The UFC has re-signed light heavyweight striker Junior Tafa to a new contract after he picked up an impressive knockout win at UFC Perth.
Tafa’s management group at Ginnen Group Sports Management confirmed the news on Wednesday on social media. According to their Instagram post, not only has Tafa signed a new, multi-fight deal with the UFC, but he also has his next fight booked for June, although no opponent was mentioned.
Junior Tafa is a KO Artist
At 29 years of age, Tafa is one of the younger light heavyweights in the UFC. The New Zealand-born Aussie is a KO artist, having won all seven of his career victories by knockout. In his last fight earlier this month at UFC Perth, Tafa picked up a brutal first-round knockout win over Brazilian Kevin Christian, which helped him snap a two-fight losing skid. Tafa earned a $25,000 finishing bonus for his stoppage victory.
Overall in his MMA career, Tafa holds a 7-5 record, including a 3-5 mark in the UFC. It is certainly fair to say that the win over Christian helped him save his spot on the roster and was the reason the promotion led to a new contract.
After starting his UFC career off as a heavyweight, Tafa was 2-3 with two knockout wins at the promotion’s heaviest weight class. He then decided to make the move down to light heavyweight last year, and since then, he has been 1-2 in his new division.
The problem with Tafa is that, while he possesses devastating KO power, his ground game is a big weakness. In three of his five UFC losses, he was taken down to the ground and submitted, so there is a clear path to beat him. But on the feet, there is no doubt he has massive power in his hands, and it has led to him scoring three brutal knockout wins in the UFC, plus four knockouts from his time in MMA before joining the UFC.
In addition to his MMA career, Tafa also has pro boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai experience. His brother, Justin Tafa, formerly fought in the UFC heavyweight division, so he comes from a fighting family.
What’s Next for Junior Tafa?
As his management’s post indicated, Tafa already has his next fight lined up for June. Taking a look at the UFC light heavyweight division roster, we can get an idea of who his next opponent will be.
Since the UFC typically likes to match up fighters who are coming off wins, Diyar Nurgozhay would be a good opponent, as he is coming off a win and has a 1-2 record in the UFC. If the UFC instead chooses to match up Tafa against someone coming off a loss, then there are several options available, including Bruno Lopes, Rafael Tobias, and Luke Fernandez, to name a few. The promotion could also sign a new fighter to take on Tafa, though, considering he now has eight UFC fights under his belt, it’s more likely he gets someone who is on the roster already next.
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