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Justin Tafa

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Justin Tafa
Born (1993-12-13) 13 December 1993 (age 31)
Auckland, New Zealand
Other namesBad Man
ResidenceBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight266 lb (121 kg; 19 st 0 lb)
Reach74 in (188 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
TeamTafa Gang Fight Team/ NTG
TrainerGerard Tafa
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] under Patrick Cronin[citation needed]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total12
Wins7
By knockout7
Losses4
By knockout1
By decision3
No contests1
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

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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

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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

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Early career

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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

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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 23 March 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[44] He lost the bout by unanimous decision.[45]

Replacing Marcos Rogério de Lima, Tafa was scheduled to face Kennedy Nzechukwu on 26 October 2024 at UFC 308.[46] However, Tafa withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Chris Barnett.[47]

Tafa is scheduled to face Tallison Teixeira on 9 February 2025 at UFC 312.[48]

Championships and achievements

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
12 matches 7 wins 4 losses
By knockout 7 1
By decision 0 3
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 7–4 (1) Karl Williams Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas 23 March 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.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Justin Tafa | UFC". UFC.com. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff.co.nz. 9 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Beatdown Promotions: Elliot Compton & Junior Tafa secure wins in MMA debuts". Fight News Australia. 9 July 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Junior Tafa set to make his UFC debut against Austen Lane at UFC 284 in Perth". Fight News Australia. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  7. ^ "UFC heavyweight Justin Tafa reveals why he quit Melbourne Storm to fight". dailytelegraph.com.au. 8 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Big crowd jump for UFC newcomer Tafa – Nine Wide World of Sports". wwos.nine.com.au. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  10. ^ France, Marvin (8 February 2020). "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  11. ^ a b Williams, Lachlan (31 July 2018). "Joiner slumps to third consecutive loss, gives up XFC heavyweight title". stawelltimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  12. ^ Post, Chris. "Heavyweights Justin Tafa and David Taumoepeau meet at XFC 41". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  13. ^ a b FNA Staff. "Justin Tafa defends XFC heavyweight title; stops David Taumoepeau at XFC 41". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff. 8 February 2020.
  15. ^ Damon Martin (6 October 2019). "UFC 243 results: Yorgan De Castro lands devastating walk-off KO to finish Justin Tafa". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  16. ^ NZME, Christopher Reive Christopher Reive is a sports reporter for (7 February 2020). "UFC: Justin Tafa looking to make amends at UFC 247 for 'sloppy' loss on debut" – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
  17. ^ Matt Erikson and John Morgan (10 February 2020). "Justin Tafa needed to rebound from being starched, and did it in big way at UFC 247". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  18. ^ Heck, Mike (12 June 2020). "Justin Tafa vs. Raphael Pessoa set for UFC 'Fight Island' event July 25". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  19. ^ Nolan King (15 July 2020). "Justin Tafa off July 25 UFC 'Fight Island' event; Tanner Boser expected to face Raphael Pessoa". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  20. ^ DNA, MMA (14 October 2020). "Heavyweight partij tussen Justin Tafa en Carlos Felipe op 16 januari 2021". MMA DNA. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  21. ^ Jay Anderson (16 January 2021). "UFC Fight Island 7 Results: Heavyweight Slugfest Sees Carlos Felipe Get by Justin Tafa". cagesidepress. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Carlos Felipe def. Justin Tafa :: UFC on ABC 1 :: MMA Decisions". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  23. ^ DNA, MMA (12 March 2021). "Heavyweights Justin Tafa en Jared Vanderaa vechten op 22 mei tijdens UFC evenement". MMA DNA. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  24. ^ Doherty, Dan (22 May 2021). "UFC Vegas 27 Results: Jared Vanderaa Wins Fun Scrap Against Justin Tafa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  25. ^ a b Haynes, Stephie (22 May 2021). "UFC Vegas 27 post-fight bonuses: Esparza KO's Xiaonan for POTN honors". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  26. ^ DNA, MMA (22 September 2021). "BREAKING: Justin Tafa vs. Harry Hunsucker toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 18 december". MMA DNA. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  27. ^ "UFC Fight Night 199 weigh-in results: Three fighters miss weight for 2021 finale". MMA Junkie. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  28. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (17 December 2021). "UFC Vegas 45 weigh-in results: Justin Tafa first heavyweight to miss weight in UFC history, two others miss". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  29. ^ McClory, Mike (18 December 2021). "UFC Vegas 45: Justin Tafa Crumples Harry Hunsucker with Head Kick". Cageside Press. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  30. ^ "UFC Vegas 53 | Collier treft Tafa in zwaargewicht clash op 30 april". Eurosport (in Dutch). 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  31. ^ Nolan King (9 April 2022). "Andrei Arlovski steps in against Jake Collier at UFC on ESPN 35". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  32. ^ "UFC 277 adds more heavyweights: Don'Tale Mayes vs. Justin Tafa set". MMA Junkie. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  33. ^ Nolan King (18 July 2022). "UFC 277 hit with multitude of withdrawals. Here's where the card stands less than two weeks away". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  34. ^ Nolan King (1 November 2022). "UFC 284 adds Parker Porter vs. Justin Tafa to lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  35. ^ Val Dewar (11 February 2023). "UFC 284: Justin Tafa sleeps Parker Porter in just over a minute in home country". Cageside Press. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  36. ^ Dey, Saurav (3 May 2023). "Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa added to UFC Jacksonville card in June". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  37. ^ Bitter, Shawn (24 June 2023). "UFC Jacksonville: Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa Falls Apart Early Due to Eye Poke, Ruled No Contest". Cageside Press. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  38. ^ "UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/10-7/16): Charles Jourdain Returns Against Ricardo Ramos, Three Cancellations". MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  39. ^ Anderson, Jay (9 September 2023). "UFC 293: Another Eye Poke, but Justin Tafa Stops Austen Lane Early in Rematch". Cageside Press. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  40. ^ a b Chris Taylor (9 September 2023). "UFC 293 Bonus Report: Sean Strickland one of four fighters to take home $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  41. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (21 November 2023). "Justin Tafa vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima added to UFC 298". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  42. ^ Matt Erickson and Mike Bohn (16 February 2024). "Injury knocks Justin Tafa out of UFC 298 fight with Marcos Rogerio de Lima on weigh-in day". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  43. ^ Nolan King and Mike Bohn (16 February 2024). "Junior Tafa steps into UFC 298 matchup on one day's notice after brother injured". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  44. ^ Heck, Mike (3 March 2024). "Justin Tafa returns the favor, steps in for brother Junior to face Karl Williams at UFC Vegas 89". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  45. ^ Anderson, Jay (24 March 2024). "UFC Vegas 89: Karl Williams Wrestles His Way Past Heavy-Handed Justin Tafa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  46. ^ Christopher Reive (12 September 2024). "UFC 308: Justin Tafa books UFC return against Kennedy Nzechukwu in Abu Dhabi". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  47. ^ Staff (12 October 2024). "Chris Barnett Gets New Booking, Faces Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  48. ^ Brendan Bradford (8 December 2024). "UFC 312: Two title fights confirmed for UFC's return to Sydney, with Dricus du Plessis defending against Sean Strickland". ntnews.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  49. ^ Sherdog.com. "Justin". Sherdog. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
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