Justin Tafa
Born (1993-12-13) December 13, 1993
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
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins7
By knockout7
Losses3
By knockout1
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Justin Tafa (born December 13, 1993) is a New Zealand 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 May 24, 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 October 6, 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 February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[16] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[17]

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

Tafa faced Carlos Felipe on January 16, 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 May 22, 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 December 18, 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 April 30, 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 July 30, 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 February 12, 2023, at UFC 284.[34] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[35]

Tafa faced Austen Lane on June 24, 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 September 10, 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 is scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.[41]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
11 matches 7 wins 3 losses
By knockout 7 1
By decision 0 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 7–3 (1) Austen Lane KO (punches) UFC 293 September 10, 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 June 24, 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 February 12, 2023 1 1:06 Perth, Australia
Win 5–3 Harry Hunsucker KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus December 18, 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 May 22, 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 January 16, 2021 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 4–1 Juan Adams TKO (punches) UFC 247 February 8, 2020 1 1:59 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 3–1 Yorgan De Castro KO (punch) UFC 243 October 6, 2019 1 2:10 Melbourne, Australia
Win 3–0 David Taumoepeau TKO (punches) XFC 41 May 24, 2019 2 0:30 Brisbane, Australia Defended the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Jeremy Joiner TKO (punches) XFC 36 July 28, 2018 1 0:28 Brisbane, Australia Won the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 1–0 Dylan Tiaaleaiga TKO (punches) XFC 30 May 20, 2018 2 3:35 Brisbane, Australia Heavyweight debut.

[42]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "Justin Tafa | UFC". UFC.com. 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. 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Justin". Sherdog. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
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