UFC title shot in sight after Tuivasa KO

Tai Tuivasa's fifth-straight UFC knockout victory has the Australian favourite on the cusp of a heavyweight title shot.

The Sydney cult hero looked in trouble early against No.3 ranked American Derrick Lewis before landing a devastating elbow that stopped him in his tracks in Houston's UFC 271 co-main event.

Lewis had earlier brought Tuivasa down twice in the first round and landed several punches before the Australian turned the tables with an elbow-punch-elbow combination.

His stunning win in enemy territory came as pundits called for a title shot for the winner of the bout that had even Dwayne Johnson tweeting his excitement.

"That's the king of knockouts, much respect to Derrick," the 28-year-old Tuivasa said.

"I'm young and I'm not coming, I'm taking over now.

"My name's Tai like Muay Thai, you know what I mean ... I like throwing elbows, like getting nitty-gritty and I'm ****ing always down to get down."

Asked who was next in his sights, Tuivasa was typically nonchalant before indulging in a number of trademark 'shoeys' with the crowd.

"I'm Bam Bam from Western Sydney, (I'll fight) whoever, whatever," he said.