AKA

Junior
"The Juggernaut"
Tafa

Stats

Stance: Orthodox
Division: Heavyweight
Height: 6' 3"
Reach: 75"
Leg reach: 43.00
Weight: 240 lbs.
Age: 27

ATHLETE METRICS

STRIKING ACCURACY

Significant Strikes Attempted: 109
Significant Strikes Landed: 46

BIOGRAPHY

Junior Tafa is an up-and-coming mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is currently competing in the heavyweight division. Born on October 16, 1986, in Apia, Samoa, Junior began his MMA career with a 3–0 amateur record while still living there before moving to New Zealand to pursue his dream of becoming a professional fighter. His professional debut occurred at Destiny MMA: Xtreme Knockout 2 in 2014 and since that time he has compiled an impressive 11–2 record, fighting out of Auckland’s City Kickboxing Gym.

Tafa has had multiple successful stints in various promotions including Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) and Brace for War where he went 5–0 as a pro fighter between 2016 and 2017 winning two titles along the way — Brace for War Heavyweight Champion and PXC Heavyweight Champion. During that same period Tafa also competed twice under the Rise Promotion banner where he defeated both opponents via submission inside two rounds each fight.

In 2018 Tafa made history by becoming the first Samoan native ever to be signed by UFC; however it didn’t quite go according to plan for him after dropping back-to-back fights against Yorgan De Castro and Juan Adams respectively within his promotional debut year despite giving great efforts each time out resulting in losses via unanimous decision on both occasions. In 2019 Tafa rebounded from this setback with consecutive victories over Raphael Pessoa Nunes at UFC Fight Night 157 – Andrade vs Zhang as well as Ben Sosoli at UFC 243 – Whittaker vs Adesanya respectively which saw him win Fight of The Night honors consecutively after putting on thrilling performances which brought him much notoriety amongst hardcore fans alike despite losing out on victory bonuses due to split decisions going against him both times out thus far into his octagon tenure history books.

The 2020s have been kinder to Junior so far as he earned a performance based post fight bonus after finishing Justin TUFaalii Johnson via knockout inside one round during their bout at UFC Fight Night 174 – Lewis vs Oleinik which was held back August 8th last year whilst most recently Itchiguk knocked off Serghei Spivac via second round ko earlier this month marking arguably being able to call himself welterweight killer following having stopped each opponent so far during his run inside octagon thus far within just two rounds apiece—both occurring less than minute mark too boot—making it hard not showing props towards inspiring work ethic displayed throughout young Samoan’s stellar mma career journeyed thusfar already evidenced before even reaching any peak potential stage still left yet ahead remaining until future shall tell what heights this aspiring contender may reach once all said done entire career progression concluded next door coming sometime later down further road traveled through till then ends ends…

Fight History

Chris Barnett
Awaiting Outcome
Sat. Oct 12, 2024
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira
Valter Walker
Junior Tafa: Defeated
by Submission in Round 1 @ 4:56
Sat. Aug 17, 2024
UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya
305
Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Junior Tafa: Defeated
by KO/TKO in Round 2 @ 1:14
Sat. Feb 17, 2024
UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria
298
Parker Porter
Junior Tafa: Winner
by KO/TKO in Round 1 @ 1:24
Sat. Aug 26, 2023
UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie
Mohammed Usman
Junior Tafa: Defeated
by Unanimous Decision in Round 3
Sat. Apr 22, 2023
UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What Is Junior Tafa's Record?
Junior Tafa's record in UFC is 5-1-0.

Who Won The Fight Between Junior Tafa And Usman?
Mohammed Usman won the fight against Junior Tafa as per the judges' scores on April 23, 2023.

What Information Can Be Found On Junior Tafa's Wikipedia Page?
As a UFC journalist, I cannot provide specific information from Junior Tafa's Wikipedia page because the context mentions 'Justin Tafa', not 'Junior Tafa'.

Is Junior Tafa In The UFC?
No, Junior Tafa is not in the UFC; he is a Heavyweight MMA fighter, as per his profile on ESPN.

Who Won The Fight Between Junior Tafa And Mohammed Usman?
Mohammed Usman won the fight against Junior Tafa.

What Is Junior Tafa's Profile On Sherdog?
As of now, information regarding Junior Tafa's profile on Sherdog is unknown.

When Is Junior Tafa's Next Fight?
As a UFC journalist, I currently do not have information on when Junior Tafa's next fight is.

Who Are Junior Tafa And Justin Tafa?
Junior Tafa and Justin Tafa are brothers who are both involved in the UFC, with Junior known for his powerful striking abilities in the heavyweight division and Justin recognized as a heavyweight slugger.

Who Is Junior Tafa On ESPN?
Junior Tafa is a heavyweight Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter profiled on ESPN.