Justin Tafa

Justin Tafa (Born 13 December 1993) is a New Zealand mixed martial arts fighter of Samoan heritage, currently competing in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Justin Tafa
Born (1993-12-13) 13 December 1993
Auckland, New Zealand
Other namesBad Man
ResidenceBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
Nationality
  • New Zealander
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight120 kg (265 lb; 18 st 13 lb)
Reach188 cm (74 in)
Fighting out ofBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Patrick Cronin[1]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total5
Wins4
By knockout4
Losses1
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life

Tafa was born in Auckland, New Zealand to a family of Samoan descent.[2] He is the brother of kickboxer, Junior Tafa. He grew up in the west Auckland suburb of Avondale and his first sporting interest was rugby league where he played for the Marist Saints in the junior Auckland Rugby League.[3] Tafa carries the Samoan flag in the cage.[4]

Rugby league career

Tafa's athletic career began in rugby league, and he was signed to the Melbourne Storm.[5][6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

At the age of 23, Tafa began training MMA and amassed a record of 3–0, prior to being signed by the UFC.[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Tafa made his promotional debut on 6 October 2019 at UFC 243 against Yorgan de Castro.[8] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[9]

For his second fight with the promotion, Tafa faced Juan Adams on 8 February 2020 at UFC 247.[10] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[11]

Tafa is scheduled to face Raphael Pessoa on July 25, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 174[12]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
5 matches 4 wins 1 loss
By knockout 4 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
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, Victoria, Australia
Win 3–0 David Taumoepeau TKO (punches) Australian Xtreme Fighting Championship 41 24 May 2019 2 0:30 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Defended the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Jeremy Joiner TKO (punches) Australian Xtreme Fighting Championship 36 28 July 2018 1 0:28 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Won the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 1–0 Dylan Tiaaleaiga TKO (punches) Australian Xtreme Fighting Championship 30 20 May 2018 2 3:35 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

[13]

References
  1. Justin ‘Bad Man’ Tafa (@justin.tafa) (March 1, 2019). ""Achieved something today that I set for myself since last year and received my blue belt from @croninedu (...)"". Instagram. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  2. "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff.co.nz. 9 February 2020.
  3. "UFC heavyweight Justin Tafa reveals why he quit Melbourne Storm to fight". dailytelegraph.com.au. 8 February 2020.
  4. "Tafa Just Wants To Represent His People". UFC. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  5. "Big crowd jump for UFC newcomer Tafa - Nine Wide World of Sports". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  6. "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  7. "Justin Tafa announces UFC signing – Fight News Australia". Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  8. "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight". Stuff.
  9. Damon Martin (2019-10-06). "UFC 243 results: Yorgan De Castro lands devastating walk-off KO to finish Justin Tafa". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  10. NZME, Christopher Reive Christopher Reive is a sports reporter for (February 7, 2020). "UFC: Justin Tafa looking to make amends at UFC 247 for 'sloppy' loss on debut" – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
  11. Matt Erikson and John Morgan (2020-02-10). "Justin Tafa needed to rebound from being starched, and did it in big way at UFC 247". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  12. Heck, Mike (2020-06-12). "Justin Tafa vs. Raphael Pessoa set for UFC 'Fight Island' event July 25". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  13. Sherdog.com. "Justin". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
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