Overview
- Robelis Despaigne beat Tai Tuivasa by split decision with official scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28 in a heavyweight preliminary at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, Sept. 19.
- The victory was Despaigne’s first career decision, and it marked his successful return to the UFC after recent fights in Karate Combat and an MVP MMA show.
- Tuivasa’s loss extended his winless run to eight straight UFC defeats, a streak that ties Tony Ferguson’s record and has generated widespread fan and media calls for the promotion to cut him.
- Observers described the bout as a scrappy, often sloppy heavyweight brawl that still featured big moments — an early knockdown, multiple takedowns and periods of top control that left Tuivasa bloodied but competitive.
- UFC president Dana White publicly expressed support for Tuivasa after the fight, but no roster decision has been announced and the result raises clear questions about both fighters’ next matchups and career trajectories.