As local heavyweights go, Tai Tuivasa earned his main event spot at UFC Fight Night 142. Three wins in three Octagon appearances, and all of them pretty decisive, meant it was time for him to take a step up in competition with the spotlight shining on him brightly. So he got to face former champ Junior dos Santos.
There was no real heat between the two before the fight. In fact, they seemed to have gotten married and adopted a baby kangaroo, which is a common thing in Australia. But when the cage door shut it was time for business, and Tuivasa wasted no time chopping away at the Brazilian with kicks, kicks and more kicks. Meanwhile, whenever JDS clinched him, Tuivasa would use that opportunity to land elbows. Things were getting hairy.
And yet, JDS has been an elite heavyweight for a while now – and one of the coolest guys around to boot – so all it took was some sloppiness on Tuivasa’s part and Dos Santos was able to capitalize. A short hook in an exchange sent the Aussie to the canvas, and after some ground and pound, JDS got the win via TKO.
Mid-exchange JDS drops Tuivasa!! #UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/lKJmv8eoiA
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
This loss probably does nothing for Tuivasa’s standing as local hero. Whenever the UFC comes to town, he’ll be on the card. As for Dos Santos… like Shogun’s win in the co-main event, maybe this staves off the talk of retirement for a little while longer?
IT’S OVER! JDS gets it done! #UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/fqyvGip4Yj
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018