Tai Tuivasa is growing increasingly frustrated with his inability to break free from his losing streak following his defeat at UFC 325.
Last Saturday at UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, the popular heavyweight fighter made his return to the Octagon after nearly two years away.
Known as “Bam Bang,” Tuivasa faced Talison Teixeira, who himself was aiming to recover from a loss to Derrick Lewis in his previous bout. Despite his urgent need for a win to revive his Premier League status, Tuivasa was outperformed by the Brazilian fighter, extending his losing streak to six consecutive fights—the longest in heavyweight division history.
Reflecting on the fight and his struggles, Tuivasa acknowledged the pain of the ongoing slump and revealed he is seeking guidance from UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. Though he spent ample time away from competition, the 32-year-old showed little sign of growth, as he was again controlled on the ground with three takedowns from Teixeira, who maintained dominance for over seven minutes with minimal effort.
“The pain cuts deeper than any punch,” Tuivasa shared on Instagram. “We put in a lot of work, and while it was a solid camp, there’s a lot more to improve. I appreciate all the love from the fans, especially from Australia. It’s tough letting them down again.” He added, “I feel okay. My son has seen me hide my struggles too many times, but I always tell him that as long as you give it your all, that’s what counts. As long as I’m in this sport, I’ll keep pushing forward… Khamzat Chimaev, I’m coming to wrestle, brother. I’m tired of being held down.”
Considering his prolonged losing run, many speculate whether the UFC might decide to release the once highly ranked contender. However, the latest rankings update this Tuesday shows no sign of Tuivasa being cut, indicating he might still get another opportunity. That said, should he suffer another defeat and extend his unfortunate record, his future in the promotion could become unsustainable.
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Fan Take: Tai Tuivasa’s ongoing losing streak is a pivotal moment for both the fighter and the heavyweight division, highlighting the brutal competitiveness at the top level of UFC. How he bounces back—or fails to—could shape the future dynamics of heavyweight matchups and inspire fighters to continually evolve or face harsh consequences.
