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USA Today
3 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
09-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 312 results: Tallison Teixeira blitzes Justin Tafa to score 35-second debut TKO
The lone heavyweight fight of the UFC 312 main card delivered a fast finish. Making his UFC debut, undefeated Tallison Teixeira stepped into the octagon to face fellow hard-hitter Justin Tafa. The fight was the third on the pay-per-view main card at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, and only lasted 35 seconds. Teixeira (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) quickly brought the fight to Tafa (7-5 MMA, 4-5 UFC). The 6-goot-7 Brazilian initiated a takedown attempt, pushing New Zealand's Tafa into the fence. A couple of knees connected, and then a big right elbow sent Tafa crashing to the canvas. Teixeira added a few follow-up punches to prompt the referee to step in as Tafa turtled up on the ground. Xicao bringing the POWER 💥 Tallison Teixeira gets the TKO just 35 seconds into his UFC debut! #UFC312 — UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2025 Teixeira has yet to see Round 2 in his professional MMA career. He earned his way into the UFC after finishing Arthur Lopes in under two minutes at Dana White's Contender Series in September. He proved his speed and power is still effective on the big stage, and likely earned a Performance of the Night bonus in his debut. Tafa has dropped two straight. He entered this contest after a unanimous decision loss to Karl Williams last March, which came after a first round finish of Austen Lane at UFC 293. Up-to-the-minute UFC 312 results include: For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 312.
USA Today
08-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira prediction, pick, start time for UFC 312
Justin Tafa and Tallison Teixeira meet Saturday on the UFC 312 main card at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 2-3 UFC main cards, 2024: 8-8 Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 preview Tafa (7-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) will look to return to the win column following a unanimous decision loss to Karl Williams last March. Prior to that defeat, Tafa ripped through stoppages of Harry Hunsucker, Parker Porter and Austin Lane. … Teixeira (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) debuts in a big spot on a pay-per-view main card. The undefeated 25-year-old heavyweight stopped Arthur Lopes in his September Dana White's Contender Series appearance to earn a UFC contract. Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 expert pick, prediction Despite having fights like Jack Jenkins vs. Gabriel Santos stuck on the prelims, the UFC matchmakers can't help themselves when it comes to force-feeding us low-level heavyweights on main cards, but I digress. In the fighters' defense, both Tafa and Teixeira are at least action-oriented heavyweights – so hopefully we can avoid any slop fests. Teixeira is one of the few Stefan Struve-esque heavyweights who will actually fight long, but the Brazilian's defense leaves a lot to be desired. Aside from Teixeira's head being naturally strung up like a tetherball due to his height, the 25-year-old prospect has a tendency to rush follow fleeing foes and rush off of his successes. For that reason, I'll pick Tafa to score the knockout with a counter right hook in Round 1. Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 odds The oddsmaker and the public are slightly favoring the Brazilian fighter, listing Teixeira -142 and Tafa +116 via FanDuel. Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 start time, how to watch Tafa and Teixeira are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 11:20 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.
USA Today
08-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 312: Tafa vs. Teixeira odds, picks and predictions
Kevin Erickson USA TODAY Sports Hear this story In a 3-round heavyweight bout on the main card, Justin Tafa and Tallison Teixiera meet at UFC 312 Saturday at Qudos Banks Arena in Sydney, Australia. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC 312: Tafa vs. Teixeira odds, and make our expert picks and predictions. The early prelims begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (Disney+/ESPN+), with the prelims starting at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2 / Disney+ / ESPN+). The main card is on pay-per-view starting at 10 p.m. ET. Records: Tafa (7-4-0) | Teixeira (7-0-0) The Aussie Tafa will have an entire nation supporting him in this main card bout, but that might not be enough. He is looking to bounce back from a unanimous-decision loss to Karl Williams last time out in a fight night in March 2024. He is just 3-3-1 in his past 7 bouts. Tafa's last win was a Round 1 KO/TKO against Austen Lane at UFC 293. Expert Super Bowl picks: Unique betting insights only at USA TODAY. Teixeira is making his UFC debut after a Round 1 KO/TKO vs. Arthur Lopes in Dana White's Contender Series: Season 8, Week 6 in Sept. 2024. In the early portion of his MMA career, he has 6 straight KO/TKO wins, all in Round 1. He is a punching machine, but facing a veteran like Tafa is a big step up. Teixeira has a 9-inch reach advantage over the veteran Tafa, and he is 6 years younger than the southpaw. Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here. UFC 312: Tafa vs. Teixeira odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:35 p.m. ET. Fight result (2-way line) : Teixeira -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Tafa +125 (bet $100 to win $125) : Teixeira -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Tafa +125 (bet $100 to win $125) Over/Under : 1.5 rounds (Over +150 | Under -200) : 1.5 rounds (Over +150 | Under -200) Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +450 | No -800) UFC 312: Tafa vs. Teixeira picks and predictions TEIXEIRA (-150) is looking to burst onto the scene in his company debut. While it won't be easy against the Aussie veteran Tafa (+125) behind enemy lines, Teixeira is an impressive specimen. What's most impressive about the Brazilian debutante is his 9-inch reach advantage. You just don't see that much of a disparity. He'll literally be able to keep Tafa at arm's length, pushing and pulling the Aussie in and out at his discretion. That will allow him to pick and choose his spots for the big blow. TEIXEIRA BY KO/TKO OR DQ (-110) is worth a look in the method of victory section on the 7-way line. Under 1.5 Rounds (-200) is a little on the expensive side, costing you 2 times your potential return. No (-800): Will the fight go the distance? is an even worse play, costing 8 times your potential return. While going Under 1.5 Rounds may be OK to toss into a multi-leg parlay, the distance prop makes no sense anywhere. AVOID. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X andus on Facebook. More UFC MMA Betting Tips, Picks and Predictions! UFC 312: Zhang vs. Suarez odds, picks and predictions UFC 312: Du Plessis vs. Strickland odds, picks and predictions UFC Fight Night 250: Magomedov vs. Page odds, picks and predictions
