Tai Tuivasa

The heavyweights opened with a chaotic striking exchange, with Despaigne landing the larger shots before Tuivasa returned fire. Tuivasa found better moments in the clinch and on the feet in the second, but Despaigne controlled long stretches after the fight hit the canvas. Despaigne scored effectively in the third while neutralizing Tuivasa's attacks, earning the split decision.

Key moments

• Despaigne hurt Tuivasa with the bigger early shots before Tuivasa answered.
• Tuivasa improved in the clinch and standing exchanges, making the fight competitive.
• Despaigne scored while neutralizing Tuivasa's offense to take the split verdict.

Sutherland defeated Tuivasa by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night.

Key moments

• Tuivasa pressed forward behind his boxing threat.
• Sutherland carried the fight through three rounds.
• The judges awarded Sutherland the unanimous decision.

Teixeira defeated Tuivasa by unanimous decision at UFC 325.

Key moments

• Tuivasa looked for power exchanges at heavyweight range.
• Teixeira maintained enough control to reach the judges' decision.
• The judges awarded Teixeira the decision.

Rozenstruik defeated Tuivasa by split decision at UFC 305.

Key moments

• Both heavyweights exchanged measured power shots.
• The close fight produced a split verdict.
• Rozenstruik was awarded the decision.

Tybura submitted Tuivasa by technical submission at UFC Fight Night.

Key moments

• Tybura closed distance and initiated the grappling phase.
• The fight ended by a rear-naked-choke technical submission in round one.
• The submission ended the bout at 4:08 of round one.

Volkov submitted Tuivasa with an Ezekiel choke at UFC 293.

Key moments

• Tuivasa created early heavyweight striking exchanges.
• Volkov transitioned to the finishing choke in round two.
• The submission ended the bout at 4:37 of round two.

Headlining the first UFC card in Paris, Gane survived an early scare — Tuivasa rocked him in the first round — before settling into his rhythm.

Key moments

• Tuivasa hurt Gane early in round one.
• Gane regrouped and out-struck Tuivasa over the next two rounds.
• Third-round KO in front of a roaring Paris crowd.

In a Houston co-main event, Tuivasa absorbed punishment in the early going then turned the tables in round two, landing a standing elbow that dropped Lewis and face-planted him. Tuivasa followed with punches for the stoppage at 1:40 of round 2 — a signature knockout on his way up the heavyweight rankings.

Key moments

• Tuivasa took early punishment before storming back in round 2.
• A standing elbow landed flush and sent Lewis to the canvas.
• Tuivasa followed with punches for the TKO stoppage at 1:40.
• The knockout came in front of Lewis's home crowd at the Toyota Center in Houston.