Junior Tafa “The Juggernaut”
Light Heavyweight · ORCA rating 39/100 · peak 45 · Defensive specialist · 3–6 in 9 graded UFC bouts
ORCA analysis
At 39 (peak 45), Junior Tafa's ORCA rating ranks 57th of 67 active light heavyweights. The profile peaks in striking defence: 64, 19th of 67 active light heavyweights. The weak side is grappling offence, which grades 8, with control time, seconds per minute grading 1. 3 of 3 UFC wins came inside the distance (all by KO/TKO).
Grades
| Family | Grade | Light Heavyweight rank | Best reliable sub-grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striking offence | 44 | 51 of 67 | — |
| Striking defence | 64 | 19 of 67 | — |
| Grappling offence | 8 | 64 of 67 | Control time, seconds per minute 1 |
| Grappling defence | 36 | 60 of 67 | Takedowns conceded per 15 minutes 5 |
Strongest sub-grade: Takedowns conceded per 15 minutes 5. Weakest: Control time, seconds per minute 1.
Profile
- Division
- Light Heavyweight
- ORCA rating
- 39 (peak 45)
- Light Heavyweight rank
- 57 of 67 active
- UFC record
- 3–6
- Pro record
- 7–6
- Graded UFC bouts
- 9
- Style
- Defensive specialist
- Age
- 30
- Height
- 6′3″ (190 cm)
- Reach
- 75″ (190 cm)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Gym
- NTG Fight & Fitness
Career stats
- Significant strikes landed per minute: 3.65
- Significant strike accuracy: 52%
- Significant strikes absorbed per minute: 2.83
- Significant strike defence: 52%
- Takedowns landed per 15 minutes: 0
- Takedown accuracy: 0%
- Takedown defence: 72%
- Submission attempts per 15 minutes: 0
Next bout
- vs Quentin Pasley · UFC 335: Oliveira vs. Lopes · 2026-12-12
Fight history
- 2026-06-06 · L vs Iwo Baraniewski · KO/TKO · UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim
- 2026-05-02 · W vs Kevin Christian · KO/TKO · UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates
- 2026-01-31 · L vs Billy Elekana · Submission · UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2
- 2025-07-12 · L vs Tuco Tokkos · Submission · UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira
- 2024-10-12 · W vs Sean Sharaf · KO/TKO · UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira
- 2024-08-17 · L vs Valter Walker · Submission · UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya
- 2024-02-17 · L vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima · KO/TKO · UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria
- 2023-08-26 · W vs Parker Porter · KO/TKO · UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie
- 2023-04-22 · L vs Mohammed Usman · Decision - Unanimous · UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes
Similar Light Heavyweight fighters
- Anthony Smith · ORCA 42
- Tuco Tokkos · ORCA 40
- Paul Craig · ORCA 40
- Ozzy Diaz · ORCA 39
- Caio Machado · ORCA 38
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Full profile, grades and matchups · Light Heavyweight rankings · Upcoming cards