Justin Tafa

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Justin Tafa
Born (1993-12-13) 13 December 1993 (age 30)
Auckland, New Zealand
Other names Bad Man
Residence Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height 6 ft 0 in
Weight 266 lb
Reach 74in[1]
Fighting out of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Team Tafa Gang Fight Team/ NTG
Trainer Gerard Tafa
Rank Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] under Patrick Cronin[citation needed]
Years active 2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 12
Wins 7
By knockout 7
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By decision 3
No contests 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Justin Tafa (born 13 December 1993) is an Australian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Early life

Tafa was born in Auckland, New Zealand, to a family of Samoan descent, and grew up in the West Auckland suburb of Avondale.[3] Tafa's grandfather was a national boxing champion while his three brothers have also fought professionally. One of his brothers, Junior Tafa, is a former Glory heavyweight kickboxer[4][5] and now a MMA fighter in the Heavyweight division of the UFC as well.[6]

Rugby league career

He played for the Marist Saints in the junior Auckland Rugby League[7] and was signed to the Melbourne Storm.[8][9] Tafa's athletic career began in rugby league, and he was signed to the Melbourne Storm and played in the under-20s competition but a run of injuries left him disillusioned with the sport.[10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Tafa made his professional debut at XFC 30, with a second-round stoppage of Dylan Tiaaleaiga. Tafa was then scheduled to fight Jeremy Joiner for the XFC Heavyweight title, at XFC 36. He won the fight by TKO, after just 28 seconds.[11]

Tafa was scheduled to make his first title defense against David Taumoepeau on 24 May 2019, at XFC 41.[12] He won the fight by a second-round TKO, stopping his opponent 30 seconds into the second round.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Tafa made his promotional debut on 6 October 2019, at UFC 243 against Yorgan De Castro.[14] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[15]

For his second fight with the promotion, Tafa faced Juan Adams on 8 February 2020, at UFC 247.[16] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[17]

Tafa was scheduled to face Raphael Pessoa on 25 July 2020, at UFC on ESPN 14.[18] However, he pulled out on 15 July due to unknown reasons and was replaced by Tanner Boser.[19]

Tafa faced Carlos Felipe on 16 January 2021, at UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar.[20] He lost the bout via split decision. 16 out of 20 media scores gave it to Tafa.[21][22]

Tafa faced Jared Vanderaa on 22 May 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt.[23] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[24] This bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.[25]

Tafa faced Harry Hunsucker on 18 December 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199.[26] At the weigh-ins, Tafa weighed in at 267 pounds, 1 pound over the heavyweight non-title fight limit, marking the first time in UFC history that a fighter missed weight in that division. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Tafa was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Hunsucker.[27][28] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[29]

Tafa was scheduled to face Jake Collier on 30 April 2022, at UFC on ESPN 35.[30] However, Tafa withdrew from event for undisclosed reasons, and was replaced by Andrei Arlovski.[31]

Tafa was scheduled to face Don'Tale Mayes on 30 July 2022, at UFC 277.[32] Tafa pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Hamdy Abdelwahab.[33]

Tafa faced Parker Porter on 12 February 2023, at UFC 284.[34] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[35]

Tafa faced Austen Lane on 24 June 2023, at UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria.[36] Less than thirty seconds into the bout, Lane accidentally eyepoked Tafa who was unable to continue, resulting in a no contest.[37]

Tafa faced Lane in a rematch on 10 September 2023, at UFC 293.[38] Despite suffering another eye poke, Tafa won the fight via knockout in round one.[39] The win also earned Tafa his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[40]

Tafa was scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima on 17 February 2024, at UFC 298.[41] However, Tafa withdrew the day before the event due to injury.[42] He was replaced by his brother Junior Tafa.[43]

Tafa faced Karl Williams, replacing his injured brother Junior Tafa, on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[44] He lost the bout by unanimous decision.[45]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 7–4 (1) Karl Williams Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas March 23, 2024 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–3 (1) Austen Lane KO (punches) UFC 293 10 September 2023 1 1:22 Sydney, Australia Performance of the Night.
NC 6–3 (1) Austen Lane NC (accidental eye poke) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria 24 June 2023 1 0:29 Jacksonville, Florida, United States Accidental eye poke rendered Tafa unable to continue.
Win 6–3 Parker Porter KO (punches) UFC 284 12 February 2023 1 1:06 Perth, Australia
Win 5–3 Harry Hunsucker KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus 18 December 2021 1 1:53 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (267 lb) bout; Tafa missed weight.
Loss 4–3 Jared Vanderaa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt 22 May 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 4–2 Carlos Felipe Decision (split) UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar 16 January 2021 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 4–1 Juan Adams TKO (punches) UFC 247 8 February 2020 1 1:59 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 3–1 Yorgan De Castro KO (punch) UFC 243 6 October 2019 1 2:10 Melbourne, Australia
Win 3–0 David Taumoepeau TKO (punches) XFC 41 24 May 2019 2 0:30 Brisbane, Australia Defended the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Jeremy Joiner TKO (punches) XFC 36 28 July 2018 1 0:28 Brisbane, Australia Won the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 1–0 Dylan Tiaaleaiga TKO (punches) XFC 30 20 May 2018 2 3:35 Brisbane, Australia Heavyweight debut.

[46]

See also

References

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External links

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