Tai Tuivasa pledges to go beyond a 'shoey' with win over Derrick Lewis
Australian UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has pledged to take his signature shoey celebration to the next level should he upset Derrick Lewis this weekend.
The western Sydney boy will be public enemy number one in Lewis' hometown of Houston, but isn't bothered.
"Once the cage door closes, no one can help you anyway," he said.
READ MORE: UFC 271 ultimate guide
READ MORE: Why UFC star's sick of 'westie' stereotypes
READ MORE: How despised UFC star made Aussie champ slip
"The shoey won't get booed - I'll get booed, but the shoey won't get booed," he promised.
But the Aussie has decided to one-up his usual post-fight antics with a more graphic celebration.
Tuivasa's signature shoey celebration has fascinated overseas fans. Getty
When told that Lewis threw his cup into the crowd after his last win, Tuivasa's eyes lit up.
"He can throw it to me when I win and I'll do a cuppy out of his ball guard then, I'm keen," he said.
When Lewis was told of this he shook his head and laughed.
"That guy is nasty man, I can't do that - ASADA ought to be knocking at his door all the time, he's got to be taking something to help his immune system," he joked.
Tuivasa also said he presented Lewis, who had previously said he would never do a shoey because of how disgusting it would taste, with his new, more sanitary alternative the "Shoeyvasa" as a birthday gift. Lewis turned 37 on Monday.
His new device will be available to purchase from next week.
"The thing is, right, a lot of people don't wanna do shoeys out of dirty shoes," he said on The MMA Hour.
READ MORE: The man behind the UFC's most striking name
READ MORE: How Whittaker changed after shock UFC loss
READ MORE: Why Aussie has no qualms being a UFC villain
"I wanted to make the shoes available for everyone - grandmas, mums, aunties, you know what I mean?
"You just put your beer can or your beer bong in the end, then you've got the funnel, and it's like a beer bong. You just crack away."
The backstories and controversies that have ignited feuds involving athletes
