What does Tai Tuivasa Tattoo Mean?

Tai Anthony Tuivasa is a heavyweight division MMA fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “Bam Bam," he is the number 6 fighter in the heavyweight division of the UFC.

Born on March 16, 1993, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa played rugby before becoming an MMA fighter. He was a heavyweight champion at Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) in Melbourne. On his UFC debut, he faced and beat Rashad Coulter by KO/TKO with a flying knee in Round 1. Since then, he has been a beast inside the Octagon, destroying his opponents with his strikes. He has won Performance of the Night four times and Fight of the Night once in the UFC. He has been considered to be a serious challenge inside the octagon and is also one of the most talented fighters in recent generations.

Bam Bam has been a part of 21 fights so far. Having won 14 fights (13 by knockout and 1 by decision), he lost 7 fights (3 by knockout, 3 by submission, and 1 by decision).

Tai Tuivasa’s Tattoo Meaning

Tai Tuivasa has various tattoos on his body. These tattoos reflect his Samoan culture. He is an aborigine of Australia. Let’s have a look at all the tattoos on his body and the meanings associated with each tattoo.

Pe’a Tattoo (Back and Upper Thighs)

The major tattoos associated with Tai Tuivasa are his tattoos on his back and upper thighs. It is a Samoan tattoo done in a very painful and old style of tapping. Tuivasa stated that it was one of the best and worst experiences of his life. In this process, a tattoo master called a tatau uses a bone or a metal comb and drives it into the skin of the customer using a wooden mallet. However, the Samoans are a warring tribe and they believe that the Pe’a tattoo can help an individual connect with their ancestors in the spiritual realm.

Tuivasa got inspired to get a Pe’a tattoo from his uncle, who told him that only true men can get such a tattoo. Since he is an MMA fighter and he believes in spirits despite not being religious, he decided to get that tattoo. He dedicated that tattoo to his mother. His father cried when he saw his son getting the tattoo.

Mana Tattoo (Navel)

Tai Tuivasa has a Samoan Pe’a tattoo on his navel called a Mana. The tattoo starts in the mid-stomach section and goes until the navel. It symbolizes independence due to the severance of the umbilical cord. In Samoan and Polynesian cultures, independence is held in high regard. Once an individual gets the Mana tattoo, he is regarded as being independent and cultured in Samoan society and family.

Furthermore, there is also another meaning to the tattoo. It signifies order and hierarchy, which are still very active in Samoan society. A person with a Mana tattoo can claim the right to have the land of his fathers. For Tuivasa, having this tattoo signifies that he is not only independent but he also possesses the right to own the fortunes of his father and his ancestors.

Tatau Tattoo (Legs and Front Thighs)

The third kind of tattoo that Bam Bam has is a tatau. It can be seen on his legs and on his front thighs. It means that he is well protected and guarded against his opponents. Another meaning of the tattoo is that it signifies that the person is an adult now and is ready for his role in society.

Tai Tuivasa has explained that the Tatau tattoo defines a person as they are in the present and who they will be in the future. It also symbolizes them as members of their family and community. Finally, it signifies an individual’s personal history—past, present, future—and their ancestors.