Tai Tuivasa stunned by knockout in heavyweight war, Robert Whittaker beats Marvin Vettori decisively
Tai Tuivasa has been sensationally knocked out by Frenchman Ciryl Gane in the headline fight of the UFC's first visit to Paris.
In front of a passionate home crowd, Gane pelted Tuivasa's torso with multiple leg kicks.
Tuivasa put up a staunch defence and landed multiple heavy blows of his own, before eventually going down with a minute remaining in the third round.
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Both men took the first round to feel each other out, keeping their distance and giving themselves a chance to settle in to the battle.
Tai Tuivasa taunts Ciryl Gane during their fight. Zuffa LLC
The second round though was a different story - Tuivasa dropped Gane with a massive right hand that looked for a moment as if it was going to end the fight then and there.
But the Frenchman somehow recovered and delivered a brutal body kick of his own.
Gane continued to try to build pressure, but it was ultimately not enough.
Earlier, fellow Aussie Robert Whittaker dominated Marvin Vettori, winning by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
The Aussie was rarely troubled, stepping out of the way of numerous Vettori jabs, demonstrating his range was dialled in.
Like the later Tuivasa fight, both men took their time feeling each other out in the first round, before Whittaker turned the wick up in the second as Vettori battled with his left hand.
Robert Whittaker lands a kick on Marvin Vettori. Zuffa LLC
In the third, Vettori was opened up by Whittaker as the Aussie landed blow after blow.
In his post-fight interview, Whittaker said he was intent on reclaiming the middleweight belt.
"Including the champion, I'm the most dangerous man in the division," Whittaker said.
"I make people hate fighting. As for what's next, I'm always gunning for that top spot.
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