Robelis Despaigne Beats Tai Tuivasa by Split Decision at UFC 331

Robelis Despaigne edged Tai Tuivasa by split decision at UFC 331 on September 19, taking the judges' nod by scores of 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 to snap a two-fight skid inside the promotion.

Despaigne, known as "The Big Boy," improves to 5-2-0 overall and returns to a .500 record at 2-2 in the UFC. The 38-year-old Cuban heavyweight out of MMA Temple stands six-foot-seven with an 84-inch reach — one of the most physically imposing frames in the division. He carries a striking accuracy of 59 percent, and on this night he also put his size to work on the ground, landing two takedowns in what was a rare display of wrestling from a fighter whose grappling output has historically been minimal.

Tuivasa, the 33-year-old Australian known as "Bam Bam," falls to 15-10-0 and absorbs a deeply unwelcome milestone with the defeat. His eighth consecutive loss inside the UFC matches the record Tony Ferguson set, making Tuivasa the co-holder of one of the promotion's most painful streaks. Fighting out of the Lions High Performance Centre, the six-foot-two southpaw remains one of the heavier volume fighters in the heavyweight division, averaging 3.66 significant strikes landed per minute. He managed a submission attempt during the bout, keeping the fight unpredictable, but the judges ultimately awarded the narrow verdict to his opponent.

Why it matters

• Despaigne's win halts his own skid and gives the veteran Cuban a foothold heading into the next stage of his UFC tenure.
• Tuivasa's eighth straight loss deepens questions about where he goes from here at heavyweight.
• The fight featured multi-dimensional action — takedowns, a submission attempt, and wild striking exchanges — yet still went the distance, underlining how competitive and difficult to finish both men are.
• Despaigne's two takedowns were notable given his near-zero historical grappling output, suggesting a potentially evolving game plan.