From walking out to a Celine Dion blockbuster to drinking beer from a shoe, rising Australian UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has shown fight fans he has a different way of doing things.
Tuivasa scored a unanimous three-round win over former world champion Andrei Arlovski on the UFC 225 card in Chicago, headlined by middleweight champion Robert Whittaker's rematch with Yoel Romero.
The Sydneysider earned three judges scores of 29-28 to improve his MMA record to 10-0 and his UFC log to 3-0.
But it was the moments just before and after the fight that showed Tuivasa was a different character.
While most fighters walk out to the octagon to fast, loud, aggressive music, Tuivasa chose Dion's global chart-topper My Heart Will Go On.
When it was suggested it wasn't a typical walk-out song, Tuivasa retorted: "I'm not your typical bloke."
After the fight, he introduced the sellout crowd of more than 18,000 at the United Center to the "shoey" custom.
He drew a mixed reaction of amusement, cheers and disgust as he borrowed a shoe and drank from it on his victory walk from the octagon.
"It's Australian, it's been around forever, we do it at home and I just do it to celebrate," he said.
Tuivasa had stitches inserted into his nose and said he would also look to fix shoulder and elbow issues before his next bout.
Importantly, Tuivasa impressed UFC boss Dana White after shading the much more experienced Arlovski.
"Tai was great. It was a really tough fight against a crafty veteran who did not want to get beat tonight," White said.
"Those are the kind of guys you have to fight when you are a young up-and-coming guy like him, to get better and get that experience under your belt."
It was the first time Tuivasa had been taken beyond the first round.
"I think it's shut a few people up," Tuivasa said.
"Everyone thinks I can fight just one round but I can only get better after that, it's just a start for me."
Compatriot and UFC debutante Megan Anderson was unanimously outpointed by former bantamweight world champion Holly Holm in their featherweight fight.
