History of Tai Tuivasa in Timeline

Tai Tuivasa is an Australian mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of May 14, 2024, he holds the #11 position in the UFC heavyweight rankings.

March 1993: Tai Tuivasa is Born

Tai Tuivasa was born in March 1993.

2010: Tuivasa Signs with Sydney Roosters Rugby League Club

In 2010, Tai Tuivasa signed with the professional Sydney Roosters rugby league club but stopped playing due to a gambling addiction.

August 2012: Tuivasa's Professional MMA Debut

Tai Tuivasa made his professional MMA debut in August 2012 in Australia. He fought intermittently for the next four years.

December 2012: Tuivasa's Mixed Rules Bouts with Combat 8 Promotions

In December 2012, Tai Tuivasa fought two mixed rules bouts with Combat 8 promotions. He won his fight against John Hopoate but lost to Peter Graham.

November 2016: Tuivasa Signs with UFC

In November 2016, Tai Tuivasa signed a four-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship but was sidelined due to a knee injury and surgery.

November 2017: Tuivasa's UFC Debut and First Indigenous Australian Victory

On November 19, 2017, Tai Tuivasa made his UFC debut against Rashad Coulter at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura, winning by knockout in the first round. He became the first indigenous Australian to win a UFC fight and earned the Performance of the Night bonus.

February 2018: Tuivasa Defeats Cyril Asker and Enters UFC Rankings

On February 11, 2018, Tai Tuivasa won his fight against Cyril Asker at UFC 221 by technical knockout in the first round. On February 13, 2018, he entered the UFC's official rankings for heavyweight fighters at position 15.

March 2018: Tuivasa Signs New Four-Fight Contract with UFC

Tai Tuivasa signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC in March 2018.

June 2018: Tuivasa Defeats Andrei Arlovski at UFC 225

On June 9, 2018, Tai Tuivasa won his fight against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 225 by unanimous decision.

December 2018: Tuivasa Loses to Junior dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 142

Tai Tuivasa lost his fight against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos on December 2, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 142 by technical knockout in the second round.

2018: Tuivasa Starts "Shoey" Celebration

Since 2018, Tai Tuivasa has celebrated his victories by drinking beer from a borrowed shoe, a practice dubbed the "shoey."

June 2019: Tuivasa Loses to Blagoy Ivanov at UFC 238

On June 8, 2019, Tai Tuivasa lost his fight against Blagoy Ivanov at UFC 238 by unanimous decision.

October 2019: Tuivasa Loses to Serghei Spivac at UFC 243

Tai Tuivasa lost his fight against Serghei Spivac on October 6, 2019, at UFC 243 via an arm-triangle choke in the second round.

June 2020: Tuivasa's Scheduled Fight Against Jarjis Danho Postponed

Tai Tuivasa was scheduled to fight Jarjis Danho on June 6, 2020, at UFC 251, but the event was postponed.

October 2020: Tuivasa Defeats Stefan Struve at UFC 254

On October 24, 2020, Tai Tuivasa won his fight against Stefan Struve at UFC 254 by knockout in the first round.

March 2021: Tuivasa Defeats Harry Hunsucker at UFC on ESPN 21

Tai Tuivasa was originally scheduled to fight Don'Tale Mayes on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21, but Mayes was replaced by Harry Hunsucker. Tuivasa won the fight via a technical knockout in round one.

July 2021: Tuivasa Defeats Greg Hardy at UFC 264

Tai Tuivasa won his fight against Greg Hardy on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264 via knockout in the first round, earning him the Performance of the Night award.

October 2021: Tuivasa's Scheduled Fight Against Walt Harris Cancelled

Tai Tuivasa was scheduled to fight Walt Harris on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267, but Harris pulled out.

November 2021: Tuivasa's Scheduled Fight Against Augusto Sakai Rescheduled Due to Visa Issues

Tuivasa was then scheduled to face Augusto Sakai on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198, but the bout was scrapped because of visa issues for Tuivasa.

December 2021: Tuivasa Defeats Augusto Sakai at UFC 269

Tuivasa and Sakai eventually fought on December 11, 2021, at UFC 269. Tuivasa won by knockout in the second round, earning his third Performance of the Night bonus award.

February 2022: Tuivasa Defeats Derrick Lewis at UFC 271

Tai Tuivasa won his fight against Derrick Lewis on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271 via knockout in round two. The win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus award.

September 2022: Tuivasa Loses to Ciryl Gane at UFC Fight Night 209

Tai Tuivasa lost his fight against Ciryl Gane on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209 by knockout in round three despite knocking down Gane in the second round. The fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.