UFC 331 Asks Tuivasa One Brutal Question

Tai Tuivasa has spent seven fights looking for a victory. At UFC 331, the UFC handed him a 6-foot-7 Olympic taekwondo medalist with an 84-inch reach.

Robelis Despaigne returns after rebuilding his career outside the promotion, knocking out Junior dos Santos in May and telling UFC.com that the crucial difference in his second UFC run is the work he has done on his ground game.

Tuivasa has changed something too. He moved his camp to American Top Team in Florida, where listening to different coaches has become part of an increasingly urgent reset.

Bookmaker Sportsbook‘s opening line has Despaigne -650 and Tuivasa +477, with Under 1.5 rounds -261 and Over +215. My UFC 331 pick is Despaigne by first-round knockout, with Under 1.5 rounds the betting lean.

Tuivasa Finally Changed the Room

Seven consecutive defeats can make technical adjustments sound cosmetic. Tuivasa has gone considerably further.

His latest camp moved to American Top Team, and he has spoken about listening to the coaches there and trying to mix more elements into his game. UFC’s own profile now lists ATT as his training base.

That matters at UFC 331 because simply marching forward presents Despaigne with his favorite picture.

Tuivasa gives away nine inches of reach. His right hand and low kicks remain dangerous once he gets inside, but reaching that pocket means crossing the kicking and punching range of a fighter whose six professional victories have all ended by knockout.

Despaigne does not need much runway. Four of those wins ended inside 20 seconds.

More UFC 331 previews and fight resources are available through our MMA/UFC Betting Hub.

Despaigne Says the Hole Has Closed

Despaigne’s first UFC run exposed something spectacular knockouts had concealed. Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austen Lane both took him to decisions, using wrestling to remove the space where his length and explosive striking become frightening. Despaigne lost both fights and was released.

He has not dodged the diagnosis. “I’ve worked on my ground game,” Despaigne told UFC.com this week, saying the extra year of experience has boosted his confidence.

Tuivasa now faces an awkward choice. Wrestling would test precisely the area Despaigne says he repaired, but Tuivasa has never built his UFC identity around takedowns.

The UFC Betting Guide contains additional fight guides and UFC 331 resources.

Nine Inches Make Patience Dangerous

Tuivasa remains capable of detonating any heavyweight favorite who gets greedy. Thirteen of his 14 victories came by knockout.

Despaigne, therefore, has little reason to turn UFC 331 into a phone-booth argument. His reach lets him throw front kicks, long straight attacks, and exit before Tuivasa’s hooks get comfortable. UFC Unfiltered specifically identified preparing for Despaigne’s 6-foot-7 frame and enormous reach as part of Tuivasa’s fight-week discussion.

For Tuivasa, waiting outside is dangerous. Charging through that distance may be worse.

Minus 650 Leaves the Clock

Bookmaker Sportsbook‘s opening line of Despaigne -650 demands too much exposure for a straight moneyline.

The Under 1.5 rounds at -261 better reflects the mechanics. Tuivasa remains a serious knockout threat, while every Despaigne professional victory has come by first-round knockout.

Betting Lean

Under 1.5 rounds -261.

UFC 331 Prediction: Robelis Despaigne by first-round knockout.

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