Last fight
Win
Tafa vs Teixeira
Feb. 8, 2025
UFC Spotlight
Stats & Records
7
Wins by Knockout
5
First Round Finishes
Significant Strikes include all strikes at distance, plus power strikes in the clinch and on the ground.
Striking accuracy
- Sig. Strikes Landed
- 221
- Sig. Strikes Attempted
- 406
A takedown is awarded when a fighter deliberately grapples an opponent to the ground and establishes an advantageous position for an appreciable amount of time.
Takedown Accuracy
- Takedowns Landed
- Takedowns Attempted
- 2
- Sig. Str. Defense is the percentage of significant strikes attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Takedown defense is the percentage of takedowns attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Knockdown Avg. is the average number of knockdowns per 15 Minutes window.
Sig. Str. by target
athlete record
Info
Status
Active
Place of Birth
West Auckland, New Zealand
Trains at
Tafa Gang
Fighting style
Striker
Age
31
Height
72.00
Weight
266.00
Octagon Debut
Oct. 5, 2019
Reach
74.00
Leg reach
40.00
- Pro since 2017
- Seven wins by KO
- Is 3-2, 1 NC in his last six
- Five first round finishes
- Origin of nickname: “It was given to me by followers always reacting with, ‘You’re a Bad Man.’”
UFC 312 (2/8/25) Tafa was stopped by Tallison Teixeira via strikes at :35 of the first round
UFC on ESPN (3/23/24) Tafa lost a three round unanimous decision to Karl Williams
UFC 293 (9/9/23) Tafa stopped Austen Lane via strikes at 1:22 of the first round
UFC on ABC (6/24/23) Tafa’s bout with Austen Lane was ruled a no contest at :29 of the first round due to an accidental eye poke rendered Tafa unable to continue
UFC 284 (2/11/23) Tafa knocked out Parker Porter at 1:06 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (12/18/21) Tafa knocked out Harry Hunsucker at 1:53 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (5/22/21) Tafa lost a three round unanimous decision to Jared Vanderaa
UFC Fight Night (1/16/21) Tafa lost a three round split decision to Carlos Felipe
UFC 247 (2/8/20) Tafa stopped Juan Adams via strikes at 1:59 of the first round
UFC 243 (10/5/19) Tafa was knocked out by Yorgan De Castro at 2:10 of the first round
When and why did you start training for fighting? Nine years ago. Fighting runs through many generations in my family.
Training: Morning strength and conditioning, rest, afternoon/evening fight-specific training. Sunday - rest day
What ranks and titles have you held? Blue belt in BJJ
Do you have any heroes? Mark Hunt, David Tua
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means I can see how great I can become and can also represent my family and country.
What was your job before you started fighting? Youth worker at a Homeless Shelter.
Favorite grappling technique: Armbar
Favorite Striking technique: Uppercut
