The only thing quicker than Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa’s knockout of former NFL Pro Bowler Greg Hardy at UFC 264 Saturday night was his signature celebratory beer chug out of a shoe after the win.
Tuivasa, 28, landed a counter left hook to floor Hardy before finishing him with hammer punches just 67 seconds into the featured bout on the pay-per-view main card. The win was Tuivasa’s third straight, while Hardy was knocked out for the second time in his career.
But what really got the crowd at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas going was Tuivasa climbing the cage wall and drinking a full beer out of a sneaker, which he refers to as a “shoey.”
Hardy, a former defensive end for the Panthers and Cowboys, is now on a two-fight losing streak. He has not won since he beat Maurice Greene by technical knockout at UFC Fight Night 181.
![UFC 264 Tai Tuivasa Greg Hardy](https://cdn.statically.io/img/nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/UFC-Tai-Tuivasa-Greg-Hardy.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
While Tuivasa is not currently in the top 14 in the latest UFC heavyweight rankings, this latest win could make him a legitimate contender for the belt.
![UFC 264 Tai Tuivasa beer shoe Greg Hardy](https://cdn.statically.io/img/nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/UFC-Tai-Tuivasa-beer-chug-shoe.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
Hardy, 32, has not played in the NFL since 2015. Earlier that year, domestic violence charges against him were dismissed following his appeal of a guilty verdict.