Tai Tuivasa is returning to headline UFC Vegas 88 this weekend. He will be taking on Marcin Tybura, as both heavyweights look to get back in the win column. But before we get to that fight, we will talk about Tuivasa’s tattoos. Join us as we uncover the meanings behind those inks on ‘Bam Bam’s body.

Like many other UFC fighters, Tai Tuivasa has a lot of tattoos on his body. Being an Aborigine from Australia, all of his tattoos signify his culture and heritage. Here’s what the underlying meanings of his tattoos are.

The Pe’a tattoo on Tai Tuivasa’s back and upper thighs

One of the most significant and major tattoos that people associate with Tai Tuivasa is the one on his back and upper thighs. Known as the Pe’a tattoo, the ink has its origin in the Samoan culture and the process of putting that tattoo in the body is rather painful. The Australian heavyweight star revealed that getting the Pe’a tattoo was one of the most painful experiences of his life. However, it was worth it.

The traditional practice of inking this tattoo on one’s body involved a skilled artist, known as Tatau, making use of a bone or a metal comb tool and putting the ink with the help of a wooden mallet. For people who belong to the Samoan culture, who were warriors, getting a Pe’a tattoo means establishing a connection with their ancestors.

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Tai Tuivasa was inspired by his uncle to get this cultural symbol inked on his body. Other than the Pe’a tattoo, ‘Bam Bam’ has two more tattoos that resemble his culture as well. Let’s have a look at those tattoos as well.

The Mana and Tatau tattoo

On his navel, Tai Taivasa has a tattoo called Mana. It’s an extension of the Pe’a tattoo that starts from his stomach to the navel. The significance of this tattoo lies in its meaning, which symbolizes the independence of a child after the severance of the umbilical cord. Independence is something that has a high place in the Samoan culture. Mana can also signify the importance of order and hierarchy, an important aspect of the Samoan culture.

On the other hand, ‘Bam Bam’ also has a tattoo of the Tatau. It is inked on his legs and the front part of his thighs. This tattoo signifies protection, especially since Tai Tuivasa is a fighter. This tattoo is a means to defend and protect himself from his opponents inside the Octagon. Like the Mana tattoo, the Tatau also signifies another thing. It is a symbol of a boy turning into a man or an adult, ready to take over his responsibilities in society.

Many fighters have bodies, which they’ve turned into art. However, not many people have the same kind of cultural aspects inked on their bodies as much as Tai Tuivasa has. We will have to wait and see if ‘Bam Bam’ adds more tattoos in the future.

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