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The sharpest MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC Vegas 98 card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's event.
UFC Vegas 98 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
The sharpest MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC 305 card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's pay-per-view event.
The top MMA betting and DFS plays for this weekend's UFC Vegas 95 card are up, with breakdowns on betting and lineup strategy, as well as predictions for the entire event.
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Will face new opponent
Tafa will face Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight fight at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa was originally scheduled to challenge Chris Barnett but a hurricane in his hometown of Florida has forced him to pull out of this bout. The Juggernaut will face an undefeated fighter, Sean Sharaf, who has won all four of his fights.
Tafa was originally scheduled to challenge Chris Barnett but a hurricane in his hometown of Florida has forced him to pull out of this bout. The Juggernaut will face an undefeated fighter, Sean Sharaf, who has won all four of his fights.
Steps in to face Barnett
Tafa will replace Waldo Cortes-Acosta to face Chris Barnett at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tafa's most recent fight was on Aug. 17 against Valter Walker, where he lost in the first round via technical submission, but he's looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways before the end of the year. Tafa has been struggling lately, however, as he's lost back-to-back fights while dropping three of four dating back to April 2022.
Tafa's most recent fight was on Aug. 17 against Valter Walker, where he lost in the first round via technical submission, but he's looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways before the end of the year. Tafa has been struggling lately, however, as he's lost back-to-back fights while dropping three of four dating back to April 2022.
Taps out at UFC 305
Tafa lost to Valter Walker via technical submission (heel hook) at 4:56 of Round 1 at UFC 305 on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
This fight played out exactly how many expected. Tafa landed a few big blows early on, at which point Walker went to his grappling. Once he got Tafa to the mat, the bout was all but over. Junior actually hung around for a while on the ground before Walker rolled for a heel hook. Tafa began screaming out in pain and referee Steve Perceval stopped the fight, ruling the yelp a technical submission. A one-punch knockout artist with zero secondary skills, Tafa has lost back-to-back fights and three of four dating back to April 2022.
This fight played out exactly how many expected. Tafa landed a few big blows early on, at which point Walker went to his grappling. Once he got Tafa to the mat, the bout was all but over. Junior actually hung around for a while on the ground before Walker rolled for a heel hook. Tafa began screaming out in pain and referee Steve Perceval stopped the fight, ruling the yelp a technical submission. A one-punch knockout artist with zero secondary skills, Tafa has lost back-to-back fights and three of four dating back to April 2022.
Facing off in August
Tafa will fight Valter Walker at UFC 305 on August 17, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
With just three UFC fights to his name and the last win being in August of 2023, Tafa has much to prove in the octagon. Lucky for him, he'll take on a less seasoned UFC fighter in Walker, though both fighters are coming off a loss in the new year.
With just three UFC fights to his name and the last win being in August of 2023, Tafa has much to prove in the octagon. Lucky for him, he'll take on a less seasoned UFC fighter in Walker, though both fighters are coming off a loss in the new year.
Routed in late-notice bout
Tafa lost to Marcos Rogerio de Lima via TKO (strikes) at 1:14 of Round 2 at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
By now, most everyone knows the story here. Rogerio de Lima was due to face Tafa's brother, Justin, here. Justin withdrew literally yesterday, and Junior agreed to step in. The result, of course, is largely irrelevant given Tafa's willingness to "save" this fight. Junior was simply unable to defend a leg kick from his powerful opponent, and his big limb finally gave out on him early in Round 2. Tafa has a bout scheduled for late-March against Karl Williams, but it remains to be seen if he will be ready to go for that one after the beating he took here from Rogerio de Lima.
By now, most everyone knows the story here. Rogerio de Lima was due to face Tafa's brother, Justin, here. Justin withdrew literally yesterday, and Junior agreed to step in. The result, of course, is largely irrelevant given Tafa's willingness to "save" this fight. Junior was simply unable to defend a leg kick from his powerful opponent, and his big limb finally gave out on him early in Round 2. Tafa has a bout scheduled for late-March against Karl Williams, but it remains to be seen if he will be ready to go for that one after the beating he took here from Rogerio de Lima.