Tai Tuivasa suffered another setback at UFC 331 after Robelis Despaigne earned a split-decision victory over the Australian heavyweight at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The three-round fight ended with the judges awarding Despaigne the win by scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28. The result extended Tuivasa’s losing streak to eight consecutive fights, tying the UFC record for the most consecutive losses.
Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne at UFC 331
The Tai Tuivasa and Robelis Despaigne matchup delivered an entertaining opening round before settling into a more tactical battle.
Despaigne immediately showed his power, sending Tuivasa to the canvas with the first punch he landed. Tuivasa quickly recovered and responded by engaging in an exchange of heavy punches.
The Australian eventually found success in the grappling exchanges. After ending up on top following a takedown, Tuivasa attempted to secure a head-and-arm choke but could not finish the submission before the round ended.
Despaigne Controls Key Moments
Tuivasa came out aggressively in the second round, landing several clean punches before moving into the clinch. Despaigne responded with a sharp knee after the fighters separated.
The Despaigne UFC return then became increasingly effective in the grappling department. During another clinch exchange, Despaigne used a hip toss to put Tuivasa on the mat. The referee eventually stood the fighters up after the action stalled, sending the heavyweight contest into its final round.
Round three was more measured, with Tuivasa attempting to avoid unnecessary exchanges while looking for opportunities to close the distance.
Tuivasa landed an inside leg kick that briefly disrupted Despaigne’s balance before moving into another clinch. Despaigne defended the takedown attempt and created enough space to land damaging strikes.
Another hip toss from Despaigne helped him control the closing stages. Tuivasa was unable to produce a decisive attack during the final seconds, leaving the fight in the hands of the judges.
Tai Tuivasa Ties UFC Record
The defeat was particularly significant for Tuivasa, who has now lost eight straight fights in the UFC.
According to the reported UFC 331 result, Tuivasa joins Tony Ferguson for the promotion’s record for consecutive losses at eight.
Tuivasa’s last victory came at UFC 271 in February 2022, when he stopped Derrick Lewis by second-round knockout. Since then, the heavyweight has been unable to return to the win column.
The latest loss leaves Tai Tuivasa with a professional record of 14-11, including an 8-11 record inside the UFC.
Robelis Despaigne Begins Second UFC Run With a Win
For Robelis Despaigne, the UFC 331 victory marked a successful start to his second run with the promotion.
Despaigne originally made his UFC debut in 2024 and immediately attracted attention by knocking out Josh Parisian in just 18 seconds. However, he subsequently suffered decision defeats against Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austen Lane.
The victory over Tuivasa gives Despaigne a 7-2 professional record and improves his UFC record to 2-2.
Unlike his explosive debut, Despaigne relied more heavily on grappling and positional control to secure the split decision against Tuivasa.
What Comes Next for Tuivasa and Despaigne?
The UFC 331 result leaves both heavyweights with different questions heading forward.
For Tai Tuivasa, the immediate focus will be on ending his eight-fight losing streak and rebuilding momentum. His knockout power has always made him a dangerous opponent, but the latest result adds further pressure after several consecutive defeats.
For Despaigne, the win provides an important boost during his second UFC stint. His victory over Tuivasa demonstrated that he can win through a more controlled approach rather than relying solely on his finishing power.
The next UFC booking for both fighters will determine how they move forward following UFC 331.
UFC 331 Result
Robelis Despaigne def. Tai Tuivasa via split decision
Judges’ scores: 29-28, 28-29, 29-28
The result makes the Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne fight one of the notable heavyweight bouts from UFC 331, while Tuivasa’s eight-fight losing streak puts him alongside Tony Ferguson in the UFC record book.
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