Latest news with #Tuivasa
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aussie UFC star Tai Tuivasa lights up a massive joint on social media, here's the reason why he won't face any sanctions for it
UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has never been shy about living life on his own terms – and his latest viral moment is no exception. The Australian cult favourite, known for drinking beer from a shoe after each win, posted a video this week puffing on a massive joint while sweating it out in a sauna. The post, shared to his Instagram account with the caption '@bambambudz,' shows Tuivasa enjoying marijuana in a relaxed setting, despite still being an active member of the UFC roster. While it might raise eyebrows, Tuivasa won't face any sanctions from the UFC or law enforcement. That's because the UFC no longer punishes fighters for marijuana use, as long as they're not under the influence during competition. Tuivasa, who currently sits at No. 10 in the UFC heavyweight rankings, hasn't fought in 2024 and has spent time recovering, refocusing, and reshaping. After reports his weight had ballooned to 140kg, the Sydney-born slugger appears to have slimmed down, with fans noting the change in recent appearances. Tuivasa is targeting a return to action in early 2025, aiming to end a frustrating losing streak and put himself back in title contention. But fighting isn't his only hustle. The knockout artist has also entered the booming American cannabis market, launching his own weed brand: Bambambudz. Tuivasa revealed the business in a post back in March, posing with three massive bags of marijuana in front of a greenhouse full of cannabis plants. With a grin and a double peace sign, he declared, 'COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU US,' teasing future distribution in US states where cannabis is legal. Those include California, Colorado, Illinois and New York – key markets in a $15 billion industry. Bambambudz plans to expand even further, with future dispensaries reportedly being eyed in Thailand. Bambambudz is eyeing US expansion and potential dispensaries in Thailand's shifting market Cannabis was legalised for recreational use there in 2022 before the government moved to restrict it to medical purposes in 2023. Despite the regulatory grey areas, Tuivasa's brand is already generating hype among fans and cannabis users alike. He joins a growing number of athletes embracing the weed business, from Mike Tyson to Nate Diaz. Tuivasa is no stranger to outside-the-cage ventures either – he co-owns Drink West brewery alongside NRL star Nathan Cleary and fellow fighter Tyson Pedro. His larger-than-life personality, brawler mentality, and sense of humour have earned him a loyal following. Even through his recent losses, 'Bam Bam' remains one of the most entertaining figures in the sport. From walk-off knockouts to Joe Rogan-shocking shoeys, he brings energy no one else in the UFC does.
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC's Tai Tuivasa reveals being way above heavyweight limit, feels 'something to prove'
UFC's Tai Tuivasa reveals being way above heavyweight limit, feels 'something to prove' Tai Tuivasa is eager to get back in shape to make his UFC return. Tuivasa hasn't competed since a split decision loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik last August at UFC 305, his fifth setback in a row. The 32-year-old revealed that he currently weighs around 308 pounds, 42 pounds over the UFC heavyweight limit. "I'm going to aim for the start of next year," Tuivasa said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I need to get back in the gym, I need to get fit, I need to get ready." Prior to his five-fight losing skid, Tuivasa (15-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC) had won five in a row, all by knockout, and was nearing title challenger status. He's hungry to get that feeling back. "Definitely that's why I needed this break," Tuivasa said. "I feel much better now that I've had this break. It's kind of grounded me a little bit in what I want to do. I've been going hard in my businesses and stuff like that, so it's definitely given me some time away from training and from fighting, but we're fighters. It's naturally in me, and I'm kind of missing it now. So I definitely want to get back into it, but I want to come back, and I've got something to prove. I'm not done yet." UFC heavyweights 'all sh*t' except Jones, Aspinall Tuivasa ripped the current state of the UFC's heavyweight division. He doesn't rate any of the heavyweights highly outside of interim champion Tom Aspinall and champion Jon Jones. "It's definitely been something I've been thinking about a lot since I've been having this time off," Tuivasa said. "I don't watch the fights, but I watch some things. The heavyweights are sh*t. They're all sh*t, except for Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Other than that, f*cking everyone's pretty standard."
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aussie UFC star Tai Tuivasa reveals shocking weight gain that means he looks NOTHING like this anymore - as he gets high in the middle of an interview
Australian UFC heavyweight Tai 'Bam Bam' Tuivasa has left fans stunned by causally revealing that he now weighs 140 kg - while sparking up a joint during a hilarious live interview. Tuivasa, who is known for drinking beer from fans' shoes after winning bouts with his explosive knockout power, says he's keen to get back in the gym after a hiatus from the sport. The 32-year-old, who has a history of ballooning up in weight between fights, has revealed he's now around 27 kilograms (60 pounds) above the UFC's heavyweight limit. 'I'm aiming [to return] for the start of next year,' he said on The Ariel Helwani Show. 'I need to - look at me!' 'I need to get back in the gym, I need to get fit.' Tuivasa explained that the food he was eating in America is not helping his fitness plans. 'I'd be 140 (kgs), easy,' he admitted. The Australian cult hero owns Sydney's Drink West beer business with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary and octagon star turned pro boxer Tyson Pedro - and is currently trying to grab a slice of America's lucrative legal marijuana trade. In 2024, he launched his marijuana company, Bam Bam Budz, and has been working hard promoting it ever since. Fight fans were not completely shocked on Thursday when the Sydney slugger lit up a joint during the interview with Helwani. 'The best part of this is you lighting up the joint while correcting me,' remarked Helwani. Helwani later joked on X that he got a 'contact high' from the conversation. The American legal marijuana market was valued at $US15billion in 2022 and is projected to grow strongly. Always some of the funniest moments when @bambamtuivasa joins the program. 😂 I think the contact high was to blame... — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 23, 2025 Drink West beer unashamedly celebrates its western Sydney heritage, which is a big part of Tuivasa's life. 'I represent the west, I represent houso kids, that's my testament. Have a crack, you're either going to lose or win,' Tuivasa told Daily Mail Australia shortly after the brewery opened.
