We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 331 results, including the heavyweight matchup between Robelis Despaigne and Tai Tuivasa.
Despaigne (6-2 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since scoring a first-round knockout victory over former UFC champion Junior dos Santos this past May at MVP MMA’s ‘Rousey vs. Carano’ event (see that here). Prior to that triumph, ‘The Bad Boy’ was coming off back-to-back decision losses to Austen Lane and Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
Meanwhile, Tai Tuivasa (14-10 MMA) will enter tonight’s contest with hopes of snapping a seven-fight losing skid. ‘Bam Bam’ most previously competed this past May at UFC Perth, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Louie Sutherland. The 33-year-old earned his last UFC win way back in February of 2022, when he knocked out Derrick Lewis.
THE BIGGER THEY ARE…@BamBamTuivasa vs Robelis Despaigne is coming up next on @ParamountPlus!#CryptoCom #UFC331 pic.twitter.com/kQcTqPzhhH
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Round one of this UFC 331 heavyweight matchup begins and Robelis Despaigne comes forward with his hands way down by his hips. He catches Tuivasa with a punch coming in. Another good combination. Now Tai Tuivasa with a big flurry and a huge right. Despaigne catches ‘Bam Bam’ with a counter and the Aussie drops. Tuivasa is right back up and firing off shots. The fighters clinch and Robelis scores a trip takedown and winds up on top on the ground in full guard. He moves to half guard. Three minutes remain. Tai Tuivasa is bleeding from that big right hook he ate earlier. Robelis Despaigne passes to full mount. He begins raining down shots. Tuivasa gives up his back. Despaigne makes a mistake briefly that almost allows the Aussie to take top position. We return to the feet and Tuivasa lands a big elbow. Ninety seconds remain in the opening round. Tai takes down his massive opponent. He moves to half guard. He has one minute to work. Big elbows from ‘Bam Bam’. He works in some body shots. Now he locks in an arm-triangle choke. It looks like Robelis Despaigne will survive and he does.
OH THEY ARE THROWIN’
CryptoCom UFC 331 is LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/XrdfowUHOf
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Round two begins and Robelis Despaigne is still breathing heavy to start this second round. Tai Tuivasa comes forward with a flurry. He clips the big man with a heavy shot. ‘The Bad Boy’ is in trouble. Tuivasa presses him against the cage. He looks for a single leg takedown, but Despaigne defends. A good left hook on the break from ‘Bam Bam’. Robelis Despaigne with a knee and then a right hand that partially connects. Tai Tuivasa dives in for another takedown attempt. He lets that go and then rips off a pair of punches. Robelis Despaigne with a sweep and gets Tuivasa back down to the ground. He lands in side-control and has two minutes to work. The Aussie traps and arm and then gets back to half guard. Not much offense from Robelis yet. One minute remains in the round. A couple of good right hands sneak through. The referee suddenly steps in and stands them back up. Tai rushes forward immediately and forces the clinch. The horn sounds to end the round.
The third and final round begins and Robelis Despaigne misses with a left hook. Tai Tuivasa misses with a low kick. A second one connects and sends the big man down to a knee. Tuivasa rushes in and forces the clinch. He pushes Despaigne against the cage. A big body shot and then a right hand from ‘Bam Bam’. He looks to land another but Robelis counters with a big left. Tai decides to clinch again. Less than three minutes remain. Both men start swinging wildly. Tuivasa eats a big shot. He immediately forces the clinch and then drops for a takedown. Two minutes remain and the fighters separate and move to distance. That doesn’t last as Tai quickly forces the clinch. Robelis Despaigne is able to score a hip toss and winds up on top and in half guard. This is a big moment for him. He lands a pair of short right hands. More shorts punches. Tuivasa returns to his feet with ten seconds left. He swings a few bombs but nothing connects flush. The horn sounds to end the fight.
Big Boy is back 🙌
Robelis Despaigne leaves #CryptoCom #UFC331 with the Split Decision win over Tai Tuivasa! pic.twitter.com/LaQH6N0gbL
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
Official UFC 331 Results: Robelis Despaigne def. Tai Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Who would you like to see Despaigne fight next following his victory over Tuivasa this evening in Los Angeles? Share your thoughts in the comment section Penn Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
