UFC 331: Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne Preview & Prediction

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Robelis Despaigne gets Tai Tuivasa for his return to the UFC in a bout that is exceedingly unlikely to require scorecards.

Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne facts

What time are Tai Tuivasa and Robelis Despaigne expected to walk out? 20 September 2026 at 12:40 am

Where is UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2? Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 331

What TV channel is UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount

Where can I stream UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 main card

Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja (Flyweight)

Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)

Patricio Pitbull vs Choi Doo-ho (Featherweight)

Renato Moicano vs Brian Ortega (Lightweight)

Alonzo Menifield vs Iwo Baraniewski (Light Heavyweight)

UFC 331: Van vs Pantoja 2 prelims

Gable Steveson vs Sean Sharaf (Heavyweight)

Marlon Vera vs Charles Jourdain (Bantamweight)

Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne (Heavyweight)

Edmen Shahbazyan vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)

Giga Chikadze vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)

Casey O'Neill vs Eduarda Moura (Women's Flyweight)

Ryan Gandra vs Osman Diaz (Middleweight)

Michael Aswell Jr. vs Yoo Joo-sang (Featherweight)

Tai Tuivasa: Does "Bam Bam" have what it takes to snap a seven fight losing streak?

Currently riding a seven fight losing streak that includes four stoppage defeats, Tai Tuivasa (14-10) hasn’t tasted victory since a KO victory over Derrick Lewis in 2022 that had many labelling him as a dark horse contender for the heavyweight title. While the first few names on his current skid came against the elite of the division, “Bam Bam” has been losing to less and less credentialed opposition, most recently getting outgrappled by Louie Sutherland in Perth. Known for his trademark shoey celebration, KO power, and a penchant for brawling, Tuivasa’s game is simple; chop low kicks and throw bombs in the pocket until somebody falls.

Robelis Despaigne: Can "The Big Boy" make good on his second UFC chance?

Returning to the UFC after going 1-2 in his first stint, Robelis Despaigne (6-2) looks to rediscover the MMA form that led to his signing in the first instance. A towering KO artist who medalled for Cuba at the 2012 Olympics in Taekwondo, “The Big Boy” was cut after convincing decision losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austen Lane. He’s been on absolute tear since, going 7-0 in Karate Combat with six stoppages and earning a spot on MVP’s inaugural MMA card. That fight saw him decimate former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, with Despaigne scoring one of the most brutal KOs of the year in the very first round.

Tai Tuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne prediction

If Tuivasa had a shred of grappling in him, I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see him score the upset. Despaigne looks to have improved since his first stint with the promotion, but let us not forget; this man lost to AUSTEN LANE less than two years ago and was soundly outgrappled in that matchup.

However, in eighteen UFC fights, Tuivasa has yet to complete a single takedown. It’s part of the reason that fans love “Bam Bam” and it’s why he’s going to lose here. The Aussie is going to meet Despaigne in the pocket and exchange haymakers with one of the most devastating heavyweight strikers in recent memory; a man with legitimate one-shot KO power in every limb, who also happened to have a 5” edge in height and a near 10” reach advantage.

As much as I love Tuivasa, I think this is truly the end of the road for him here. There’s always the slim chance that he bombs “The Big Boy” with a nuke in the early goings, but I think that he’s going to get countered badly and put away in short order, potentially as he tries to chop a low kick in the opening exchanges.

Prediction: Robelis Despaigne to win by KO