Latest news with #JuniorTafa
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tuco Tokkos appreciates first UFC win more because he had to earn it in Nashville
Tuco Tokkos met the media Saturday after his second-round submission win over Junior Tafa at UFC on ESPN 70. Tokkos (11-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) submitted Tafa (6-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday for his first win in the promotion. The U.K.-based light heavyweight said the fact he had to go through some adversity to get it means he'll appreciate it more later. Advertisement "That's what I wanted. Obviously, we all want to finish quickly. But he made me earn it, and I'm actually grateful for that," Tokkos told after the fight. "I had to go out there and prove it to myself. It was hard to come by, but I got it in the end. I'm proud of myself." Tokkos said he wants to fight on a card in the U.K. – and hopes now that the UFC officially has a British champion in heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall, maybe he can make his way onto an event back home. Check out Tokkos' post-fight interview in the video below. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Tuco Tokkos appreciates first UFC win more because he had to earn it
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 70 medical suspensions: Three fighters receive 180-day terms
UFC on ESPN 70 is in the books. The dust has settled, but the bumps and bruises remain. Following Saturday's event at Bridgestone Arena in Nasvhille, Tenn., the 24 athletes who competed on the card have been suspended, per the Tennessee Athletic Commission (TAC). The suspensions range from the shortest seven days to potentially the longest 180 days. Kennedy Nzechukwu and Junior Tafa, who each suffered submission losses, as well as Mike Davis, who won his bout by TKO, each received a 180-day term. The TAC did not reveal specific injuries but rather just the durations of the suspensions. Fighters can return prior to the conclusion of their suspension term should they be cleared by a doctor. Below is the complete list. Full list of UFC on ESPN 70 medical suspensions:
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 70
Junior Tafa and Tuco Tokkos meet Saturday in the main card opener of UFC on ESPN 70 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 2-3 UFC main cards, 2025: 64-48-1 Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos UFC on ESPN 70 preview Tafa (6-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) moves down to light heavyweight as he looks to get back to .500 in the UFC. Despite winning his last fight by knockout against Sean Sharaf in October, Tafa makes the switch from heavyweight to 205 pounds. ... Tokkos (10-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) is hunting for his first UFC win. His debut was last May against Oumar Sy, which was a quick one he lost by submission in the first round. His sophomore appearance was a decision loss against Navajo Stirling. Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos UFC on ESPN 70 expert pick, prediction Despite UFC 317 recently reminding us of the value of card formatting and building around the actually good weight classes like the lighter divisions, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby continue to force-feed us low-level big men on Fight Night cards like it's some kind of fetish for them. I mean, I can't even say that this matchup between Junior Tafa and Tuco Tokkos will be fun for as long as it lasts, because it probably won't be fun at all and will likely go a lot longer than we want it to (which, I know, is starting sound like a personal problem at this point, but I digress). It should be noted that Tafa is dropping down from heavyweight for this fight, so it will at least be nice to see him finally competing in his more natural weight class. Although Tokkos potentially stymying Tafa via a grappling attack for three frames is a real possibility here (and almost a karmic one given the UFC matchmaker's propensity to tempt fate with their terrible card formatting), I'll reluctantly pick Tafa to survive the wrestling attempts en route to a knockout win in Round 2. Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos UFC on ESPN 70 odds The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Australian fighter, listing Tafa -180 and Tokkos +140 via FanDuel. Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos UFC on ESPN 70 start time, how to watch As the main card opener, Tafa and Tokkos are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 9:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN and ESPN+.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 70 predictions: Can Derrick Lewis upset Tallison Teixeira in Nashville?
The UFC is back in 'Music City' for the first time in two years with heavyweights at the top of the ticket. UFC on ESPN 70 (ESPN/ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below. Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos Austen Lane vs. Vitor Petrino Morgan Charriere vs. Nate Landwehr Steve Garcia vs. Calvin Kattar Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira Individual staff member picks, main card Readers 92–57: Teixeira (50.1%), Bonfim (67%), Garcia (62%), Charriere (59%), Petrino (89%), Tafa (74%) Preliminary card picks Although they don't count toward the standings, MMA Junkie staff members still pick the fights on the prelims. Here are the results:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Nashville: Three Fighters Who Could Be Cut with a Loss
UFC Nashville: Three Fighters Who Could Be Cut with a Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC is back with a heavyweight headliner—alongside a few careers hanging by a thread. This weekend's UFC Nashville card doesn't just promise knockouts—it's laced with high-stakes drama. While the big boys throw down in the main event, with Derrick Lewis facing Tallison Teixeira, there's a different kind of pressure simmering on the undercard. A few fighters are walking into the cage with their backs against the wall. Advertisement One more stumble, and it might be lights out—not just in the Octagon, but on their UFC contracts. Dana WhiteGettyImages At just 28 years old, Junior Tafa is entering what could be the most important fight of his young career. Yes, he won his last bout, and yes, he's dropping down to light heavyweight for a fresh start. But let's be honest: two losses in his last three—including a first-round submission to Valter Walker—still hang over his record like a storm cloud. The move to 205 could rejuvenate him—or it could expose the same inconsistencies that have fans and analysts raising eyebrows. Junior TafaGetty Images Across from him is Tuco Tokkos, a 35-year-old veteran, and frankly, this one feels like a 'loser leaves town' match. Tokkos hasn't found a win in the UFC. He's been finished twice in the first round—once by Oumar Sy and once by Zhang Minyang. If he goes 0–4, it's hard to imagine the UFC giving him another shot, unless he delivers the kind of performance that burns itself into Dana White's memory. Advertisement Tuco Tokkos weighing Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Then there's Chris Curtis, a 37-year-old veteran. The guy has grit, no doubt. But grit only goes so far when you've won just once in your last five appearances. His last fight ended in a brutal third-round KO, and while some of his losses have been close, moral victories don't keep you employed in this game. Another slip and Curtis could find himself out of the picture. Chris CurtisGetty Images Dana White doesn't do sympathy contracts. He doesn't need to say anything. When it's time to clean house, he swings the axe fast and without warning. For these fighters, UFC Nashville isn't just about scorecards or rankings—it's about proving they belong. And if they don't? Well… there's a long line of hungry talent waiting for their shot. Advertisement Related: UFC Signs Dangerous Heavyweight Submission Specialist in Latest Move Related: Ricky Hatton's Comeback Fight Is Set – Here's What We Know About His Opponent This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
