Justin Tafa
Updated: 12/11/2025, 3:46:46 PM Wikipedia source
Justin Tafa (born 13 December 1993) is a New Zealand-born Australian former professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Infobox
Born
(1993-12-13) 13 December 1993 (age 31)West Auckland, New Zealand
Other names
Bad Man
Residence
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Nationality
Australian
Height
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight
121 kg (266 lb)
Reach
74 in (188 cm)
Stance
Southpaw
Fighting out of
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Team
Tafa Gang Fight Team/ NTG
Trainer
Gerard Tafa
Rank
Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Patrick Cronin
Years active
2017–2025
Total
13
Wins
7
By knockout
2
Losses
5
By decision
3
No contests
1
Relatives
Junior Tafa (brother)
Tables
Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
13 matches
By knockout
7 wins
7
5 losses
2
By decision
By decision
13 matches
By decision
7 wins
0
5 losses
3
No contests
No contests
13 matches
No contests
7 wins
1
| 13 matches | 7 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 2 |
| By decision | 0 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | |
· Mixed martial arts record
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
7–5 (1)
Opponent
Tallison Teixeira
Method
TKO (knee to the body and elbows)
Event
UFC 312
Date
9 February 2025
Round
1
Time
0:35
Location
Sydney, Australia
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
7–4 (1)
Opponent
Karl Williams
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas
Date
23 March 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–3 (1)
Opponent
Austen Lane
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC 293
Date
10 September 2023
Round
1
Time
1:22
Location
Sydney, Australia
Notes
Performance of the Night.
NC
NC
Res.
NC
Record
6–3 (1)
Opponent
Austen Lane
Method
NC (accidental eye poke)
Event
UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria
Date
24 June 2023
Round
1
Time
0:29
Location
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Notes
Accidental eye poke rendered Tafa unable to continue.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–3
Opponent
Parker Porter
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC 284
Date
12 February 2023
Round
1
Time
1:06
Location
Perth, Australia
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–3
Opponent
Harry Hunsucker
Method
KO (head kick)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus
Date
18 December 2021
Round
1
Time
1:53
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Catchweight (267 lb) bout; Tafa missed weight.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
4–3
Opponent
Jared Vanderaa
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt
Date
22 May 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Fight of the Night.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
4–2
Opponent
Carlos Felipe
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar
Date
16 January 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–1
Opponent
Juan Adams
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC 247
Date
8 February 2020
Round
1
Time
1:59
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
3–1
Opponent
Yorgan De Castro
Method
KO (punch)
Event
UFC 243
Date
6 October 2019
Round
1
Time
2:10
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
David Taumoepeau
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
XFC 41
Date
24 May 2019
Round
2
Time
0:30
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Notes
Defended the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Jeremy Joiner
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
XFC 36
Date
28 July 2018
Round
1
Time
0:28
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Notes
Won the XFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Dylan Tiaaleaiga
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
XFC 30
Date
20 May 2018
Round
2
Time
3:35
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Notes
Heavyweight debut.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 7–5 (1) | Tallison Teixeira | TKO (knee to the body and elbows) | UFC 312 | 9 February 2025 | 1 | 0:35 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Loss | 7–4 (1) | Karl Williams | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas | 23 March 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 (1) | Austen Lane | KO (punches) | UFC 293 | 10 September 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 | 24 June 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 | 12 February 2023 | 1 | 1:06 | Perth, Australia | |
| Win | 5–3 | Harry Hunsucker | KO (head kick) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus | 18 December 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 | 22 May 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 | 16 January 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| 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, Australia | |
| Win | 3–0 | David Taumoepeau | TKO (punches) | XFC 41 | 24 May 2019 | 2 | 0:30 | Brisbane, Australia | Defended the XFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–0 | Jeremy Joiner | TKO (punches) | XFC 36 | 28 July 2018 | 1 | 0:28 | Brisbane, Australia | Won the XFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 1–0 | Dylan Tiaaleaiga | TKO (punches) | XFC 30 | 20 May 2018 | 2 | 3:35 | Brisbane, Australia | Heavyweight debut. |
References
- ufcstats.comhttp://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/e13abac8089a801a
- UFC.comhttps://www.ufc.com/athlete/justin-tafa
- https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449224/justin-tafa-issues-statement-after-being-released-from-ufc-following-latest-fighthttps://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449224/justin-tafa-issues-statement-after-being-released-from-ufc-following-latest-fight-cancellation
- "Kiwi Justin Tafa's journey from NRL prospect to UFC heavyweight"https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/119342584/kiwi-justin-tafas-journey-from-nrl-prospect-to-ufc-heavyweight
- Stuffhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/119342584/kiwi-justin-tafas-journey-from-nrl-prospect-to-ufc-heavyweight
- Fight News Australiahttps://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/beatdown-promotions-compton-vs-oyama-results/
- Fight News Australiahttps://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/junior-tafa-set-to-make-his-ufc-debut-against-austen-lane-at-ufc-284-in-perth/
- "UFC heavyweight Justin Tafa reveals why he quit Melbourne Storm to fight"https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ufc-heavyweight-justin-tafa-reveals-why-he-quit-melbourne-storm-to-fight/news-story/908fba4faaf509848b02c0e2a62bdcec
- wwos.nine.com.auhttps://wwos.nine.com.au/news/big-crowd-jump-for-ufc-newcomer-tafa/287a87ca-113c-45ea-824a-779e0c5dd02a
- Stuffhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/119342584/kiwi-justin-tafas-journey-from-nrl-prospect-to-ufc-heavyweight
- Stuffhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/119342584/kiwi-justin-tafas-journey-from-nrl-prospect-to-ufc-heavyweight
- stawelltimes.com.auhttps://www.stawelltimes.com.au/story/5555001/jeremy-joiner-loses-xfc-heavyweight-title-to-justin-tafa-photos-video/
- fightnewsaustralia.comhttps://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/heavyweights-justin-tafa-and-david-taumoepeau-meet-at-xfc-41/
- fightnewsaustralia.comhttps://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/justin-tafa-defends-xfc-heavyweight-title-stops-david-taumoepeau-at-xfc-41/
- Stuffhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/119342584/kiwi-justin-tafas-journey-from-nrl-prospect-to-ufc-heavyweight
- mmafighting.comhttps://www.mmafighting.com/2019/10/5/20900842/ufc-243-results-yorgan-de-castro-lands-devastating-walk-off-ko-to-finish-justin-tafa
- "UFC: Justin Tafa looking to make amends at UFC 247 for 'sloppy' loss on debut"https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12306978
- mmajunkie.usatoday.comhttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/02/justin-tafa-needed-rebound-in-big-way-ufc-247-video
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2020/6/12/21289399/justin-tafa-vs-raphael-pessoa-set-for-ufc-fight-island-event-july-25
- "Justin Tafa off July 25 UFC 'Fight Island' event; Tanner Boser expected to face Raphael Pessoa"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-fight-island-justin-tafa-out-tanner-boser-vs-raphael-pessoa-booked
- MMA DNAhttps://mmadna.nl/?p=60196
- cagesidepresshttps://cagesidepress.com/2021/01/16/ufc-fight-island-7-results-felipe-vs-tafa/
- mmadecisions.comhttp://mmadecisions.com/decision/11634/Carlos-Felipe-vs-Justin-Tafa
- MMA DNAhttps://mmadna.nl/heavyweights-justin-tafa-en-jared-vanderaa-vechten-op-22-mei-tijdens-ufc-evenement/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2021/05/22/ufc-vegas-27-results-jared-vanderaa/
- Bloody Elbowhttps://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/5/22/22448670/ufc-vegas-27-post-fight-bonuses-carla-esparza-kos-xiaonan-for-potn-honors
- MMA DNAhttps://mmadna.nl/breaking-justin-tafa-vs-harry-hunsucker-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-18-december/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/12/ufc-fight-night-199-derrick-lewis-chris-daukaus-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2021/12/17/22841486/ufc-vegas-45-weigh-in-results-justin-tafa-first-heavyweight-miss-weight-in-history-two-others-miss
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2021/12/18/ufc-vegas-45-justin-tafa-vs-harry-hunsucker/
- Eurosporthttps://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/ufc-vegas-53-collier-treft-tafa-in-zwaargewicht-clash-op-30-april_sto8823722/story.shtml
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/ufc-on-espn-35-andrei-arlovski-vs-jake-collier-justin-tafa
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/05/ufc-news-dontale-mayes-vs-justin-tafa-july-30
- "UFC 277 hit with multitude of withdrawals. Here's where the card stands less than two weeks away"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-277-multiple-withdrawals-card-update
- "UFC 284 adds Parker Porter vs. Justin Tafa to lineup"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/ufc-284-fight-card-news-parker-porter-vs-justin-tafa
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2023/02/11/ufc-284-justin-tafa-sleeps-parker-porter/
- www.sportskeeda.comhttps://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-austen-lane-vs-justin-tafa-added-ufc-jacksonville-card-june
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2023/06/24/ufc-jacksonville-austen-lane-vs-justin-tafa/
- MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviewshttps://www.mmanews.com/features/ufc-matchmaking-bulletin-charles-jourdain-against-ricardo-ramos-three-cancellations
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2023/09/09/ufc-293-justin-tafa-vs-austen-lane/
- "UFC 293 Bonus Report: Sean Strickland one of four fighters to take home $50k"https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/sean-strickland/ufc-293-bonus-report-sean-strickland-one-of-four-fighters-to-take-home-50k/
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2023/11/21/23970654/justin-tafa-marcos-rogerio-de-lima-added-ufc-298
- "Injury knocks Justin Tafa out of UFC 298 fight with Marcos Rogerio de Lima on weigh-in day"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/02/ufc-298-anaheim-justin-tafa-vs-marcos-rogerio-de-lima-canceled-weigh-in-day-injury
- "Junior Tafa steps into UFC 298 matchup on one day's notice after brother injured"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/02/ufc-298-news-junior-tafa-vs-marcos-rogerio-de-lima
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2024/3/3/24089225/justin-tafa-returns-the-favor-steps-in-for-brother-junior-to-face-karl-williams-at-ufc-vegas-89
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/03/24/ufc-vegas-89-karl-williams-wrestles-his-way-past-heavy-handed-justin-tafa/
- "UFC 308: Justin Tafa books UFC return against Kennedy Nzechukwu in Abu Dhabi"https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ufc/ufc-308-justin-tafa-books-ufc-return-against-kennedy-nzechukwu-in-abu-dhabi/CSGGLI37JBBXLFH6DTERGHSB3A/
- "Chris Barnett Gets New Booking, Faces Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308"https://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/12/chris-barnett-gets-new-booking-faces-kennedy-nzechukwu-at-ufc-308/
- "UFC 312: Two title fights confirmed for UFC's return to Sydney, with Dricus du Plessis defending against Sean Strickland"https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/ufc-312-two-title-fights-confirmed-for-ufcs-return-to-sydney-with-dricus-du-plessis-defending-against-sean-strickland/news-story/116af952669db12250878d32a7727e2c
- "UFC 312: Tallison Teixeira Wastes No Time Stopping Justin Tafa"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/08/ufc-312-tallison-teixeira-wastes-no-time-stopping-justin-tafa/
- "UFC 317: Heavyweight knockout artists clash on International Fight Week"https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/4/7/24403291/ufc-317-heavyweight-knockout-artists-clash-on-international-fight-week
- "UFC 317 reportedly receives major main card change"https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/ufc-317-justin-tafa-withdraws-main-card
- "Halve Nederlander Vanilla Gorilla krijgt UFC gevecht - echte knock-out machine"https://www.vechtsportinfo.nl/mma-nieuws/halve-nederlander-vanilla-gorilla-krijgt-ufc-gevecht-echte-knock-out-machine
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/latest-news/405870/ufc-perth-main-event-official-one-fight-cancelled-another-fighter-misses-weight
- MMA Fighting: UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) News, Resultshttps://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449224/justin-tafa-issues-statement-after-being-released-from-ufc-following-latest-fight-cancellation
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Justin-Tafa-254717