Tai Tuivasa is facing backlash after revealing his plan to return to the UFC in 2026.
The former heavyweight contender is usually a fan favorite due to a combination of his exciting fight style and his love of drinking beer from a shoe, which Joe Rogan called ‘nasty’ when he performed the disgusting party trick cageside at UFC 314
Tai Tuivasa hasn’t fought since suffering a split decision defeat against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 305 in August 2024.
The loss made it five in a row for ‘Bam Bam’, who has ballooned up in weight during his spell on the sidelines.
Fans react as Tai Tuivasa reveals his current weight
On Wednesday, Tuivasa shocked fans by revealing that he currently weights 308lbs.
“I’m aiming [to return] for the start of next year,” he told Ariel Helwani.
“I need to get back in the gym, I need to get fit.”
Some people can’t believe Tuivasa needs to cut 43lbs to make the UFC heavyweight limit of 265lbs.
“Cut him,” one fan said. While another added: “No discipline and his recent bouts show.”
“Just retire,” a third fan wrote.
“Cut this loser,” someone else tweeted.
“Nah, my boy easy 350lbs,” one skeptical fan commented.
“That’s unacceptable,” a sixth X used insisted.
Tai Tuivasa slams the UFC heavyweight division
The UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is arguably the biggest fight of all time.
However, it’s unclear if that fight will come off to save what is otherwise a pretty bleak division.
Tuivasa is unimpressed by everyone else in his weight class, so he thinks his 2026 comeback will be easy.
He added: “It’s definitely been something I’ve been thinking about a lot since I’ve been having this time off. The heavyweights are s—.
“They’re all s—, except for Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Other than that, f—— everyone’s pretty standard.”