He’s the UFC joker... but there’s a big change in Aussie cult hero ahead of blockbuster fight

Australian cult hero Tai Tuivasa has quickly become one of the UFC’s most popular fan favourites.

A big part of his appeal is undoubtedly the fact that he has helped popularise the ‘shoey’ – the not-so-hygienic practice of ‘skulling’ a beer from a shoe, usually worn by a stranger.

In fact, the ‘shoey’ has become such a phenomenon that Tuivasa is riding its wave of momentum all the way to the retail sector, with a contraption called the ‘Shuivasa’, designed to help everyday people execute a ‘shoey’, set to hit stores around the world next week.

Watch UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday 13th February from 2pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >

Whittaker 'hungrier than ever' for belt | 03:28

The No.11 heavyweight contender from western Sydney is a larrikin with an infectious personality and entertaining the fans is his top priority.

Who could forget some of his walkout song choices such as “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls and “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion?

Tuivasa certainly has a unique sense of humour that resonates with the masses, and he’s made no secret of the fact that he loves to party and consume copious amounts of alcohol while doing so.

But beneath the fun personality, the jokes, the ‘shoeys’ and the walkout songs lies an extremely dangerous fighter.

Tuivasa (13-3) finds himself in the UFC 271 co-main event for a reason - his knockout power is devastating.

WEIGH-IN: Adesanya’s simple reality check for Whittaker

ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about UFC 271

PAY DAY: Adesanya hits jackpot with monster contract

PRESS CONFERENCE: Kiwi UFC star taunts Aussie rival with ultimate troll

"I have properties in there rent free" | 00:52

Twelve of his 13 MMA victories have been achieved by that method, and 11 of those fights have ended in the first round.

The 28-year-old is enjoying a UFC career-best four-fight winning streak having run through Stefan Struve, Harry Hunsucker, Greg Hardy and Augusto Sakai.

It’s been a sensational turnaround considering it was preceded by a three-fight losing skid which put his future with the company in a precarious position.

The penny has dropped for Tuivasa and he is taking the fight game seriously for the first time in his career thanks to his newfound professionalism away from the octagon in his training camps.

READ MORE

‘WE’RE GOING TO SEE THE SHOEY’: Aussie star backed to expose UFC ‘quitter’

‘GET’S ME HEATED UP’: Adesanya’s dream revealed amid feud with homeland

‘HE’S NO.1’: How Whittaker’s value would explode by beating Adesanya

‘IT’S A LIE’: Adesanya rubbishes Whittaker hate claim ... and Aussie’s ‘revised skills’

His purple patch has brought him to the biggest, and most important, fight of his career against the fearsome Derrick Lewis (26-8, 1NC) in the No.3 contender’s hometown Houston.

It is a huge step up for Tuivasa who has never faced anyone the calibre of Lewis.

Tuivasa might be an impressive knockout artist, but Lewis has an even greater track record of putting his opponents to sleep. “The Black Beast” is the UFC’s all-time knockout record holder (13), a feat he achieved in December when he shut Chris Daukaus’ lights out in Las Vegas.

Suffice to say, neither Tuivasa or Lewis see their fight reaching the second round.

“I’m coming to knock his ass out,” Lewis said at the UFC 271 press conference.

Tuivasa responded: “I’m coming to do the same thing, bruh.”

To which Lewis, reacted: “Let’s swing and bang, then.”

Tuivasa couldn’t contain his excitement for the fight.

“It’s either going to be my head or his head, we entertain the fans so we’re coming here to take heads off,” he said.

Lewis has also been involved in two heavyweight championship fights, the last of which coming as recently as August when he took on Ciryl Gane for the interim belt at the same venue where he will lock horns with Tuivasa, the Toyota Center.

The 37-year-old, who has 21 career KOs to his credit, was unsuccessful on that occasion, but remains one of the top contenders in the heavyweight division.

And it’s because of that that Tuivasa now has a golden opportunity to break into the top five and legitimately put his name in the conversation for a title shot for the first time in his career.

Whittaker, Tuivasa fired up for UFC271 | 01:12

UFC boss Dana White said as much at the UFC 271 press conference on Friday (AEDT).

When asked if the winner would catapult himself into the conversation with Gane, Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones as a heavyweight contender, White said: “Yeah absolutely that’s a big fight in the division.”

During the week, Tuivasa told Fox Sports’ Fight Week that the prospect of joining the ranks of the elite “sounds pretty cool”.

“Definitely a win on the weekend is going to get me up there with the big fellas so I’m pumped,” he said.

As Tuivasa prepares for his date with destiny, he foresaw himself raising the ‘shoey’ stakes to a whole new level if he managed to defeat Lewis, saying he would be willing to chug some beer out of his opponent’s cup in celebration.

“He can throw it to me when I win, and I’ll do a ‘cuppy’ out of his ball guard, then. I’m keen,” Tuivasa said.

Yes. Seriously.

It makes one shudder to think about what Tuivasa would do if he one day became the champion.