Tai Tuivasa Sees Future in WWE

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Tai Tuivasa: “My finishing move is going to be a frog splash off the top rope”

Tai Tuivasa has an idea in mind for his post-MMA career: wrestling in WWE.

One of the UFC’s most popular fighters, Tuivasa is the man who has given a global stage to a “Shoey”–which is drinking beer out of a shoe. Tuivasa’s version of a victory cigar, it consists of dumping a beer into a shoe and then guzzling the beverage.

“It’s the fastest way for me to start getting drunk,” said Tuivasa, who added that the move is far more common back home in Australia. “We love to party, and that gets the party started.”

Only 30, Tuivasa has plenty of time for a transition from MMA to pro wrestling. Last month, he attended WWE’s Elimination Chamber in Perth, coming away with high reviews.

“To watch it live, they’re crazy athletes and they put on a tremendous show,” said Tuivasa, who drank a Shoey during the event with Grayson Waller. “I grew up a fan–Rock, Rikishi, Booker T, Mankind, those were my favorites. I used to go really hard with it when I was young. My little brother and son are big fans now, so I took them. UFC and WWE are together now, so it all fell into place.”

The product of Sydney would likely be a babyface in WWE. Fight fans find it very easy to cheer for Tuivasa, who headlines tomorrow’s UFC Fight Night card against Marcin Tybura. Though it will not be on display in the Octagon, Tuivasa even has his finisher planned out for when he enters the squared circle.

“My finishing move is going to be a frog splash off the top rope,” said Tuivasa. “Someday, I’d love to do it.”

Tuivasa (14-6) enters tomorrow’s fight in dire need of a victory. A loss would lead to the indignity of a fourth-straight defeat. Surprisingly, he has experience in that area, having lost three in a row one other time in his career. That led to a five-fight winning streak, the type of momentum he needs now to generate a return to the title picture.

The matchup against Tybura (24-8) is straightforward. The 38-year-old fighter from Poland is similar to Tuivasa. There won’t be a whole lot of grappling on the mat or jiu-jitsu exchanges. Ultimately, this bout will be determined by whoever lands the hardest shot first.

“Marcin is experienced, he knows what I’m bringing,” said Tuivasa. “No surprises there for either of us.

“I don’t care about the numbers or rankings. The number that matters is my three-fight losing streak. This fight is to show why I still belong. I win this fight, and I’m back in the mix.”

The Pick ‘Em Section

UFC Fight Night heavyweight bout: Marcin Tybura vs. Tai Tuivasa

Pick: Tai Tuivasa

UFC Fight Night welterweight bout: Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa

Pick: Bryan Battle

UFC Fight Night light heavyweight bout: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu

Pick: Kennedy Nzechukwu

UFC Fight Night women’s bantamweight bout: Pannie Kianzad vs. Macy Chiasson

Pick: Pannie Kianzad

UFC Fight Night middleweight bout: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bryan Barberena

Pick: Gerald Meerschaert

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