Finish the UFC’s greatest ever KO artist in his home city and then neck a beer from a shoe. Tai Tuivasa’s latest exploits were about as Tai Tuivasa as it gets.
The Australian heavyweight delivered just about everything he could have dreamt up at UFC 271 against Derrick Lewis in Houston last month.
He even had Dana White cornered into a ‘shoey’. ‘He f***ing did alright’, offered Tuivasa as a verdict on his boss’ effort and the mad world of the 28-year-old has reached dizzy new heights.
Tai Tuivasa celebrated in trademark style in Houston after beating Derrick Lewis
The compelling ride has taken him to No 3 in the division following his vicious KO
Tuivasa’s fundamental appeal is the everyman honestly in whatever he says and does.
Knock someone out or end up flat on your back, the way he fights means almost every contest is going to end up in that binary choice.
It is compelling to watch, especially from someone so relatable who seems to be chasing memories and moments as much as any grand ambition.
But Tuivasa can no longer be considered as just a fan favourite slugger.
He is the No 3-ranked heavyweight in the UFC and that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is not far away.
Francis Ngannou is out for the rest of the year for surgery on his ACL but the UFC could well introduce an interim belt.
So who could Tuivasa fight next, and how would he match up?
The popular Australian could fight for an interim title if the UFC introduce it
CIRYL GANE
This one makes the most sense.
Gane came up agonizingly short in his title shot against Ngannou despite winning the first two rounds.
Out of nowhere, the champion switched to a wrestling-heavy game plan and it did for the Frenchman.
The 31-year-old still has the world at his feet and remains inexperienced at the top level. It might be a case of Tuivasa being far better off facing him now than further down the line.
Ciryl Gane (bottom) seems the most likely option to be next for Tuivasa
Gane is a smart, calculated striker with incredible athleticism and would know to avoid a brawl with Tuivasa.
The calculated chaos of close-quarters fighting is where Tuivasa thrives and there’s a fair chance, especially over five rounds, that he would have moments of ascendancy.
He lands an average of 4.5 significant strikes per minute and even the fleet-footed Gane might struggle to stay at a safe range.
The cardio advantage would have to go to Gane but one-punch power and inventive finishing belongs to Tuivasa.
STIPE MIOCIC
The former champion is yet to fight since losing his belt to Francis Ngannou.
A potential clash with Jon Jones is floating around as an option but it cannot be depended upon and nobody really knows what ‘Bones’ is thinking.
If that can’t be made, Miocic vs Tuivasa would be a massive event and worthy headliner.
The UFC want to take an event back to Australia now that Covid restrictions are being relaxed globally.
August is being talked about as a potential month for that but it would mean almost a year-and-a-half on the sidelines for Miocic.
Stipe Miocic has not fought since losing against Francis Ngannou a year ago
The American is extremely well rounded and might even be the hardest fight with the least reward for Tuivasa.
Raw power and attacking intensity are in his favour but Miocic is calculated and used to shutting down heavy-handed opponents.
At least Tuivasa, who pays little attention to his rivals, knows Miocic is an option, saying: ‘Brah, I don’t even know who the f*** is in the top five.
‘I don’t watch fighting. I heard there’s the Stipes and Ciryl Ganes and all that up there.
‘But this is my job. I rock up, prepare with my team, and we f***ing punch on.’
Tuivasa fought fire with fire against Lewis and knocked out ‘The Black Beast’
CURTIS BLAYDES
If you’re Tuivasa’s management team, this would be a banana skin to avoid.
Blaydes, ranked one spot below Tuivasa at No 4, is back in the win column and waiting for his next encounter.
He’s won five of his last six and there’s no secret to the strategy he’d employ.
Blaydes would try to take Tuivasa down and drain the gas tank before finishing him with ground and pound or a submission.
It would be a gruelling night unless the Sydney fighter could find a KO and on paper at least, one to avoid.
At 31, there’s a high chance the pair will lock horns at some point further down the road, but Tuivasa would be well advised to steer clear for now, there are bigger fish to fry.
Curtis Blaydes (right) wants the UFC to reintroduce an interim title fight to the division
WINNER OF VOLKOV vs ASPINALL
If, and this is still a big ‘if’, Alexander Volkov is allowed to enter the UK and fight Tom Aspinall at UFC London, the winner will be right up there among the division’s elite.
Volkvov’s status as the headliner is in doubt as the Russian may fail to obtain a UK visa following his nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
Volkov is already ranked No 6, while Aspinall would expect a huge jump from No 11 if he finishes the job on home soil.
To see Aspinall move on to face Tuivasa would be sensational match-making and it would form a brilliant Anglo-Australian rivalry.
Aspinall has looked incredible since joining the UFC and although he wanted to take his journey at a leisurely pace, his talent is outstripping him.
If Gane and Miocic fight each other, or are unavailable, this could be a great option.
Alexander Volkvov (top left) was featured on the UFC London poster despite visa doubts
The winner of Tom Aspinall (left) vs Alexander Volkov (right) could take on Tuivasa
As a co-main event on a card topped by Adesanya in Australia this summer or even headline act, Aspinall vs Tuivasa would be a fascinating and exciting fight between two of the new crop of heavyweights.
Aspinall is quietly confident that he is among the biggest punchers in the division but it is on the ground that he’d fancy his chances.
The way he took down Andrei Arlovski and submitted him so rapidly should be a warning shot to the division.
Volkov would present another set of problems. His height and vast experience count in his favour but he has never quite managed to reach a title fight and lost to Gane, Blayes and Lewis.
Tuivasa could fight on a home card in Australia if the UFC is able to host an event there
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