Brad Tavares

Brad Tavares is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight division. He was born on August 21, 1987 in Kailua, Hawaii and grew up playing rugby and football. He began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 17 and soon after started competing as an amateur fighter. In 2008 he won his first professional fight and then continued to compete in smaller organizations until 2011 when he joined the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter 13 cast.

At the start of his UFC career, Tavares compiled a record of 6-2 with notable wins against Robert McDaniel, Tom Watson, Bubba McDaniel and Caio Magalhaes among others. After losing to Yoel Romero in 2014 for a shot at the title, Brad went back to basics by going 5-0 over his next five fights ending 2018 with an impressive 11-3 overall record in the Octagon.

In 2019 Tavares bounced back from consecutive losses to Israel Adesanya and Elias Theodorou by notching impressive victories over Edmen Shahbazyan via submission at UFC 244 and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision at UFC 239 – earning him Performance of the Night honors for both bouts.

Tavares’ success has been attributed largely to his strong work ethic throughout various camps; it has been said that Brad’s fighting style is “smart” due to his ability to use technique rather than relying only on power or strength which are often common traits among fighters who rely heavily on combinations designed purely for effecting damage rather than neutralizing opponents strategically with technical skill sets like those displayed consistently by Tavares during all stages of competition – respectably making him one of most well rounded competitors within UFC middleweight ranks today.

Outside of MMA & training related activities Brad enjoys spending time outdoors either surfing or snowboarding depending upon season & location while also participating yearly as university speaker for youth grappling programs hosted nationwide – emphasizing important life lessons such as dedication & discipline that apply towards all walks regardless background/location/etc., allowing individuals from around world access attainable goals through hard work & determination when leveraged properly – encapsulating this mantra into every aspect associated being professional fighter inside octagon outside any other obligations including but not limited charity outreach initiatives personally sponsored solely by himself along team members within respective gyms where resides regularly alongside coaches whom have been instrumental regarding development growth experienced thus far throughout personal career spanning almost two decades…an accomplishment itself boding extreme pride loyalty seen often amongst peers colleagues alike each having vast understanding what entails maintain successful regimen leading highly sought after championship goals