Junior Tafa
The Juggernaut
Australia
No-shows light heavyweight debut
Tafa lost to Tuco Tokkos via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:25 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Nashville.
ANALYSIS
Making his light heavyweight debut as a -180 favorite, Tafa looked awful. He had a couple big moments on the feet, but his complete inability to stop a takedown or defend himself on the mat was his ultimate undoing. He allowed Tokkos to land five takedowns on nine attempts. Tuco made a ton of positional errors on the mat, but Tafa couldn't take advantage. Like his older brother, Junior is a knockout-or-bust brawler with about a round of cardio, if that. With a 1-3 record in his past four bouts, there's a non-zero chance the UFC could decide to move on.
Making his light heavyweight debut as a -180 favorite, Tafa looked awful. He had a couple big moments on the feet, but his complete inability to stop a takedown or defend himself on the mat was his ultimate undoing. He allowed Tokkos to land five takedowns on nine attempts. Tuco made a ton of positional errors on the mat, but Tafa couldn't take advantage. Like his older brother, Junior is a knockout-or-bust brawler with about a round of cardio, if that. With a 1-3 record in his past four bouts, there's a non-zero chance the UFC could decide to move on.
Fight Log
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More Fantasy News
Re-booked against Tokkos
Tafa will take on Tuco Tokkos in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC Nashville on July 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa was originally scheduled for a matchup against Ateba Gautier at this event, but the fight was scrapped for undisclosed reasons. He now draws Tokkos, an opponent he was originally scheduled for in May, but the fight ended up falling through. The two will finally get it on here, where Tafa will look to win back-to-back fights for the first time under the UFC banner. His opponent, Tokkos, has also lost his two lone UFC bouts.
Tafa was originally scheduled for a matchup against Ateba Gautier at this event, but the fight was scrapped for undisclosed reasons. He now draws Tokkos, an opponent he was originally scheduled for in May, but the fight ended up falling through. The two will finally get it on here, where Tafa will look to win back-to-back fights for the first time under the UFC banner. His opponent, Tokkos, has also lost his two lone UFC bouts.
Fight scrapped
Tafa is not scheduled to compete against Ateba Gautier at UFC Nashville on July 12, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Tafa was expected to make his light heavyweight debut against Gautier at UFC Nashville. But now, the latter is scheduled for UFC 318 a week later. That means the Tafa-Gautier fight has been scrapped, and it is unclear when Tafa will compete next and what division he will be in.
Tafa was expected to make his light heavyweight debut against Gautier at UFC Nashville. But now, the latter is scheduled for UFC 318 a week later. That means the Tafa-Gautier fight has been scrapped, and it is unclear when Tafa will compete next and what division he will be in.
Set for octagon return
Tafa will face Ateba Gautier in a light heavyweight bout at UFC on ESPN 70 in Nashville on July 12, Danny Segura of MMAJunkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa will face Gautier in a new class, as he'll go down a division and will try the light heavyweight level. Tafa's most recent fight ended in a win over Sean Sharaf on Oct. 12, 2024, and he owns a 2-3 record at the UFC level.
Tafa will face Gautier in a new class, as he'll go down a division and will try the light heavyweight level. Tafa's most recent fight ended in a win over Sean Sharaf on Oct. 12, 2024, and he owns a 2-3 record at the UFC level.
Won't face Tokkos
Tafa won't face Tuco Tokkos at UFC Des Moines on May 3 due to undisclosed reasons, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa is the one who's ruled out of the fight, and it's believed the UFC is searching for a replacement and a new opponent for Tokkos. Tafa will aim to return to the octagon in the near future as he'll aim to build off this win over Sean Sharaf on Oct. 12, 2024.
Tafa is the one who's ruled out of the fight, and it's believed the UFC is searching for a replacement and a new opponent for Tokkos. Tafa will aim to return to the octagon in the near future as he'll aim to build off this win over Sean Sharaf on Oct. 12, 2024.
Next fight scheduled
Tafa will face Tuco Tokkos in a heavyweight match at UFC Des Moines on May 3, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa is coming off a victory against Sean Sharaf during UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Although not a dominant victory, The Juggernaut did just enough to secure the win and will need to build on that performance to defeat Tuco Tokkos, who is looking for his first UFC win.
Tafa is coming off a victory against Sean Sharaf during UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Although not a dominant victory, The Juggernaut did just enough to secure the win and will need to build on that performance to defeat Tuco Tokkos, who is looking for his first UFC win.