Career Averages - Valter Walker
Career Averages - Junior Tafa
Valter Walker
Junior Tafa
Valter Walker - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Louie Sutherland | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Louie Sutherland | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Louie Sutherland | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Louie Sutherland | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Walker (-310), Sutherland (+250)
Round 1
Tonight could be considered moving night at the UFC’s muddled heavyweight division, with four of the 13 encounters booked in the weightiest category observed by the promotion. Having landed three heel hooks in a row, Walker (14-1, 3-1 UFC) wants little more than to make that four straight—a record among anyone to set foot in the Octagon—and to do so will have to hand Sutherland (10-3, 0-0 UFC) his first defeat inside the distance. The heavy hitters with win rates before the final bell at 70% or higher collide under the watchful eye of referee Kerry Hatley, bumping fists prior to engaging.
Walker slides his way forward to throw a low kick, and Sutherland fires back with his own body kick. Walker keeps slinging kicks including one up the middle, and Sutherland turns his hips into one that lands with an audible thud. Sutherland sits down on a crisp right hand as Walker is coming in, shaking him up but not stopping him from completing a double-leg takedown. Sutherland shells up on his back as he takes punches, and
Walker rolls for his patented heel hook. The Brit defends the leglock attempt, spinning all the way around to alleviate some pressure. The Russian by way of Brazil follows him the entire rotation, completing the submission while “The Vanilla Gorilla” is still turning. With the heel hook locked in all the way, Sutherland has no choice but to surrender for the first time in his career.
Just like that, “The Foot Hunter” has now racked up four straight submissions of this type in the Octagon, tied for the most for any fighter in company history along with Rousimar Palhares while extending his own record for the most in a row. Just four wins into his UFC tenure and the GOR MMA fighter is already in the top five for the most submissions performed in UFC heavyweight history. Only Stefan Struve (six), Alexey Oleynik (seven) and Frank Mir (eight) have landed more. Most impressive.
The Official Result
Valter Walker def. Louie Sutherland R1 1:24 via Submission (Heel Hook)
Angelo picks Valter Walker, noting his physical transformation and three consecutive heel hook finishes in the UFC. He believes Walker's wrestling and submission threat will be too much for Luis Saldana, who appears to have lost muscle mass after coming off steroids. Angelo thinks the minus 300 line is reasonable given Saldana's diminished physicality.
Big Brady confidently picks Valter Walker, citing his improvements, size (6'6", 27 years old), and elite wrestling and submission skills, particularly heel hooks. He dismisses Louie Sutherland as a bottom-tier heavyweight with no standout attributes. Brady expects Walker to get an early takedown and secure a first-round submission, making it four in a row.
Cody picks Valter Walker, noting that Sutherland has never been finished but has faced lower-level competition. He believes Walker's wrestling and submission game will be too much, especially if he focuses on takedowns rather than diving for heel hooks. Cody suggests a Walker submission prop at plus 140 as a better bet than the heavy favorite line.
Connor picks Walker, expecting him to shoot takedowns and grapple. He notes that Sutherland is a fearless brawler but has no answer for wrestling, as anyone who has wrestled him has succeeded. Connor also highlights Walker's recent streak of heel hook submissions, suggesting Sutherland is vulnerable to that. He acknowledges Walker is not good but believes he is a bad matchup for Sutherland.
Daniel Vreeland is confident in Walker's submission skills, especially his heel hooks, but is hesitant to lay -335 on a guy who lost to Lucas Brzeski. He thinks Walker's grappling will be too much for Sutherland, who is a brawler with questionable conditioning. He predicts Walker will win, possibly by submission, but calls it a 'pure pick' rather than a betting recommendation.
Lucrative James picks Valter Walker confidently, noting his size advantage and ability to get takedowns. He references Sutherland's recent loss to Slim Trabelsi via grappling, and believes Walker can replicate that with his heel hook threat. He expects Walker to win by decision or submission.
The host considers Sutherland a mediocre opponent who could find success if he avoids Walker's early heel hook danger, but he doesn't think Sutherland can avoid it. He predicts Walker will add another heel hook submission win.
Paul agrees with Cody, adding that Sutherland's physique and past steroid use are concerns. He notes that Sutherland looked deflated at UFC weigh-ins and may not be as durable without enhancements. Paul believes Walker's youth and improvement will lead to a win, likely by submission.
The MMA Guru picks Valter Walker by submission, specifically a leg-lock or heel hook in the first round. He believes Walker is being given layup opponents and that Luis Saldivar (the opponent mentioned, though the transcript says Luis Saldivar but the fight is Valter Walker vs Louie Sutherland; likely a mix-up in the transcript) is not good and looks different from his Tapology picture. He expects Walker to go for the easiest path to victory and get a quick submission.
Zane agrees, noting that even if Walker doesn't get another heel hook, he will be an annoying wrestler and grinder. He describes Sutherland as a 'meathead to the core' who will struggle with Walker's grappling. Zane also points out that Walker's losses have come against fighters who are not 'heavyweight enough' to be overwhelmed by his style.
Angelo picks Valter Walker, noting his wrestling and heel hook expertise. He believes Valter should win by takedown and submission, but expresses concern about Valter's striking and potential to quit if takedowns are defended. He has low confidence in Mohammed Usman's skill set, calling him not a great fighter. He advises caution due to Valter's shaky performance in his last fight.
Cody picks Usman but is not confident, noting Walker's submission threat. He believes Usman's wrestling and durability can neutralize Walker, but expects a close fight. He suggests passing or taking the sub prop on Walker.
Lucrative James picks Valter Walker, highlighting his signature heel hook and the fact that Mohammed Usman is the type of fighter to get caught in one. He notes Walker's three consecutive heel hook wins in the UFC and believes Usman's grappling defense is not elite. He also mentions Walker's improved physique and cardio, and expects a round one submission. He likes the under 2.5 rounds (-135) and Walker by submission (+175).
Manpreet picks Walker to win by submission but is not confident in the moneyline at -315. He notes Walker's heel hook threat but also his vulnerability if the submission fails. He suggests Usman at plus 265 is worth consideration if he can avoid early danger. He prefers the submission prop at +175.
Paul picks Usman as a dog, citing Walker's one-dimensional game of fishing for heel hooks. He notes Usman's wrestling defense and jab, and believes he can stuff takedowns and win a decision. He suggests the over and Usman by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Valter Walker over Mohammed Usman, citing Walker's recent leg lock submissions and Usman's tentative, scared fighting style. He believes Walker will march forward and secure a heel hook submission in the first round. He notes Usman is more of an athlete than a fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Valter Walker | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Valter Walker | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Valter Walker | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Valter Walker | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo thinks Valter Walker can close the distance and get the fight to the ground, where his grappling is a problem for Kennedy Nzechukwu. He notes Kennedy can be gunshy and has lost staring contests, while Walker has transformed his body and has back-to-back heel hook finishes. He plans to bet on Walker, monitoring the line movement to find the peak.
Big Brady sees this as a striker vs wrestler matchup. He expects Valter Walker to take Kennedy down early and win the first round, but questions Walker's cardio and striking. He believes Walker will gas out, allowing Kennedy to take over in the second and third rounds. He picks Kennedy by second-round knockout.
Connor agrees, noting that Walker has no craft to his stand-up game and relies on a single trick (heel hooks). He thinks Nzechukwu is a better wrestler and grappler by virtue of being a former light heavyweight, and should be able to avoid the submission and win comfortably.
The host expects Nzechukwu to make it 3-0 at heavyweight by stuffing Walker's takedowns and outworking him on the feet. He notes that Nzechukwu is not a title contender but should win a decision. The pick is based on Nzechukwu's ability to keep the fight standing and outpoint Walker.
The MMA Guru picks Kennedy Nzechukwu, citing Valter Walker's poor debut against Lucas Brzeski where he looked lost on the feet and had sloppy takedown entries. He notes Nzechukwu's ability to stuff takedowns, referencing his fight with Paul Craig where he shut down 16 attempts. He expects Nzechukwu to survive a first round of danger, then piece up Walker on the feet for a second or third round TKO.
Zane thinks Nzechukwu looked confident and aggressive in his last fight against Lukasz Brzeski, and as a former light heavyweight, he should have better wrestling and grappling than most heavyweights. He believes Walker's goofy heel-hook game won't work against a good wrestler, and Nzechukwu should be able to beat him standing or on the ground.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo hesitantly picks Valter Walker, despite his hatred for Walker's embarrassing UFC debut. He reasons that Walker has good takedowns and Mayes is useless when taken down. However, he notes Walker's striking is awful and his cardio is suspect, so if Mayes can survive early, he could win. He says he cannot bet Walker at -165.
Big Brady picks Walker by decision, citing Mayes' poor takedown defense (58%) and inability to get up once taken down. He notes Mayes has a striking advantage but lacks power to hurt Walker. Walker should get takedowns easily and control Mayes on the ground, though he lacks finishing ability.
Expecting a slow, grueling fight. Walker will likely keep Mayes in defensive positions against the cage or on the ground, using his grappling-heavy approach to nullify Mayes' offense. Walker wins on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Valter Walker over Don'Tale Mayes, reasoning that Mayes has a history of losing and his wins are against low-level heavyweights. He acknowledges Walker's poor UFC debut but attributes it to circumstances, and believes Walker's regional success and potential will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 20 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 20 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 5 of 8 | 62% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Junior Tafa | 4 of 4 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 5 of 8 | 62% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Junior Tafa | 4 of 4 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tafa (-130), Walker (+110)
Round 1
The prelims close with a heavyweight smash-‘em-up derby where one of these two heavy hitters will likely wind up face down before it is all over. All but one of Tafa’s (5-2, 1-2 UFC) pro outings have ended by knockout, while Walker (11-1, 0-1 UFC) is no stranger to bludgeoning another man unconscious. Keeping his head on a swivel will be referee Steve Perceval, as feet and fists are sure to soar in moments. Before that happens, there is a sporting glove touch from the competitors. They are uncharacteristically tentative to begin the fight, with only one leg kick landing for the first 30 seconds. Tafa walks through the kick and busts Walker in the face, stumbling Walker against the cage. Tafa continues throwing hands, stinging Walker again, and Walker tries to slow things down and pursue a takedown. On his second effort, Walker manages to wrench “The Juggernaut” to the canvas. Tafa scoots to the fence and wall-walks to stand up, and Tafa grabs the fence to fight off a mat return. Walker scoops his legs out beneath him and dumps Tafa to the floor, and Tafa again grabs the cage in hopes of standing. Perceval is on top of it, warning Tafa again. Walker gets in a single left hand while trying to keep Tafa on the mat, hoping to settle in half guard. Walker grinds from on top with occasional short punches, and the crowd tries to energize Tafa with a local chant. Tafa remains pinned to the floor with a heavy man above him, and Perceval asks for more activity. Tafa clings to the neck to keep Walker stuck, or perhaps force a standup, and Walker breaks out of it and jams down an elbow. Commentators Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz heavily criticize Tafa’s complete inability and seeming lack of knowledge to get back to his feet, and
Walker changes things up by rolling for a sudden heel hook. Tafa flops to his back and screams, and as soon as he turns to his side, Perceval waves the fight off while shouting “Stop!”
Tafa is enraged, going to slap Walker in the face after the fight concludes, claiming that he did not tap out. His shout out was considered a verbal submission by Perceval—the right call, with screams specifically considered verbal tapouts in the Unified Rules—and officials pull the upset Tafa away and force him back to his corner. Tafa is not about to drop it, continuing to shout at the victorious Walker and flip him the middle finger during the official announcement. No amount of protest from Tafa will change the result, which will stand as a submission.
The Official Result
Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa R1 4:56 via Verbal Submission (Heel Hook)
Angelo picks Valter Walker to win via wrestling, believing he can get takedowns and control Junior Tafa, who has shown poor takedown defense. However, he talks himself out of betting on Walker because his last fight was an embarrassing cardio failure, and the odds are not plus money. He calls Walker 'absolutely horrible' but thinks he can win if he shows up prepared.
Big Brady picks Junior Tafa to win by second-round knockout. He is not high on either fighter but thinks Tafa has the advantage on the feet. He notes Valter Walker can wrestle and will likely get takedowns in the first round, but Walker gasses out early and looked terrible in his last fight. He expects Walker to tire in the second round, allowing Tafa to stuff takedowns and land a knockout. He says he would not bet this fight with a 10-foot pole, especially laying chalk on Tafa.
Cody believes Walker's wrestling will be the difference, as Tafa has poor takedown defense and no get-up game. He notes Walker looked improved physically and should learn from his debut loss. Cody expects Walker to take Tafa down and control him, possibly earning a submission or decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Valter Walker to win a decision, expecting him to look better than his debut. He notes that Tafa has been taken down and lost in the past, and that Walker's grappling could be the difference. Vreeland acknowledges the volatility and that Tafa has finishing upside, but leans toward the underdog Walker at plus money.
The host loves Walker as a plus-115 underdog, citing Tafa's poor takedown defense and ground game. He expects Walker to take Tafa down and grind him out, possibly finishing by ground and pound or submission. He calls the line a gift and is mystified by it.
Paul agrees, noting that everyone who has tried to take Tafa down has succeeded, and that Walker's best skill is wrestling. He warns that if Walker stands and trades, he'll get knocked out, but expects him to stick to the game plan. Paul also mentions Walker's improved physique and the need to see weigh-ins.
The MMA Guru picks Junior Tafa over Valter Walker. He acknowledges Walker's grappling but calls him a dumb fighter who didn't shoot takedowns against Lucas Brzeski despite getting them every time. He believes Tafa's takedown defense, shown against Mohammed Usman, will hold up. He predicts Tafa will KO Walker, calling Walker a large middleweight rather than a true heavyweight. He rants about heavyweight fighters being brainless.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Łukasz Brzeski | 0 | 33 of 67 | 49% | 56 of 101 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 1 | 7:19 |
| Valter Walker | 0 | 58 of 102 | 56% | 135 of 200 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:43 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Łukasz Brzeski | 0 | 12 of 18 | 66% | 21 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:16 |
| Valter Walker | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 52 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Łukasz Brzeski | 0 | 16 of 35 | 45% | 17 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Valter Walker | 0 | 32 of 56 | 57% | 39 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 3 | Łukasz Brzeski | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 18 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 3:05 |
| Valter Walker | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 44 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Łukasz Brzeski | 33 of 67 | 49% | 19 of 50 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 9 | 23 of 53 | 2 of 5 | 8 of 9 |
| Valter Walker | 58 of 102 | 56% | 27 of 70 | 16 of 17 | 15 of 15 | 55 of 96 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Łukasz Brzeski | 12 of 18 | 66% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 7 |
| Valter Walker | 16 of 27 | 59% | 4 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 16 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Łukasz Brzeski | 16 of 35 | 45% | 9 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Valter Walker | 32 of 56 | 57% | 19 of 42 | 8 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 52 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Łukasz Brzeski | 5 of 14 | 35% | 1 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Valter Walker | 10 of 19 | 52% | 4 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Valter Walker with high confidence, noting that Walker is massive (6'6") and a wrestler who should dominate by coming forward and ragdolling Łukasz Brzeski. He acknowledges that Walker's striking is miserable and he eats shots, but believes heavyweights are not used to a 6'6" Brazilian charging at them with wrestling. He expects the UFC to fast-track Walker.
Big Brady picks Valter Walker by decision, despite being unimpressed with Walker. He notes that Walker is huge, a solid wrestler, and can get fights to the mat. He cannot pick Łukasz Brzeski to win any UFC fight due to poor takedown defense and cardio. He expects a grinding decision with no finish.
Cody also picks Walker, noting that Brzeski has been taken down 8 times by Karl Williams. He thinks Walker's wrestling and size advantage will be key, and that if Walker sticks to takedowns and top control, he should win. Cody is wary of Walker's UFC debut but believes the matchup favors him.
Walker is a more complete fighter than his brother Johnny, with solid striking and underrated wrestling. He can take opponents down and grind them out. Brzeski is on a losing streak and has struggled against grapplers. Walker's size and strength advantage will allow him to control the fight and win by decision.
Paul picks Walker but is hesitant due to question marks. He likes Walker's size, athleticism, and grappling, and notes Brzeski has been taken down repeatedly by wrestlers like Karl Williams. Paul thinks Walker can take Brzeski down, make him carry weight, and gas him out. He acknowledges Walker is unproven but sees a clear path to victory via wrestling and top control.
The host identifies Walker as Johnny Walker's brother, noting he is 6'6", 26 years old, with an 81.5-inch reach. He highlights Walker's dynamic striking (front kicks, head kicks, spinning backfists) and good double-leg takedowns. He recalls a clip of Walker grappling with Johnny Walker, showing good sweeps and butterfly guard. He acknowledges Walker has a chin but is confident in his skills.
Junior Tafa - Fight History
The host picks Baraniewski by armbar, noting that Baraniewski is a very good grappler with judo and powerful takedowns. He expects Baraniewski to exchange a few strikes, then toss Tafa and armbar him as soon as they hit the mat. He mentions that Tafa's takedown defense and submission defense are not there.
AJ picks Baraniewski to finish Tafa, likely by submission in round one, citing Baraniewski's judo background and Tafa's suspect grappling. He notes Baraniewski can also win on the feet but expects the smart strategy to be takedown and submission. AJ is confident Baraniewski will showcase his grappling and get a first-round finish.
AJ is high on Iwo Baraniewski as a top light heavyweight prospect with thunderous power, aggressive violence, and a judo background. He believes Baraniewski can win by knockout or submission, showcasing his grappling against Junior Tafa, who lacks a well-rounded game. AJ predicts a dominant finish in under a round and a half.
Angelo picks Iwo Baraniewski but expresses concern about his lack of experience in later rounds, as he has never been past the first round. He notes that Baraniewski has power and can wrestle if needed, while Tafa's takedown defense is terrible. However, he worries that if Baraniewski doesn't finish early, he might gas.
Big Brady picks Iwo Baraniewski to win by first round submission. He notes that Junior Tafa has the worst grappling in the UFC and that Baraniewski should take him down and submit him easily. However, he worries about Baraniewski's fight IQ and whether he will choose to strike instead of grappling.
Iwo Baraniewski has five straight knockouts and is a brutal finisher. Junior Tafa has a weak chin and was knocked out by Billy Elekana. Baraniewski will knock him out in the first round, possibly with a submission but likely a KO.
Cody picks Baraniewski but is hesitant due to the high price and Baraniewski's reckless style. He notes Tafa is dangerous in the first round and Baraniewski could get clipped. He prefers not to get heavily invested at -375 but still expects Baraniewski to win.
Connor picks Iwo Baraniewski, agreeing with Zane's reasoning. He notes that Baraniewski is a violent, aggressive hyper-athlete who has been fighting absolute 'bobos' and that this is a good test. He expects Baraniewski to try takedowns and win, but acknowledges that if he stands and trades, Tafa could knock him out.
Iwo Baraniewski should win because he has a grappling advantage over Junior Tafa, who is susceptible to low kicks and has questionable cardio. However, Baraniewski can be reckless and hittable, so he must grapple to avoid getting clipped. The host expects a finish, possibly by submission, but notes Baraniewski's inconsistency.
Baraniewski is fundamentally better and has power, but Tafa has a puncher's chance. Baraniewski should win by first-round knockout if he doesn't get reckless. Tafa is bigger but lacks technical striking and grappling.
Lucrative James picks Iwo Baraniewski, expecting him to use his grappling to neutralize Junior Tafa's striking. He notes Baraniewski's takedown instincts and ground game, predicting a KO via ground and pound in round 1. He acknowledges Tafa's power but believes Baraniewski's wrestling will be the difference.
Baraniewski is a powerful wrestler with finishing ability; Tafa has poor takedown defense and gets demoralized on the ground. Baraniewski should take him down easily and finish by submission or TKO. The round one submission prop at +1100 is a great value.
Paul picks Baraniewski but is more confident in the under 1.5 rounds prop. He notes both fighters are aggressive and likely to end early. He has been parlaying the under 1.5 rounds with other bets, though he is pumping the brakes at -340.
Zane picks Iwo Baraniewski based on the rule of thumb that in a fight where both guys will blow their wads early, you pick the guy with takedowns. He notes that Baraniewski has shown he can take opponents down, and if he does that against Tafa, he will win easily. However, if he chooses to stand and trade, it becomes a coin flip. Zane acknowledges that Tafa is a slicker puncher and could knock Baraniewski out, but Baraniewski's takedown threat gives him the edge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 21 of 31 | 67% | 22 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Kevin Christian | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior Tafa | 0 | 21 of 31 | 67% | 22 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Kevin Christian | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Tafa | 21 of 31 | 67% | 20 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 10 |
| Kevin Christian | 13 of 21 | 61% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior Tafa | 21 of 31 | 67% | 20 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 10 |
| Kevin Christian | 13 of 21 | 61% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Towering light heavies Christian (9-3; 0-1 UFC) and Tafa (6-5; 2-5 UFC) go to work at the direction of referee Matt Wynne. Tafa is tall and long, but Christian is ridiculously huge, and they exchange hard shots immediately. Christian hacks away at Tafa’s front leg with nasty kicks from both sides, and Tafa is reacting right away. Tafa does not like the kicks one bit, but he’s countering with huge punches up top, several of which land. Christian is hurt and backing away, but manages to recover. The Brazilian goes right back to work on Tafa’s lead leg, which is visibly chewed up. Tafa is favoring the bad leg, but he plants on it anyway and floors Christian with a pair of flush hooks. Christian stumbles away.
Tafa gives chase, puts him down with a final right hand, then drops at least 10 jackhammer right elbows from top position before Wynne moves in to save the unconscious Brazilian.
Definitive finish to a blissfully defense-free scrap by “The Juggernaut.”
The Official Result
Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian R1 2:42 via KO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo leans Kevin Christian despite Junior Tafa being the better striker, because Tafa's takedown defense and ground game are terrible. He believes if Christian can get the fight to the ground, he will win. He expects a finish either way and mentions the under on rounds.
Big Brady picks Junior Tafa to win by first-round knockout. He calls Kevin Christian the worst fighter in UFC history, citing his lack of volume, chin, and wrestling. Brady notes Tafa has two UFC wins by knockout and believes Christian's only path is a triangle choke, which is unlikely. He trusts Tafa's power to finish early.
Cody picks Tafa but is hesitant, noting his poor cardio and submission vulnerability. He believes Tafa will likely win by knockout in the first round, but advises live betting Christian if it goes longer.
Connor picks Christian as a fun upset pick, noting that Tafa is a chaos fighter who either wins in the first round or loses. He points out that Tafa has no grappling and could get taken down or submitted by Christian's length. However, he admits Christian is bad and uncoordinated, making this a low-confidence pick.
Daniel Vreeland reluctantly picks Junior Tafa to win by knockout, but is wary of Tafa's poor ground game and history of losing as a favorite. He notes Kevin Christian's poor distance management but sees Tafa's power as the deciding factor.
Tafa is the favorite but his advantages are baked into the odds. He has bad cardio and ground game, while Christian is slow and hittable but could exploit Tafa's weaknesses if he grapples. The fight is likely to end inside the distance but odds are terrible. No bet recommended.
James is very confident in Junior Tafa because he believes Kevin Christian is a low-level UFC fighter with poor striking defense and cardio. He expects Tafa's superior boxing and kickboxing to lead to an early knockout, likely in the first round.
Lucrative James picks Junior Tafa to win via knockout. He considers Kevin Christian one of the worst fighters on the roster and believes Tafa is a much better striker. He expects Tafa's takedown defense to keep the fight standing where he has a clear advantage.
Despite normally fading Tafa, the host picks him here because Christian's grappling is not UFC level. He expects Tafa's initial grappling defense to keep the fight standing, and then Tafa will land a big knockout. The host notes Tafa's power and that Christian is hittable and lacks durability.
Paul picks Christian as an underdog, citing Tafa's history of gassing and getting submitted. He believes Christian's submission skills and durability could lead to an upset, especially if he survives the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Junior Tafa, despite his 6-5 record, believing he will catch Kevin Christian coming in. He notes Tafa looked improved in his last fight and dropped Billy Elekana. He also comments on Christian's background, suggesting it affects his pick.
Zane picks Tafa because he believes Kevin Christian is a bad athlete—flat-footed, slow, uncoordinated, and ungainly despite his height. He thinks Tafa, despite his own flaws, has enough power and aggression to finish Christian early. He notes that Christian is in Stefan Struve territory but without the toughness, and that Tafa should be able to beat him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Elekana | 1 | 38 of 70 | 54% | 38 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 24 of 51 | 47% | 27 of 54 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 1:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Elekana | 1 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 26 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 | |
| 2 | Billy Elekana | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 17 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Elekana | 38 of 70 | 54% | 21 of 49 | 14 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 37 of 66 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Junior Tafa | 24 of 51 | 47% | 20 of 45 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Elekana | 26 of 46 | 56% | 13 of 32 | 10 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 42 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Junior Tafa | 9 of 24 | 37% | 6 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Billy Elekana | 12 of 24 | 50% | 8 of 17 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Junior Tafa | 15 of 27 | 55% | 14 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Elekana (-250), Tafa (+205)
Round 1
The prelims wrap up with a struggling former heavyweight at 205 pounds in hopes of a new lease on life. Tafa (6-4, 2-4 UFC) dropped his first effort at light heavyweight, but he will get another chance as he takes on California native Elekana (9-2, 2-1 UFC). Referee Herb Dean dons his proverbial hard hat in anticipation of a whole lot of big swings in a small span of time, breathing a slight sigh of relief when the bruisers clap their hands together first.
Elekana slowly, cautiously wades in to go after the ex-heavyweight, not overcommitting to strikes but slowly backing the Kiwi to the fence. Elekana blocks a high kick and walks face-first into a bomb of a right hand that sets him down like a sack of bricks. Somehow, Elekana snaps back online after what appears to be a flash knockdown, and he grabs hold of Tafa and forces a bit of grappling before working his way up. Tafa rushes him, and he pulls back before going for broke. Elekana thanks him with a glove touch, and Tafa further gets his attention with a subsequent left hand. Tafa shuts down a takedown effort that might have gotten him down a year or two ago, and he intercepts a swinging Elekana with a sharp left hand down the middle. Elekana clips Tafa in the midst of an exchange, and Tafa backs off clutching his eye.
Elekana does not throw, instead shooting in for a single, and Tafa winces and pushes off. They flash out jabs at the same time, and Tafa goes with one to the sternum as Elekana frowns and shakes his head. Tafa gets in a pair of punches, and they high-five again. Tafa jabs, ducks and backs Elekana off with a body shot. Tafa winds up with a fierce right hand that shakes Elekana up, and Elekana manages to tank it and circle away as if nothing happened. Tafa takes advantage of a momentary lapse in defense with a right hand upstairs and a left to the body, and then looses a big right high. Tafa digs a kick to the ribs and punches the same target, and he attempts his own jabs to multiple targets. Elekana pitches out a front kick and gets knocked back courtesy of a right hand, and when he gathers himself, Tafa rips a huge left to the liver. Tafa unloads on Elekana before the round ends, and Elekana tags him back as they reach Round 2.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Round 2
The 205ers nod to one another and share a glove touch to get going in the second stanza. Elekana probes out his front kick with toes extended to the body, and he slips a right hand over the top. Elekana looks to hand-fight and take away Tafa’s left hand, and he pokes out a few jabs and threatens a takedown. Tafa scoots out of the way and backs Elekana to the wall with a pair of punches, but he does not corner Elekana as Elekana walks away and moves to the center of the cage again. The crowd boos this, as if they are seeing that these fighters are pulling their punches. Elekana does not pull anything when tagging Tafa with a pair of punches, and his right hand on the temple catches Tafa unaware. Tafa stumbles but does not go down, gathering himself and knocking Elekana back before allowing him once more to return to the center of the cage. Elekana closes in and grabs hold of Tafa, dragging him to the mat from behind so that he can step over into full mount.
Tafa turns to his side while Elekana is in a dominant position, and Tafa rolls around all while Elekana wraps up the body triangle.
Elekana briefly flirts with a rear-naked choke, and switches arms to change to the other side and locks it up in a hurry. Tafa knows that the submission is tight as a drum and that there is no way out, and he quickly taps out to give “Son of Susie” the submission victory.
Just like the Micallef fight from before, it only took one takedown to completely change the nature of this fight and turn the tide to one man’s favor.
The Official Result
Billy Elekana def. Justin Tafa R2 3:18 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Billy Elekana, stating he is the better overall MMA fighter with solid takedown defense and patient striking. He acknowledges Junior Tafa's kickboxing skills but notes his takedown defense is a huge hole. He warns that the odds are steep at -225 and that Tafa could have success if Elekana tries to strike, but Elekana can adjust.
Big Brady is confident in Billy Elekana, citing Junior Tafa's poor grappling (white belt) and Elekana's submission win over Kevin Christian. He believes Elekana will take Tafa down and submit him in the first round, as Tafa made Tuco Tokos look like Khabib.
Cody is confident in Elekana, citing Tafa's poor cardio and tendency to fade after the first round. He notes that Elekana has good grappling and submission skills, and expects him to take Tafa down and submit him in the second round. He acknowledges Elekana is not a world-beater but sees this as a favorable matchup.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Elekana. He emphasizes that Tafa's striking is not technical enough and he has no grappling, so Elekana should win if he doesn't freeze. Connor also comments on the odds, suggesting Elekana is overvalued.
Daniel Vreeland picks Elekana despite initially doubting him, citing Tafa's abysmal ground game. He believes Elekana can take Tafa down and finish quickly, though he warns that if Elekana bangs on the feet, he risks getting knocked out. Vreeland is surprised to be picking Elekana but sees a clear path to victory.
James picks Elekana to win by submission, citing his superior grappling and cardio. He believes Elekana will take Tafa down and finish what Sean Sherif started, likely with a rear-naked choke in round one.
Elekana is a solid BJJ specialist with good striking and timing. Tafa has poor takedown defense and is vulnerable on the ground, as seen in his submission losses. Elekana should evade Tafa's power shots, get takedowns, and find a submission within a round and a half. The host likes Elekana by submission at +210, noting that Tafa is a favorite fade.
Paul agrees, noting that Tafa has consistently gassed out and been finished in his UFC fights. He believes Elekana's grappling will be the difference and predicts a submission win in the second round.
The Guru picks Billy Elekana, calling it a no-brainer. He praises Elekana's technical level, grappling, and toughness, noting his performance against Bogdan Guskov. He expects Elekana to submit Junior Tafa in the first round, as Tafa is less technical and relies on brawling.
Zane picks Billy Elekana because he sees Elekana as a reasonable light heavyweight prospect with decent athleticism and durability, despite his loss to Bogdan Guskov. He believes Elekana's grappling advantage will be decisive, as Junior Tafa cannot wrestle or grapple and relies on one big blitz. Zane notes that if Elekana freezes, Tafa could win, but overall Elekana should win by taking the fight to the ground.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Aslan. He emphasizes that Tafa's record is terrible and that he has never won a fight past two minutes. Connor notes that Aslan has never been knocked out and is capable of throwing power combos and low kicks. He thinks Aslan's pressure and durability will overwhelm Tafa, who is purely a reactive striker with no control.
Zane picks Aslan, reasoning that Aslan is a nuts-and-bolts slugger who will pressure Tafa and throw combinations. He notes that Tafa is a reactive striker who throws one big punch at a time and has poor durability. Zane believes Aslan's willingness to blitz with power combos and his ability to go past the first round give him the edge, as Tafa has never won a fight that went past two minutes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 24 of 38 | 63% | 25 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:27 |
| Tuco Tokkos | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 31 of 57 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 | 0 | 7:51 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior Tafa | 0 | 16 of 23 | 69% | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:12 |
| Tuco Tokkos | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 14 of 19 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 4:14 | |
| 2 | Junior Tafa | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Tuco Tokkos | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 17 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 3:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Tafa | 24 of 38 | 63% | 21 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 14 | 10 of 10 | 8 of 14 |
| Tuco Tokkos | 11 of 22 | 50% | 7 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior Tafa | 16 of 23 | 69% | 15 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 8 of 8 | 7 of 10 |
| Tuco Tokkos | 6 of 9 | 66% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | |
| 2 | Junior Tafa | 8 of 15 | 53% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 4 |
| Tuco Tokkos | 5 of 13 | 38% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tafa (-175); Tokkos (+140)
Round 1
Down about 35 pounds with some serious physical transformation on his behalf, Tafa (6-3, 2-3 UFC) is aiming for a new lease on life at light heavyweight. He will be able to trade with a willing dance partner in Tokkos (10-5, 0-2 UFC), where a knockout may not be guaranteed but it is greatly expected. Before the bludgeoning, referee Eric McMahon clocks the fighters in, and they bump fists.
Tokkos says hello with a chopping low kick, and Tafa checks a second one and attacks behind his jab. Tafa checks another kick, and he finds himself facing a single-leg entry from the Brit. Tafa elbows the side of the head a few times, and Tokkos still manages to wrangle him to the floor. Tokkos keeps hold of Tafa’s left leg to trap him on the mat, and he holds in there. Fans are not amused by the lack of activity of the two sluggers, and Tafa takes advantage of their momentum and stands up. The Kiwi hacks down the back of the head a few times, grabs the fence and is still dragged to his seat courtesy of the Tokkos single. Tafa wall-walks upright and is mat returned in a hurry. Tafa stands, and he wraps up a power guillotine choke only to release it to slash down with elbows.
Tokkos throws Tafa back down to the floor with emphasis, and Tafa repositions himself to sit on his seat. Tokkos smothers the former heavyweight with chest pressure, and McMahon tells them they need to do more than stall out. Tafa gets to a knee, and Tokkos takes his back and loops one hook around the legs. Tokkos dives after a short choke, and Tafa gives up his back and starts fighting hands. Tokkos resets himself to set up a rear-naked choke, and he releases it to shift to full mount, arm-triangle briefly in play. Tokkos postures up to drive down punches, getting warned for back of the head shots as well. He continues to impose his weight on Tafa, and is warned for grabbing inside the glove to keep Tafa on the mat. Tafa flips him over with seconds to go and lets Tokkos have it, cutting Tokkos on the top of the head as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tokkos
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Tokkos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tokkos
Round 2
Tafa touches gloves with his foe and unleashes a hellacious overhand right. Tokkos shrugs at him, but he is beaned by another big right. Tafa clubs him with an uppercut, and Tokkos falls on his face. Tokkos rolls around on the mat to try to get Tafa in a grappling exchange, and Tafa stands up and makes him get up. Tokkos explodes forward, nailing Tafa with a shock right hand that he uses to set up a takedown after it. Tafa gets dragged to the mat, and Tokkos clings to him and holds on with a front choke. Along the way, he is warned for grabbing Tafa’s gloves. Tokkos steps over to half guard and easily climbs to three-quarter mount, only to pull himself back one step so he keeps Tafa flat on his back. Tokkos sits up and drives down punches and hammerfists, and Tafa turns to his side to survive. Tokkos quits punching for the most part to get a hook in around the side.
Tafa shifts to his back again, and Tokkos considers an arm-triangle choke and is admonished for eye gouging when he puts his fingers on Tafa’s face. Tokkos sits up again to land some bombs, and he uses the punches to set up a rear-naked choke. Tafa on his side is able to break up the submission, but Tokkos is still on him making him carry every additional pound.
This time, Tokkos advances to full mount, and he latches on with an arm-triangle choke and steps over to the side. Crushing down with all of his energy, Tokkos forces Tafa to submit to the choke.
McMahon breaks up the sub, and Tokkos strides away and drops to his knees to take in his first UFC victory.
The Official Result
George Tokkos def. Junior Tafa R2 4:25 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Tuco Tokkos but admits he can't bet on him because Tokkos is winless in the UFC. He thinks Tokkos can get the fight to the ground and control Junior Tafa, who has poor takedown defense and looked out of shape in his last fight. However, he notes Tokkos is not reliable enough to bet on as a dog.
Big Brady hates this fight from a betting standpoint. He warns that Junior Tafa's ground game is terrible and if Tuco Tokkos gets him down, it could be bad. However, he cannot rely on Tokkos to wrestle or do anything. He picks Tafa by default, expecting a first-round knockout, but says he would never lay -160 on Tafa.
Connor picks Tokkos hesitantly, noting that Junior Tafa is a one-dimensional slugger who is very upright and easy to navigate. He acknowledges that Tokkos is hurtable and awkward, but believes his wrestling and toughness might be enough to outwork Tafa. Connor admits Tafa could knock Tokkos out, but he leans toward Tokkos due to Tafa's lack of versatility.
The host is not a fan of either fighter but believes Tokkos has the BJJ black belt to take Tafa to the ground and find a submission quickly. He criticizes Tafa's overall skill level, noting he has decent pop but is not a good fighter. Tokkos has underperformed in the UFC but has the grappling chops to win.
The MMA Guru picks Junior Tafa, noting he is in shape for his light heavyweight debut and has had some success in the UFC, unlike Tuco Tokkos who has lost three straight and shown no success. He expects Tafa to be 'lean and mean' and score a first-round TKO, as Tokkos has been finished in all his losses.
Zane also picks Tokkos, reasoning that Tafa's move down to light heavyweight won't fix his fundamental issues. He notes that Tokkos is a hard worker who tries to win, and that Tafa's one-note striking might not be enough to put him away. Zane is not confident, calling it a terrible fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 71 of 128 | 55% | 71 of 128 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Sean Sharaf | 0 | 53 of 118 | 44% | 54 of 122 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior Tafa | 0 | 36 of 75 | 48% | 36 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Sharaf | 0 | 46 of 102 | 45% | 47 of 106 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Junior Tafa | 0 | 35 of 53 | 66% | 35 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Sean Sharaf | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Tafa | 71 of 128 | 55% | 61 of 117 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 71 of 128 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Sharaf | 53 of 118 | 44% | 39 of 101 | 7 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 44 of 93 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 22 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior Tafa | 36 of 75 | 48% | 28 of 66 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 36 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Sharaf | 46 of 102 | 45% | 34 of 87 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 37 of 78 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 22 | |
| 2 | Junior Tafa | 35 of 53 | 66% | 33 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Sharaf | 7 of 16 | 43% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: ODDS: Tafa (-400), Sharaf (+250)
Round 1
The UFC nearly went two months without staging a heavyweight fight, with the last one between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Tai Tuivasa in the middle of August. Tafa (5-3, 1-3 UFC), one of the other hefty participants that night, will try to get back in the win column at the expense of relative neophyte Sharaf (4-0, 0-0 UFC). Referee Mark Smith will be keeping his head on a swivel, as these two sluggers combine for nine knockouts across their nine wins. Gloves are briefly touched, and Sharaf does not waste time and winds up a low kick and look for a big right hand. Sharaf backs Tafa against the fence and swings for the bleachers, forcing Tafa to bounce off the wall. Tafa jabs to the body, and Sharaf comes up top with a one-two. Tafa splits the guard with long punches, and Sharaf thumps the front leg with a kick. Tafa winds up with a counter right hand to nail the newcomer on the side of the head, and Sharaf dives after him for a takedown. Tafa grabs the fence to keep himself on his feet, and Smith is not happy about that and calls time to warn him of his foul. When they resume, it does not take more than a few seconds for Sharaf to charge his foe and get the takedown he was seeking. Tafa does not stay on his back for long before getting back to his feet, and they stand in the center of the cage and trade single strikes. The ferocity between the two is not nearly as intense as before, but Tafa breaks this up by blasting Sharaf in the side of the head and shaking him up. Tafa showboats by pointing at Sharaf’s corner, and Sharaf surges into action with thunderous punches that back “The Juggernaut” to the wall again. Tafa strafes away in part due to a successful takedown defense, and he scores a few leg kicks and follows one with a left hook. Sharaf keeps a decent poker face but is stung from the blow, and Tafa winds up and nails him on the temple to further shake him up. Tafa marches him down, walking through wild counters while picking his shots that are landing cleaner and heavier. Tafa backs off to adjust his shorts, and he checks a calf kick and leans back as a left hook comes his way. Tafa slips two lefts around the guard and unloads haymakers, only for Sharaf to stand form and rock him with two hooks and drag him to the mat with a double. Tafa turns to his side as Sharaf claims full mount, and Sharaf beats on him with punches and elbows. Sharaf swarms his man with elbows until the horn saves an exhausted Tafa.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sharaf
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sharaf
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sharaf
Round 2
The big men are sucking wind after five minutes of brawling, and they get back to it and tap their large hands together. Tafa fights behind his jab, tripling up on it and following with a right hand. Sharaf tries a labored shot, and he gets caught with a right hand. Sharaf steps out with a left hand, and Tafa intercepts him with an uppercut while stopping a shot. Sharaf digs a left to the body and a right to the head, and Tafa surges into action. Tafa winds up a massive right hand, and Sharaf don’t like it. His casbah is rocked. Tafa throws hammers until he runs out of steam, and he has no choice but to disengage as Sharaf is still in the fight albeit bloodied from his left eye. Tafa unloads a right hand around the guard of his opponent, and he marches forward and rifles off three uppercuts. Sharaf is barely on his feet, taking a deep breath and leaning back to avoid a haymaker. Tafa laughs off a possible shot and walks Sharaf from one side of the cage to the other.
The spent Kiwi summons all his energy into one final punch, in the form of a booming right hand that clips Sharaf on the temple. Sharaf stumbles away, hanging on tightly to consciousness, and Smith sees he is not intelligently defending himself and waves the fight off.
Taking the fight earlier this week, Sharaf showed off several solid moments and about five minutes of cardio, and Tafa had just a little more in the tank to get his hand raised. The victorious “Juggernaut” retains his 100% knockout rate, and he drops to his seat in exhaustion.
The Official Result
Junior Tafa def. Sean Sharaf R2 2:15 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Junior Tafa, citing his kickboxing skills and the fact that Chris Barnett hasn't fought in two years. He notes that Barnett's athleticism declines with age and that Tafa should be able to piece him up on the feet. Angelo mentions that Tafa's takedown defense is a hole, but Barnett is unlikely to exploit it. He believes Tafa will win via striking and that the layoff will show rust on Barnett.
Big Brady picks Junior Tafa to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Tafa is a sizable favorite and has the striking advantage, but acknowledges that if Sharaf wrestles, Tafa has no takedown defense or ground game. However, since Sharaf hasn't shown wrestling, Brady expects Tafa to knock him out early. He mentions the under is juiced and thinks someone gets finished in the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Sharaf is a typical heavyweight signing with no tape, who will be aggressive but likely sucks if he doesn't knock Tafa out instantly. He points out that Tafa has at least shown some striking ability and is not as easily overwhelmed as Sharaf's previous opponents.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel notes Tafa's significant size and age advantages over Barnett, who is 5'8", 38 years old, and obese. He believes Tafa's striking is excellent and that Barnett will stand and trade, leading to a knockout. The only concern is Tafa's poor grappling if taken down, but Daniel thinks Barnett won't attempt takedowns.
The host is not a fan of Junior Tafa, calling him overrated with only one UFC victory that he 'cheated' to get via a fence grab. Sharaf is a short-notice replacement but a longtime member of Extreme Couture, training with Francis Ngannou and others. Sharaf should engage in striking and possibly grappling, showcasing better MMA and pulling off the upset.
The MMA Guru picks Junior Tafa over Chris Barnett (note: transcript says Chris Barnett but fight card lists Sean Sharaf; likely a mistake in transcript). He trusts Tafa's boxing and power at heavyweight over Barnett's kicks and unorthodox striking. He notes Barnett's history of being knocked out and his poor boxing, while Tafa is young and hits hard with clean boxing.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Zane picks Tafa because he has more experience and can throw combinations, having done some kickboxing. He notes that Sharaf has almost no tape and is likely a one-dimensional knockout artist who will struggle if he doesn't finish early. Zane thinks Tafa's craftiness with punches gives him the edge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 20 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 20 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valter Walker | 5 of 8 | 62% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Junior Tafa | 4 of 4 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valter Walker | 5 of 8 | 62% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Junior Tafa | 4 of 4 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tafa (-130), Walker (+110)
Round 1
The prelims close with a heavyweight smash-‘em-up derby where one of these two heavy hitters will likely wind up face down before it is all over. All but one of Tafa’s (5-2, 1-2 UFC) pro outings have ended by knockout, while Walker (11-1, 0-1 UFC) is no stranger to bludgeoning another man unconscious. Keeping his head on a swivel will be referee Steve Perceval, as feet and fists are sure to soar in moments. Before that happens, there is a sporting glove touch from the competitors. They are uncharacteristically tentative to begin the fight, with only one leg kick landing for the first 30 seconds. Tafa walks through the kick and busts Walker in the face, stumbling Walker against the cage. Tafa continues throwing hands, stinging Walker again, and Walker tries to slow things down and pursue a takedown. On his second effort, Walker manages to wrench “The Juggernaut” to the canvas. Tafa scoots to the fence and wall-walks to stand up, and Tafa grabs the fence to fight off a mat return. Walker scoops his legs out beneath him and dumps Tafa to the floor, and Tafa again grabs the cage in hopes of standing. Perceval is on top of it, warning Tafa again. Walker gets in a single left hand while trying to keep Tafa on the mat, hoping to settle in half guard. Walker grinds from on top with occasional short punches, and the crowd tries to energize Tafa with a local chant. Tafa remains pinned to the floor with a heavy man above him, and Perceval asks for more activity. Tafa clings to the neck to keep Walker stuck, or perhaps force a standup, and Walker breaks out of it and jams down an elbow. Commentators Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz heavily criticize Tafa’s complete inability and seeming lack of knowledge to get back to his feet, and
Walker changes things up by rolling for a sudden heel hook. Tafa flops to his back and screams, and as soon as he turns to his side, Perceval waves the fight off while shouting “Stop!”
Tafa is enraged, going to slap Walker in the face after the fight concludes, claiming that he did not tap out. His shout out was considered a verbal submission by Perceval—the right call, with screams specifically considered verbal tapouts in the Unified Rules—and officials pull the upset Tafa away and force him back to his corner. Tafa is not about to drop it, continuing to shout at the victorious Walker and flip him the middle finger during the official announcement. No amount of protest from Tafa will change the result, which will stand as a submission.
The Official Result
Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa R1 4:56 via Verbal Submission (Heel Hook)
Angelo picks Valter Walker to win via wrestling, believing he can get takedowns and control Junior Tafa, who has shown poor takedown defense. However, he talks himself out of betting on Walker because his last fight was an embarrassing cardio failure, and the odds are not plus money. He calls Walker 'absolutely horrible' but thinks he can win if he shows up prepared.
Big Brady picks Junior Tafa to win by second-round knockout. He is not high on either fighter but thinks Tafa has the advantage on the feet. He notes Valter Walker can wrestle and will likely get takedowns in the first round, but Walker gasses out early and looked terrible in his last fight. He expects Walker to tire in the second round, allowing Tafa to stuff takedowns and land a knockout. He says he would not bet this fight with a 10-foot pole, especially laying chalk on Tafa.
Cody believes Walker's wrestling will be the difference, as Tafa has poor takedown defense and no get-up game. He notes Walker looked improved physically and should learn from his debut loss. Cody expects Walker to take Tafa down and control him, possibly earning a submission or decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Valter Walker to win a decision, expecting him to look better than his debut. He notes that Tafa has been taken down and lost in the past, and that Walker's grappling could be the difference. Vreeland acknowledges the volatility and that Tafa has finishing upside, but leans toward the underdog Walker at plus money.
The host loves Walker as a plus-115 underdog, citing Tafa's poor takedown defense and ground game. He expects Walker to take Tafa down and grind him out, possibly finishing by ground and pound or submission. He calls the line a gift and is mystified by it.
Paul agrees, noting that everyone who has tried to take Tafa down has succeeded, and that Walker's best skill is wrestling. He warns that if Walker stands and trades, he'll get knocked out, but expects him to stick to the game plan. Paul also mentions Walker's improved physique and the need to see weigh-ins.
The MMA Guru picks Junior Tafa over Valter Walker. He acknowledges Walker's grappling but calls him a dumb fighter who didn't shoot takedowns against Lucas Brzeski despite getting them every time. He believes Tafa's takedown defense, shown against Mohammed Usman, will hold up. He predicts Tafa will KO Walker, calling Walker a large middleweight rather than a true heavyweight. He rants about heavyweight fighters being brainless.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Valter Walker to win via wrestling, believing he can get takedowns and control Junior Tafa, who has shown poor takedown defense. However, he talks himself out of betting on Walker because his last fight was an embarrassing cardio failure, and the odds are not plus money. He calls Walker 'absolutely horrible' but thinks he can win if he shows up prepared.
Big Brady picks Junior Tafa to win by second-round knockout. He is not high on either fighter but thinks Tafa has the advantage on the feet. He notes Valter Walker can wrestle and will likely get takedowns in the first round, but Walker gasses out early and looked terrible in his last fight. He expects Walker to tire in the second round, allowing Tafa to stuff takedowns and land a knockout. He says he would not bet this fight with a 10-foot pole, especially laying chalk on Tafa.
Cody believes Walker's wrestling will be the difference, as Tafa has poor takedown defense and no get-up game. He notes Walker looked improved physically and should learn from his debut loss. Cody expects Walker to take Tafa down and control him, possibly earning a submission or decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Valter Walker to win a decision, expecting him to look better than his debut. He notes that Tafa has been taken down and lost in the past, and that Walker's grappling could be the difference. Vreeland acknowledges the volatility and that Tafa has finishing upside, but leans toward the underdog Walker at plus money.
The host loves Walker as a plus-115 underdog, citing Tafa's poor takedown defense and ground game. He expects Walker to take Tafa down and grind him out, possibly finishing by ground and pound or submission. He calls the line a gift and is mystified by it.
Paul agrees, noting that everyone who has tried to take Tafa down has succeeded, and that Walker's best skill is wrestling. He warns that if Walker stands and trades, he'll get knocked out, but expects him to stick to the game plan. Paul also mentions Walker's improved physique and the need to see weigh-ins.
The MMA Guru picks Junior Tafa over Valter Walker. He acknowledges Walker's grappling but calls him a dumb fighter who didn't shoot takedowns against Lucas Brzeski despite getting them every time. He believes Tafa's takedown defense, shown against Mohammed Usman, will hold up. He predicts Tafa will KO Walker, calling Walker a large middleweight rather than a true heavyweight. He rants about heavyweight fighters being brainless.
Comments (1)
The brother of Johnny does it again
Lol, Louie nice leg kicks. Valter is big. The takedown against the fence, legs tucked. Went for gnp for 5 second rolled back for the ankle. Alligator roll and then the tap
Previous fight for Louie wasn't bad. Patient, followed. Dropped the opponent with a knee down the middle. Nice gnp. Great use of elbows. Full rotation, the new elbow rules suit him.