Beer in the shoe: learn more about 'shoey', the traditional celebration of Tai Tuivasa in the UFC

T. Tuivasa has a 'shoey' tradition: drinking beer in shoes after victories (Photo: Instagram)

Anyone who unpretentiously attends the UFC Las Vegas 88, next Saturday (16), you might be surprised by the image of a man weighing around 120kg drinking beer directly from a fan's shoe. If this happens, don't be alarmed. It's more common than it seems and even has a name: shoey.

The Australian tradition, practiced mainly in the sporting world, has an uncertain origin, but has become increasingly popular in various sports. In MMA, the big 'face' of the 'shoey' is the heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) Tai tuivasa, protagonist of UFC Las Vegas 88, who gained notoriety, in addition to his knockout power, for celebrating victories by using fans' shoes as containers to drink beer after fights. 'Bam Bam' was the first, but not the only fighter to perform the ritual.

PUBLICITY:

See too

Tai Tuivasa minimizes bad phase and reveals strategy against Marcin Tybura at UFC Las Vegas 88

MIchael Page making his UFC debut. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

After a successful debut, Michael Page points out a date for his return and mentions Brazilians as a possible rival

In addition to Tuivasa, other names as champions Israel adesanya e Alexander Volkanovsky have already been caught practicing the 'shoey', as has the former fighter and current Ultimate commentator Daniel Cormier.

When in Radelaide ‍♂️#UFCAdelaide @StyleBender pic.twitter.com/PYDIDa1aed

- UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) December 2, 2018

PUBLICITY:

#UFCAdelaide got us like… pic.twitter.com/HVMcXMItlm

- FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 1, 2018

Shoey's origins are uncertain, but he 'exploded' in Formula 1

The act of consuming alcoholic beverages directly from the shoe has a long history, with records dating back to the 19th century, through the First World War, with varying connotations throughout history: festive, military and even punitive.

PUBLICITY:

What is known today as 'shoey' specifically, originated in the 19th century, in Germany, but was embraced and popularized by Australians, mainly in motor sports. While the whole world got used to pilots popping bottles of champagne to celebrate victories, some Australians began to celebrate by drinking beer out of their own shoes, or even someone else's.

The first recorded case occurred in 2015, with three-time V8 Ute champion Ryal Harris. In the same year David Reyes made the act even better known by winning a 70-lap V8 Supercar race that season and drinking beer out of his own boot.

The tradition became international when motorcyclist Jack Miller carried it out by winning a MotoGP race in the Netherlands. Soon after, it was up to Daniel Ricciardo, a Formula 1 driver, to expand the ritual to stratospheric levels.

PUBLICITY: