Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne
UFC 331 · September 19, 2026 · Crypto.com Arena · Prelims 6:00 PM ET
The brief
- What kind of fight
- Heavyweight puncher's brawl
- Finish likelihood
- Very High
- The line
- No line posted yet
- The stakes
- Heavyweight · Prelims
The read
Despaigne is the pick to end this early.
His reach and leg kicks should let him pick Tuivasa apart before the Australian can ever close the distance, and Tuivasa's defense has been repeatedly exposed during his skid. Tuivasa's only real route is an early left hand before Despaigne finds his range, since the Cuban has never had to survive past two minutes in the UFC.
Despaigne by knockout inside two rounds is the call.
The matchup
Despaigne's height, reach, and pure knockout power make him a dangerous stylistic nightmare for a fading Tuivasa.
The Cuban Olympian is five inches taller with an 84-inch reach and a kicking arsenal from his taekwondo background, and all six of his pro wins have ended by knockout.
Tuivasa's game has always been walking forward and testing a chin, but he's lost seven of his last eight fights, several to exactly this kind of length and power.
Tale of the tape
| 14-10 | Record | 6-2 |
| 33 | Age | 38 |
| 6'2" | Height | 6'7" |
| 75" | Reach | 84" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| Australia | Country | Cuba |
| American Top Team | Team | — |
The numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
The fighters
Tai Tuivasa 14-10
“Bam Bam”
Tai 'Bam Bam' Tuivasa is an Australian heavyweight and one of the sport's most beloved crowd-pleasers, famous for chugging a beer from his shoe after wins during his hottest run. Thirteen of his fourteen career victories have come by knockout, highlighted by a February 2022 finish of former title challenger Derrick Lewis. He hasn't won since, dropping seven of his last eight to sit one loss shy of the UFC's all-time skid record, most recently a decision loss to Louie Sutherland in May 2026. He has since relocated his training camp to American Top Team in Florida in search of a reset.
- LLouie Sutherland · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates · May 2, 2026
Robelis Despaigne 6-2
“The Big Boy”
Robelis 'The Big Boy' Despaigne is a Cuban heavyweight and a bronze medalist in taekwondo at the 2012 London Olympics, standing 6-foot-7 with an 84-inch reach and finishing every win of his career by knockout. He opened his UFC run with an 18-second knockout of Josh Parisian in March 2024, but was released after back-to-back decision losses. He earned his way back by knocking out former UFC champion Junior dos Santos in the first round of a professional MMA card in May 2026, prompting the UFC to re-sign him.
- WJunior dos Santos · KO/TKO (punch)MVP MMA 1: Rousey vs. Carano · May 16, 2026
- LAusten Lane · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira · October 19, 2024
- LWaldo Cortes-Acosta · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento · May 11, 2024