Justin Tafa’s stepping up big time for his bro. He’s jumping in the ring for Junior Tafa, squaring off against Karl Williams. This heavyweight clash is set for UFC on ESPN 53 on March 23. Buzz first came from MMA Mania, and Williams himself gave it the nod on social media.
So, here’s the scoop. Junior Tafa was the original stand-in for Justin when he got sidelined by a mystery injury right before UFC 298. That fight? Well, it didn’t go Junior’s way. He faced a tough loss to Marcos Rogerio de Lima by second-round TKO. That bout went down in Anaheim, California, back on Feb. 17.
Now, Justin Tafa? He’s been tearing it up. The 30-year-old Aussie’s on a hot streak with four straight wins in the Octagon. His latest victory was a lightning-fast 82-second knockout against Austen Lane at UFC 293 last September. Talk about making a statement.
Karl Williams isn’t someone to sleep on either. After shining on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, he’s racked up a 9-1 professional record. In the UFC, he’s 2-0, clinching decision wins over Lukasz Brzeski and Chase Sherman. The guy’s on a roll.
And the venue for all this action? The UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main event’s a flyweight showdown with Amanda Ribas facing off against Rose Namajunas. It’s shaping up to be one heck of a night.