Justin Tafa was born on 13 December 1993 and is an Australian-New Zealand professional mixed martial artist.
36 Facts About Justin Tafa
1.
2.
Justin Tafa currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
3.
Justin Tafa's grandfather was a national boxing champion while his three brothers have fought professionally.
4.
One of his brothers, Junior Justin Tafa, is a former Glory heavyweight kickboxer and now a MMA fighter in the Heavyweight division of the UFC as well.
5.
Justin Tafa played for the Marist Saints in the junior Auckland Rugby League and was signed to the Melbourne Storm.
6.
Justin Tafa made his professional debut at XFC 30, with a second-round stoppage of Dylan Tiaaleaiga.
7.
Justin Tafa was then scheduled to fight Jeremy Joiner for the XFC Heavyweight title, at XFC 36.
8.
Justin Tafa won the fight by TKO, after just 28 seconds.
9.
Justin Tafa was scheduled to make his first title defense against David Taumoepeau on 24 May 2019, at XFC 41.
10.
Justin Tafa won the fight by a second-round TKO, stopping his opponent 30 seconds into the second round.
11.
Justin Tafa made his promotional debut on 6 October 2019, at UFC 243 against Yorgan De Castro.
12.
Justin Tafa lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
13.
Justin Tafa won the fight via TKO in the first round.
14.
Justin Tafa was scheduled to face Raphael Pessoa on 25 July 2020, at UFC on ESPN 14.
15.
Justin Tafa faced Carlos Felipe on 16 January 2021, at UFC on ABC: Holloway vs Kattar.
16.
Justin Tafa faced Jared Vanderaa on 22 May 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Font vs Garbrandt.
17.
Justin Tafa faced Harry Hunsucker on 18 December 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199.
18.
At the weigh-ins, Justin Tafa weighed in at 267 pounds, 1 pound over the heavyweight non-title fight limit, marking the first time in UFC history that a fighter missed weight in that division.
19.
The bout proceeded at catchweight and Justin Tafa was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Hunsucker.
20.
Justin Tafa won the fight via knockout in the first round.
21.
Justin Tafa was scheduled to face Jake Collier on 30 April 2022, at UFC on ESPN 35.
22.
However, Justin Tafa withdrew from event for undisclosed reasons, and was replaced by Andrei Arlovski.
23.
Justin Tafa was scheduled to face Don'Tale Mayes on 30 July 2022, at UFC 277.
24.
Justin Tafa pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Hamdy Abdelwahab.
25.
Justin Tafa faced Parker Porter on 12 February 2023, at UFC 284.
26.
Justin Tafa won the fight via knockout in the first round.
27.
Justin Tafa faced Austen Lane on 24 June 2023, at UFC on ABC: Emmett vs Topuria.
28.
Less than thirty seconds into the bout, Lane accidentally eyepoked Justin Tafa who was unable to continue, resulting in a no contest.
29.
Justin Tafa faced Lane in a rematch on 10 September 2023, at UFC 293.
30.
Justin Tafa was scheduled to face Marcos Rogerio de Lima on 17 February 2024, at UFC 298.
31.
However, Justin Tafa withdrew the day before the event due to injury.
32.
Justin Tafa faced Karl Williams, replacing his injured brother Junior Justin Tafa, on 23 March 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.
33.
However, Justin Tafa withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Chris Barnett.
34.
Justin Tafa faced promotional newcomer Tallison Teixeira on 9 February 2025 at UFC 312.
35.
Justin Tafa lost the fight by technical knockout 35 seconds into the first round.
36.
Justin Tafa was scheduled to face Jhonata Diniz on 28 June 2025 at UFC 317.