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Barely survives Sean Sharaf
Tafa defeated Sean Sharaf via TKO (punches) at 2:15 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Tafa, entering as a -240 favorite, was super fortunate to survive his late-notice opponent. Junior is a fish out of water on the mat. That's why he grabbed the fence to remain upright following a Sharaf Round 1 takedown attempt. Referee Mark Smith admonished the foul, but didn't take a point. Tafa still found himself being pounded out on the mat in the closing seconds of the frame, only to be saved by the bell. The tide completely turned in Round 2 after Sharaf gassed out. Tafa got the win he came to Vegas for, but this was a thoroughly underwhelming performance from start to finish.
Tafa, entering as a -240 favorite, was super fortunate to survive his late-notice opponent. Junior is a fish out of water on the mat. That's why he grabbed the fence to remain upright following a Sharaf Round 1 takedown attempt. Referee Mark Smith admonished the foul, but didn't take a point. Tafa still found himself being pounded out on the mat in the closing seconds of the frame, only to be saved by the bell. The tide completely turned in Round 2 after Sharaf gassed out. Tafa got the win he came to Vegas for, but this was a thoroughly underwhelming performance from start to finish.
Will face new opponent
Tafa will face Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight fight at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa was originally scheduled to challenge Chris Barnett but a hurricane in his hometown of Florida has forced him to pull out of this bout. The Juggernaut will face an undefeated fighter, Sean Sharaf, who has won all four of his fights.
Tafa was originally scheduled to challenge Chris Barnett but a hurricane in his hometown of Florida has forced him to pull out of this bout. The Juggernaut will face an undefeated fighter, Sean Sharaf, who has won all four of his fights.
Steps in to face Barnett
Tafa will replace Waldo Cortes-Acosta to face Chris Barnett at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa's most recent fight was on Aug. 17 against Valter Walker, where he lost in the first round via technical submission, but he's looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways before the end of the year. Tafa has been struggling lately, however, as he's lost back-to-back fights while dropping three of four dating back to April 2022.
Tafa's most recent fight was on Aug. 17 against Valter Walker, where he lost in the first round via technical submission, but he's looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways before the end of the year. Tafa has been struggling lately, however, as he's lost back-to-back fights while dropping three of four dating back to April 2022.
Taps out at UFC 305
Tafa lost to Valter Walker via technical submission (heel hook) at 4:56 of Round 1 at UFC 305 on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
This fight played out exactly how many expected. Tafa landed a few big blows early on, at which point Walker went to his grappling. Once he got Tafa to the mat, the bout was all but over. Junior actually hung around for a while on the ground before Walker rolled for a heel hook. Tafa began screaming out in pain and referee Steve Perceval stopped the fight, ruling the yelp a technical submission. A one-punch knockout artist with zero secondary skills, Tafa has lost back-to-back fights and three of four dating back to April 2022.
This fight played out exactly how many expected. Tafa landed a few big blows early on, at which point Walker went to his grappling. Once he got Tafa to the mat, the bout was all but over. Junior actually hung around for a while on the ground before Walker rolled for a heel hook. Tafa began screaming out in pain and referee Steve Perceval stopped the fight, ruling the yelp a technical submission. A one-punch knockout artist with zero secondary skills, Tafa has lost back-to-back fights and three of four dating back to April 2022.
Facing off in August
Tafa will fight Valter Walker at UFC 305 on August 17, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
With just three UFC fights to his name and the last win being in August of 2023, Tafa has much to prove in the octagon. Lucky for him, he'll take on a less seasoned UFC fighter in Walker, though both fighters are coming off a loss in the new year.
With just three UFC fights to his name and the last win being in August of 2023, Tafa has much to prove in the octagon. Lucky for him, he'll take on a less seasoned UFC fighter in Walker, though both fighters are coming off a loss in the new year.