1/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 in Chicago. Tai pictured on the couch in his room with training mates. Where Tuivasa goes, his friends and family follow. A host of brothers and mates have joined him in Chicago for fight week. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
UFC 225: Tai Tuivasa, a day in the life of a MMA fighter
GALLERY: News Corp photographer Sam Ruttyn spends a day-in-the-life with Aussie mixed martial arts UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa ahead of UFC 225.
2/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai pictured showing his training mates how can "almost" do the splits. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
3/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai pictured on the couch in his room with training mates. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
4/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. The former Roosters Under 20s star turned his back on rugby league to persue a career in the cage. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
5/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
6/30Known for his love of a beer and good time, Tuivasa has steadily improved his conditioning in each of his UFC bouts. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
7/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
8/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
9/30Tuivasa is one of a number of Australian UFC exports who call Western Sydney home, including Tyson Pedro, Mark Hunt and James Te Huna.Picture: Sam Ruttyn
10/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
11/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
12/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
13/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
14/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
15/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
16/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
17/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
18/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
19/30One of Tuivasa’s main coaches is Steve Ashby, who has helped hone the big unit into a top UFC prospect. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
20/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
21/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
22/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
23/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
24/30No matter where he goes, Tuivasa remains fiercely proud of his Western Sydney roots. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
25/30Tuivasa has quickly become one of the best quotes in the business, but with fame comes more commitments. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
26/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Pictured doing media interviews over the phone in the Marriott Hotel. . Picture: Sam Ruttyn
27/30This weekend shapes as Tuivasa’s chance to grab a shot at stardom. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
28/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Tai training in the car park of his hotel 90mins out of town. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
29/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Pictured doing media interviews over the phone in the Marriott Hotel. . Picture: Sam Ruttyn
30/30A day in the life of heavyweight UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa before he fights in UFC 225 on the weekend in Chicago, USA. Picture: Sam Ruttyn