It’s no secret that popular UFC Perth heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has been mired in a slump.
He’ll look to change that up this Saturday when he faces off against Louie Sutherland, a short-notice replacement stepping in for the injured Sean Sharaf.
Tuivasa (14-9) has dropped six straight, the sort of skid that normally spells an exit from the UFC. Yet the Australian is a popular figure in the promotion, over with fans, which has earned him more breathing room than most are afforded.
Still, asked during the UFC Perth media day what goes through his mind at times like these, Tuivasa explained that “it gets sh*ttier when you lose, that’s for sure. That’s for real. But it is what it is. I’m ready, I’ve put in a lot of work this camp. And last camp. I just had a sh*t fight last one, we took a lot of positives away from it so it is what it is. And I’m ready to scrap, I’m ready to go.”
Asked if he had taken on a burden from the losses, Tuivasa was blunt. “When you get a hiding six times, it’s f*cking… come on. I’m competing at a top level, but it’s still a sh*t feeling.”
That doesn’t stop fans from asking Tuivasa to do a “shoey,” the rather unique tradition that sees him spit into a shoe full of beer and drink it. The heavyweight doesn’t seem to mind that fan enthusiasm either, despite the dire spot he finds himself in.
“I love the shoey. I’m going to do one very soon. I’m keen. I’m ready. I’ve put the work in, so it is what it is. I’d better go out there and do my thing.”
Overall, however, Tai Tuivasa knows exactly what his fight at UFC Perth this Saturday represents.
“My ass is on the line. Look, it’s probably been on the line a lot of the time, but I f*cking put asses in the seats, so it is what it is. I feel good, and I’m going to go out there and do what ‘Bam-Bam’ does in ‘Bam-Bam’ style. And not f*cking lose. D*ckheads.”
Watch the full UFC Perth media day appearance by Tai Tuivasa above.
