So today I got this wild idea after watchin’ Tai Tuivasa fight – what’s his brother actually do? Like, you always see that big tattooed dude walkin’ out with him, yeah? Figured it’d be simple, just hop online and find out.
Took out my phone, opened up Google. Typed in “Tai Tuivasa brother name”. First results? Total crap. Just fight pages talkin’ about Tai, maybe mentionin’ a brother sometimes but nothin’ concrete. Zero actual info. Felt like Google was messin’ with me.
The Diggin’ Begins
Switched tactics. Headed straight for Instagram. Tai’s got a public profile, right? Spent ages scrollin’ through his feed. Tons of posts about parties, the fights, family stuff. Was lookin’ hard – anywhere that dude with the big beard and tats popped up. Clicked every tagged person who looked remotely related.
Found a guy tagged in a bunch of old family pics – @BigSteamEngine_ . Looked like Tai’s older brother, sure enough. Same features, bigger beard, more ink. But his profile was locked up tight. Private. Dead end.
Gettin’ Crafty
Okay, time to get sneaky. Went back to Tai’s pics. Found one big family barbecue post. Saw that guy tagged in it, clicked it again. Profile still private. BUT. Under that tag? Tai commented: “@BigSteamEngine_ still ow me 50 bucks ya tightass! Happy birthday bro.” Bingo! Confirmed the handle was his brother, and Tai called him “bro.” Little victory.
Now I needed a name. Started searchin’ that @BigSteamEngine_ nickname everywhere. Looked through Tai’s old posts, fight pages, interviews. Nothin’. Was startin’ to think it was impossible. Then I remembered Tai sometimes talks local radio in Aussie.
Found a podcast interview Tai did last year. Fast-forwarded bits where he mentioned family. Hit gold. Tai says, “Yeah nah, me and my bro Johnno, we worked construction for years…” JOHNNO! Short for Jonathan? Probably Johnathon Tuivasa? Had me a name!
Searched “John Tuivasa” + “construction” + “Perth.” FINALLY, hit some LinkedIn stuff. Looks legit – works in commercial construction out Perth way, just like Tai hinted ages ago. Profile pic showed enough resemblance to be real. Felt like a real detective.
Why Bother?
Honestly? Dunno. Just saw that big bloke walkin’ out with Tai every fight, shoutin’, bangin’ the walkout drum, lookin’ like he’d wrestle a gator. Got curious about the man behind the beard. Wanted to know who shares those crazy nights, that family bond. Took some serious deep divin’, but findin’ that little tidbit – “Johnno” from construction – felt weirdly satisfyin’. Just piecin’ together somethin’ small about a name behind a familiar face.
