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Defeats Harry Hunsucker
Tuivasa defeated Harry Hunsucker via TKO (punches) at 0:49 in Round 1 at UFC Vegas 22 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
The contest was a quick one. The two combatants took the center of the Octagon and landed some hard low kicks that noticeably hurt Hunsucker. Tuivasa knocked down Hunsucker with a big punch and then followed up with punches that forced the stoppage. The size, skill and experience gaps were all in Tuivasa's favor.
The contest was a quick one. The two combatants took the center of the Octagon and landed some hard low kicks that noticeably hurt Hunsucker. Tuivasa knocked down Hunsucker with a big punch and then followed up with punches that forced the stoppage. The size, skill and experience gaps were all in Tuivasa's favor.
Finds new opponent
Tuivasa will fight Harry Hunsucker at UFC on ESPN21 on March 20, Marcel Dorff of MMADNA reports.
ANALYSIS
Don'Tale Mayes withdrew from Saturday's fight with just days to spare, but the UFC has successfully found a heavyweight replacement for Tuivasa. Hunsucker will be making his UFC debut versus Tuivasa. He competed on Dana White's Contender Series last November, but lost to Jared Vanderaa via first-round TKO.
Don'Tale Mayes withdrew from Saturday's fight with just days to spare, but the UFC has successfully found a heavyweight replacement for Tuivasa. Hunsucker will be making his UFC debut versus Tuivasa. He competed on Dana White's Contender Series last November, but lost to Jared Vanderaa via first-round TKO.
Needs new opponent for Saturday
Tuivasa will need a new opponent for UFC Vegas 22 following the withdrawal of Don'tale Mayes late Tuesday night, John Morgan of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
This was an opportunity for "Bam Bam" to pick up his second consecutive victory, as he was set as roughly a (-210) betting favorite for this matchup. The UFC will now look to find a short-notice replacement that keeps Tuivasa on the card.
This was an opportunity for "Bam Bam" to pick up his second consecutive victory, as he was set as roughly a (-210) betting favorite for this matchup. The UFC will now look to find a short-notice replacement that keeps Tuivasa on the card.
Matchup with Don'Tale Mayes on tap
Tuivasa (11-3-0) is slated to face Don'Tale Mayes (8-4-0) in a heavyweight fight at the UFC's March 20 event, Farah Hannoun and Nolan King of USA Today report.
ANALYSIS
Tuivasa ended a three-fight losing streak in his last trip to the Octagon on Oct. 24, when he knocked out Stefan Struve in the first round at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi. He'll to improve his UFC record to 5-3-0 when he takes on Mayes, who is also coming off a win in his last fight back in November.
Tuivasa ended a three-fight losing streak in his last trip to the Octagon on Oct. 24, when he knocked out Stefan Struve in the first round at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi. He'll to improve his UFC record to 5-3-0 when he takes on Mayes, who is also coming off a win in his last fight back in November.
Ends long losing streak with KO
Tuivasa defeated Stefan Struve via KO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1 at UFC 254 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
It was a victory Tuivasa had to have against a rare opponent who has been struggling as bad as he has. Entering on a three-fight losing streak, Tuivasa probably saved his job with this effort. Recognizing his significant edge in the power department, Tuivasa took advantage of Struve's lack of mobility. He kept him pinned along the fence for long periods of time and was finally able to landed repeated shots that ended the fight with just a second to go on the clock in Round 1. Yes, this was a big victory for Tuivasa, but the truth of the matter is that a win over Struve in the later stages of 2020 means very little in the grand scheme of things. Tuivasa will have to follow this one up with another strong effort his next time out.
It was a victory Tuivasa had to have against a rare opponent who has been struggling as bad as he has. Entering on a three-fight losing streak, Tuivasa probably saved his job with this effort. Recognizing his significant edge in the power department, Tuivasa took advantage of Struve's lack of mobility. He kept him pinned along the fence for long periods of time and was finally able to landed repeated shots that ended the fight with just a second to go on the clock in Round 1. Yes, this was a big victory for Tuivasa, but the truth of the matter is that a win over Struve in the later stages of 2020 means very little in the grand scheme of things. Tuivasa will have to follow this one up with another strong effort his next time out.