HOUSTON – Could there be a new knockout king in the UFC heavyweight division after Tai Tuivasa finished Derrick Lewis at UFC 271? That’s certainly the goal “Bam Bam” is working toward.
Tuivasa (15-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) went into enemy territory on Saturday and halted Lewis (26-8 MMA in 17-7 UFC) by second-round knockout in their heavyweight co-main event at Toyota Center. It was a stunning end to an entertaining contest, and by far the biggest win of Tuivasa’s career thus far.
“I thought I did well,” Tuivasa told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 271 post-fight news conference. “Come to Houston, I got a few boos at the start, but turned them into cheers.”
Lewis entered the fight as the record-holder for most knockout wins in UFC history. It’s a label he represents proudly, but Tuivasa gave him a taste of his own medicine.
Tuivasa said he’s not looking to steal Lewis’ “KO King” title away from him, but if he continues his current success, he hopes he’ll eventually surpass the all-time record.
“He’s had his time and I think this is the passing of the torch,” Tuivasa said. “If I keep up doing what I’m doing, and keep focusing on what I need to focus on, I will one day take over.”
After going on a three-fight losing skid earlier in his career, Tuivasa has now put together five straight wins. He was underestimated coming into this fight because of his unique personality and affinity to do shoeys at any opportunity, but Tuivasa said he’s here to make noise as a real contender.
“I don’t mind being the guy who drinks piss out of shoes and this and that,” Tuivasa said. “I suppose everyone just focused on this and that, but at the end of the day, I’m knocking the best in the world out.”
Tuivasa said his next steps will include returning home to spend time with his son. Once he’s through with that phase, he said he’ll begin to look at what’s next. He’s certainly in line for another marquee name in the weight class, but he said he doesn’t know the landscape well enough to call for something specific.
“I don’t even know the f*ck’s in the top five,” Tuivasa said. “I don’t even watch fighting, bro. I heard there’s the Stipe’s and the Ciryl Gane’s and all that and everyone up there.”
Tai Tuivasa says UFC 271 knockout of Derrick Lewis was ‘the passing of the torch’
