-rushes him with a few looping punches, and he closes the distance to get Struve tied up against the cage wall. Tuivasa rings off an elbow on the break, and he misses with the subsequent strikes. Tuivasa chops at the lead leg, and he absorbs a body kick around the liver. The Aussie again targets the leg, and he manages to avoid one that comes back while attacking it again. Tuivasa kicks the other leg while Struve keeps a long distance, and Struve connects with a few kicks to the midsection. Tuivasa hammers the lead leg of “Skyscraper” to force Struve to turn around and change his stance. Tuivasa blitzes with some big punches, and an uppercut hurts Struve.
The Aussie throws him down to the ground like a Tim Boetsch toss, and when Struve scrambles back up, Tuivasa is on him with a barrage of deadly punches. Two left hands, a few rights and a couple to the body bust up Struve, but the felling blow comes in the form of an uppercut that splits the uprights and sends the seven-foot fighter crashing down to the ground.
Herzog leaps in to stop the fight with mere seconds left in the round, and Tuivasa celebrates by jumping over the fence to search of a shoe – but UFC officials do not allow him to pour beer in it. Rest assured, there will be shoeys backstage.
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve R1 4:59 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady leans towards Tai Tuivasa, citing Struve's poor chin and tendency to back up against the cage. He notes Tuivasa's power and leg kicks, but is concerned about Tuivasa's cardio and takedown defense. He predicts a first-round knockout, but is not comfortable betting it heavily.
Daniel Levi picks Tai Tuivasa by knockout, citing his training at AKA and improved discipline. He notes that Struve rarely shoots takedowns (0.6 per 15 minutes) and often pulls guard, while Tuivasa will back him up with leg kicks and a big left hook. He warns Tuivasa not to do anything stupid and expects a knockout.
The host picks Stefan Struve, citing his jiu-jitsu advantage and Tuivasa's poor takedown defense. He notes that Struve's striking has improved and that Tuivasa is hittable. However, he only bets Struve if he is a dog, as he sees the fight as a coin flip.
The MMA Guru picks Tai Tuivasa to win by first-round KO. He notes that Struve has been KO'd many times and has a weak chin, while Tuivasa has power and has moved to AKA to improve his game. He expects Tuivasa to land one shot and finish Struve early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serghei Spivac | 0 | 21 of 50 | 42% | 22 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 23 of 42 | 54% | 40 of 60 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 4:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serghei Spivac | 0 | 13 of 37 | 35% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 21 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 | |
| 2 | Serghei Spivac | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 19 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:57 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serghei Spivac | 21 of 50 | 42% | 8 of 32 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 10 | 17 of 39 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 2 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 23 of 42 | 54% | 22 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 14 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serghei Spivac | 13 of 37 | 35% | 4 of 24 | 1 of 4 | 8 of 9 | 12 of 29 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 2 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 10 of 20 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | |
| 2 | Serghei Spivac | 8 of 13 | 61% | 4 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 9 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Two heavyweights seeking to get back in the win column are up next, featuring the entertaining Tuivasa (9-2, 3-2 UFC) from Australia clashing with Moldova's Spivak (9-1, 0-1 UFC), with the latter looking for his first UFC win. The referee in charge is Steve Perceval. Touching gloves, Tuivasa immediately searches for a jab before kicking the legs out from underneath the Moldovan. Allowing Spivak to get back to his feet, Tuivasa fires another hard leg kick before launching an uppercut that just misses. A big right hand scores for Tuivasa, and Tuivasa digs a low leg kicks that Spivak uses to take the Aussie to the canvas. "Bam Bam" walks up the cage and gets to his feet, and tries to hit Spivak with a knee on the break. Tuivasa sinks in another low leg kick, and Spivak is unsuccessful on the counter straight right. Tuivasa steps in with a thudding elbow, and Spivak eats it and tries to return fire with one, but he misses. Trying to go for a hip toss, Spivak gets Tuivasa down briefly, but Tuivasa leaps back to his feet and snaps in another leg kick. "The Polar Bear" uses the kick opportunity to take the fight back down, and he hops into half guard before pursuing a scarf hold choke. Tuivasa flails and rolls out of the position, before getting back to his feet much to the delight of the crowd. The Aussie tries to throw a massive right hand, but is way off the mark, and Spivak grabs his larger opponent and hip tosses him back down. Back to the head lock position, Tuivasa is laughing as his opponent as the choke tightens up. Tuivasa is in real danger, but he grits it out and pushes away to stand back up. This does not last for long, as Spivak takes Tuivasa back down once again. Sitting in half guard instead of side control, Spivak rides out the rest of the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Spivak
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Spivak
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Spivak
Round 2
Surprisingly, this fight made it to the second round, and it opens with a winging right hand from Spivak that Tuivasa shrugs off. Spivak sets up a jab into a right, and then chains that into a takedown that awards him with half guard quickly. As Tuivasa stands back up, he eats a knee on the way up, but he pays one right back to Spivak. The Aussie sits down on a right hand, and then backs off Spivak with a straight left hand. The Moldovan steps in to clinch, and tries to throw Tuivasa like he did repeatedly in the first round. Tuivasa is wise to this, and steps out of the position, although Spivak clubs him with an uppercut on the break. Spivak shoots for a low double leg takedown and hits it, getting right to side control before easily taking mount. Dropping down some short elbows, he cuts Tuivasa with one that immediately starts to bleed into the Aussie's eyes. Raining down punch after punch, Tuivasa decides it is in his best interest to punch off his back instead of defend himself. Spivak uses this opportunity to hop over to side control, where he quickly snatches up an arm-triangle choke, and it is tight. Tuivasa tries to defend it by turning into it, but this does not help, and within seconds he loses consciousness, forcing Perceval to stop the fight. With this huge win, Spivak earns his first UFC victory and does so by becoming the first fighter to submit a top-15 ranked Tuivasa.
The Official Result
Sergey Spivak def. Tai Tuivasa R2 3:14 via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 64 of 144 | 44% | 66 of 146 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:38 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 73 of 123 | 59% | 81 of 131 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:48 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 1 | 22 of 34 | 64% | 23 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 | |
| 2 | Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 27 of 62 | 43% | 27 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 30 of 54 | 55% | 30 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Blagoy Ivanov | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 28 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blagoy Ivanov | 64 of 144 | 44% | 39 of 114 | 6 of 7 | 19 of 23 | 50 of 126 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 73 of 123 | 59% | 65 of 114 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 62 of 111 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blagoy Ivanov | 14 of 37 | 37% | 10 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 32 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 22 of 34 | 64% | 20 of 31 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | |
| 2 | Blagoy Ivanov | 27 of 62 | 43% | 17 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 10 | 24 of 57 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 30 of 54 | 55% | 27 of 51 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Blagoy Ivanov | 23 of 45 | 51% | 12 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 9 | 17 of 37 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 21 of 35 | 60% | 18 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 30 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The first fight of the pay-per-view portion of UFC 238 is a heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Blagoy Ivanov. The referee is Dan Miragliotta. They touch gloves and the fight is on. Tuivasa with a low kick. He moves forward but Ivanov circles away. Tuivasa clips Ivanov with a straight right. They clinch against the cage. Tuivasa connects on a short elbow in the clinch. He continues to lean on Ivanov against the cage. They break. Ivanov lands a right hook and drops Tuivasa. Ivanov is now looking for the neck of Tuivasa but Tuivasa recovers quickly and clinches up with Ivanov again. Ivanov has the neck of Tuivasa and uses it to turn Tuivasa against the fence. They break. Tuivasa lands a knee to the body. Ivanov with a straight left hand. Ivanov lands a right hook that wobbles Tuivasa, who responds with a nice 1-2 combination. Ivanov lands a straight right. He lands a straight left and backs Tuivasa up once again. The round soon comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov
Round 2
Round two begins. Ivanov clips Tuivasa with a straight left again. Jab by Ivanov. Tuivasa rocks Ivanov with a straight right. Ivanov is on wobbly legs and could be in serious trouble. Ivanov manages to clinch up and regain his composure. Low kick by Tuivasa. Ivanov lands a straight left. Another straight left by Ivanov. Jab by Ivanov. Tuivasa lands a jab of his own. Ivanov backs Tuivasa against the fence. Tuivasa lands a 1-2 on Ivanov. Jab by Tuivasa. He lands a nasty low kick. Ivanov with a straight left. Both guys are very tired and very slow right now. Ivanov lands a 1-2 of his own. Left straight to the body by Ivanov. Another jab by Ivanov. Tuivasa returns with one of his own. Low kick by Tuivasa. They clinch up. Ivanov is able to drag Tuivasa down to the ground and actually taps Tuivasa out with a guillotine choke but it was after the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov
Round 3
Round three begins. Tuivasa comes out with a jab but Ivanov moves forward and clubs him with a right hook. Tuivasa lands a right hook on Ivanov. They clinch up. Ivanov takes the neck of Tuivasa and drags him to the mat. Tuivasa gets back to his feet but Ivanov continues to lean into him against the cage. They jockey positions against the cage. Ivanov starts to knee Tuivasa in the body. They break. Tuivasa likely needs a finish if he wants to get his hand raised. Tuivasa lands an overhand right and Ivanov returns with a straight left. Another straight left by Ivanov. He lands another left hand, which has been money for him the whole fight. Low kick by Tuivasa. Both guys are absolutely exhausted right now. Jab by Ivanov. The fight comes to a close with both men absolutely exhausted. Terrible fight and you have to question the UFC’s decision to put this on the main card.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov (30-27 Ivanov)
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov (30-27 Ivanov)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov (30-27 Ivanov)
The Official Result
Blagoy Ivanov def. Tai Tuivasa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior dos Santos | 1 | 26 of 65 | 40% | 37 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 16 of 42 | 38% | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior dos Santos | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 12 of 32 | 37% | 12 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 2 | Junior dos Santos | 1 | 16 of 42 | 38% | 25 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior dos Santos | 26 of 65 | 40% | 20 of 55 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 27 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 16 of 42 | 38% | 9 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 10 of 32 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior dos Santos | 10 of 23 | 43% | 4 of 14 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 12 of 32 | 37% | 6 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 22 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Junior dos Santos | 16 of 42 | 38% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 27 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 4 of 10 | 40% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Tuivasa lunges forward aggressively and stumbles into the cage after missing a combination. Tuivasa is getting a little wild in his pursuit early on, as he falls forward again. Dos Santos circles on the outside, looking to jab the body. Tuivasa ties up his opponent and presses him into the fence. Dos Santos breaks free and comes up short on a spinning back kick. “Cigano” whiffs on a massive overhand. A short right from JDS catches Tuivasa coming in. “Bam Bam” is unfazed and he clinches, landing an elbow on the break. A spinning back kick up high glances past Tuivasa’s head. A right uppercut lands for dos Santos, but Tuivasa remains in pursuit. A low kick by Tuivasa makes JDS stumble. Tuivasa moves into the clinch, and he goes to the body and then lands a big punch upstairs. Tuivasa finds the Brazilian’s chin once more before forcing another clinch. Strong close to the round for Tuivasa. 10-9 Tuivasa.
Round 2
Dos Santos’ mobility already looks hindered at the outset of the period due to the leg kick from the previous round. Tuivasa punches his way into the clinch. then they separate. Tuivasa follows an overhand right back into the clinch once again. Dos Santos checks a leg kick and lands one of his own. Tuivasa lands a right to the body and presses the Brazilian back into the fence. The former heavyweight champ rocks Tuivasa, who shakes it off and waves his foe on. Dos Santos tags an onrushing Tuivasa with a left hook to the chin, then drops him with a short right. JDS follows his foe to the mat and ends up in side control, where he drops short elbows to the head. “Cigano” moves to mount. He postures up and unloads with punches and hammerfists. Herb Dean is taking a close look, and after watching a flurry of unanswered ground-and-pound, he calls off the heavyweight fight.
The Result
Junior dos Santos def. Tai Tuivasa via TKO (Punches) R2 2:30
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 51 of 125 | 40% | 52 of 126 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 1 | 54 of 120 | 45% | 54 of 120 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 1 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 17 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:20 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 19 of 45 | 42% | 20 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 15 of 42 | 35% | 15 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 3 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 19 of 52 | 36% | 19 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 22 of 46 | 47% | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 51 of 125 | 40% | 32 of 97 | 7 of 10 | 12 of 18 | 46 of 116 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 2 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 54 of 120 | 45% | 36 of 98 | 12 of 15 | 6 of 7 | 49 of 109 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 13 of 28 | 46% | 7 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 10 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 17 of 32 | 53% | 11 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 24 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tai Tuivasa | 19 of 45 | 42% | 12 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 19 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 15 of 42 | 35% | 11 of 36 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 15 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tai Tuivasa | 19 of 52 | 36% | 13 of 42 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 17 of 48 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 22 of 46 | 47% | 14 of 36 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Tuivasa connects with a glancing uppercut and gets clipped with an Arlovski right hand in the opening minute, but neither heavyweight appears to have taken much damage. The big men clinch up, Arlovski tries a throw, and Tuivasa forces him to the ground. The Australian steps over to full mount immediately, putting all 261 pounds squarely on Arlovski's trunk. Tuivasa is unable to do much from the position, as Arlovski has both of the prospect's arms locked down. Arlovski bumps and rolls Tuivasa out of mount, then scrambles back to his feet with two minutes on the clock. Tuivasa sends him right back to the floor with a right hand, then tells referee Rob Madrigal for a stand-up. Arlovski tries to slow things down with a clinch, but Tuivasa breaks free and assaults the ex-champ with knees, now another big right hand. Tuivasa looks to be cut on the bridge of his nose, but the bleeding has slowed down by the time the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tuivasa
Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Tuivasa
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tuivasa
Round 2
Arlovski comes out pumping his jab, looking to keep Tuivasa on the outside with long punches and leg kicks. Tuivasa fakes a shot and nearly gets caught with a left high kick. Arlovski eats a two-piece but strikes back at Tuivasa with a leg kick and a right hand. Arlovski is starting to string together some nice combinations here in the first half of round two, while Tuivasa finding it increasingly difficult to find his range. Tuivasa slows things down with a clinch, but Arlovski breaks out and double-pumps his jab in the Aussie's bloodied face. Tuivasa backs up "The Pit Bull" with a body-head combo, but when he comes in to clinch, Arlovski spins him against the fence. Arlovski hits a takedown but can't keek Tuivasa on the mat, and now the heavyweights are back to trading with one minute on the clock. Referee Madrigal pauses the fight after Arlovski appears to take a poke in the right eye; instant replay shows that, while Tuivasa did slap an open hand across Arlovski's face, there did not appear to be an eye poke. Arlovski is quickly cleared to continue, but neither fighter is able to accomplish much in the final 45 seconds of striking.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Arlovski
Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Arlovski
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Arlovski
Round 3
Tuivasa looks to be the aggressor as the final round begins, lobbing power punches which back up Arlovski but don't quite find their target. There's little to choose between the fighters in the first 120 seconds, though Arlovski picks at "Bam Bam" with some jabs and low kicks. Arlovski is breathing with his mouth wide open as he circles to his left around the outside. Tuivasa looks for a clinch, maybe a takedown, but he's denied by the Belarusian. With 1:50 on the clock, Tuivasa connects with a big right hand, then shoves Arlovski against the wall and tacks on another pair of punches, then an elbow. Arlovski cracks back with a counter right of his own, but Tuivasa just did the best work of the round so far. Arlovski goes back to striking from distance in the final minute, sticking Tuivasa with some stiff jabs on his already bloodied nose. Arlovski spends much of the final 10 seconds marching around the edge with an arm raised, apparently confident that he's won a decision.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tuivasa (29-28 Tuivasa)
Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Arlovski (29-28 Arlovski)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tuivasa (29-28 Tuivasa)
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Andrei Arlovski via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 38 of 51 | 74% | 39 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Cyril Asker | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 38 of 51 | 74% | 39 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Cyril Asker | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 38 of 51 | 74% | 30 of 43 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 37 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Cyril Asker | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 38 of 51 | 74% | 30 of 43 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 37 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Cyril Asker | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Asker drops low and puts a right hand in Tuivasa's breadbasket, but the Frenchman is caught with a Tuivasa uppercut before he can get upright again. Tuivasa pressures from the center, backing up Asker to the fence. "Bam Bam" connects with a right hand as he steps inside and shoves Asker against the cage. Asker eats a heavy right hand that puts him on rollerskates, and now Tuivasa smells blood. Tuivasa tees off with uppercuts, hooks, standing elbows, throwing the kitchen sink at Asker, who is somehow still standing. Asker looks finished, propping himself up against the cage as Tuivasa rattles his brain with a barrage of strikes. Another standing elbow slices open Asker above the left brow. Tuivasa's next combination and a follow-up shove sends the "Silverback" crashing to the canvas, and finally referee Steve Perceval has seen enough.
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Cyril Asker via TKO (Punches and Elbows) R1 2:18
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Rashad Coulter | 1 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 22 of 36 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Rashad Coulter | 1 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 22 of 36 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | 10 of 19 | 52% | 2 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 2 |
| Rashad Coulter | 22 of 36 | 61% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 25 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tai Tuivasa | 10 of 19 | 52% | 2 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 2 |
| Rashad Coulter | 22 of 36 | 61% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 25 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Coulter quickly clinches and pushes Tuivasa against the fence, but the Australian spins him around and separates. Tuivasa barely misses with a pair of heavy punches, and he winds up holding Coulter on the cage again. Coulter pushes him away, comes forward to try another takedown and is helped out by Tuivasa, who basically pulls the Texan on top of him. Tuivasa escapes to his feet, now two minutes into the round, and the heavyweights resume striking in the center of the cage. Tuivasa chops at Coulter's lead leg but pulls up short on more punches as Coulter stays just out of range. Tuivasa steps inside with a kick to the body, then slams Coulter with an uppercut and a body shot before pinning him to the wall. Tuivasa backs up to throw punches, but it allows Coulter to escape to the center of the cage. Tuivasa buckles the left leg of Coulter, who tries to scramble back to his feet and is greeted by a flying knee from the Australian newcomer. Coulter is out cold before he hits the ground, and referee John Sharp rushes in to save him from further damage.
The Official Result
Tai Tuivasa def. Rashad Coulter via KO (Flying Knee) R1 4:35
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!