Justin “Bad Man” Tafa has his next fight set with the powerful heavyweight set to take on Brazilian Raphael Pessoa.
The bout was officially confirmed by the promotion for ‘UFC Island’ on July 26 (AEST) in Abu Dhabi in what will be a busy time for the organisers as they attempt to hold four events on Yas Island in the space of a fortnight.
Australian based Tafa (4-1) didn’t have the best of UFC debuts back in October when he was stopped by Yorgan De Castro inside the opening round at UFC 243 but the 26-year-old rebounded in February with a stoppage against Juan Adams in the first round.
Much like Tara, Brazil’s Raphael Pessoa (10-1) also had a disappointing UFC debut as he suffered his first career loss, tapping to an arm-triangle submission from Ciryl Gane in August last year. The 31-year-old who trains out of Team New Corpore, the 31-year-old had a much-improved outing in the second fight, securing a unanimous decision versus Jeff Hughes in October.
Both fighters will be looking to build on their last outing and secure the position in the UFC.
The event will be headlined by former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker who will take on Darren Till.
Justin Tafa knocked out in UFC debut by Yorgan De Castro at UFC 243
