Someone’s hitting the canvas Saturday night. When heavyweight veterans Tai Tuivasa and Robelis Despaigne collide at UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 in Los Angeles, California.
Tuivasa (15–10, 8–10) is mired in a brutal seven-fight losing streak, punctuated by a unanimous-decision loss to Louie Sutherland in May. Despaigne (6–2, 1–2 UFC) returns to the promotion following his highlight-reel, first-round knockout of Junior Dos Santos on Netflix’s MVP MMA card in May.
Despaigne enters as an overwhelming -700 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Tuivasa is a +500 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 1.5 rounds.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne Fight Preview
Tai Tuivasa
- 15–10 (8–10 UFC)
- 14–3 (T)KO
- 0–3 SUB
We haven’t seen a “shoey” from Tai Tuivasa in a long, long time. A brutal past few years have left the Australian fan favorite one loss away from joining Tony Ferguson and Sam Alvey in a three-way tie for the most consecutive defeats in UFC history (8).
While “Bam Bam,” only 33, still wields big-shot power, he’s incredibly hittable and tends to absorb more damage than he can dole out. His durability has also faded; six of his pro losses have come inside the distance. Tuivasa is likely fighting for his UFC career on Saturday night, needing to showcase that he still has something — anything — left in the tank.
Robelis Despaigne
- 6–2 (1–2 UFC)
- 6–0 (T)KO
- 0–0 SUB
After getting cut from the UFC in October 2024, Robelis Despaigne proved why he deserved a second chance earlier this year. “The Big Boy,” who stands a towering 6-foot-7, control-alt-deleted Junior Dos Santos on Netflix’s MVP MMA card in one of the most devastating knockouts in recent memory.
With the performance, the Cuban emphasized that, even at 38, he’s still an expert at cleaning someone’s clock. All six of his pro wins have come by first-round knockout. On Saturday night, Despaigne will look to extend his highlight reel in his return to the Octagon.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne Pick, Best Bet
Over the last four years, Tai Tuivasa has been ensnared in one of the most underwhelming stretches in promotional history. He now faces a dangerous knockout artist in Robelis Despaigne, who holds an overwhelming size advantage and should be eager to make a statement in his return to the Octagon. Fresh off his first-round KO against Junior Dos Santos, “The Big Boy” is well-positioned for another quick day at the office at UFC 331.
