Australia’s Junior Tafa has admitted to being “legless” at a Bali beach bar when he agreed to the fight now serving as an entrée to the company’s hyped UFC White House blockbuster on June 15.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia from Las Vegas this week, Tafa also explained how one of his more famous old beer drinking buddies, American Justin Gaethje, is set to win the UFC Freedom 250 main event in a huge boilover.
UFC FREEDOM 250 | MONDAY 15 JUNE 10AM AEST | UFC Freedom 250 delivers a landmark night of fights from the White House, with Topuria vs Gaethje leading a stacked card celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
A genuine knockout artist from Logan, Queensland, 29-year-old Tafa is one of two Aussies competing on this Sunday’s UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas – which is headlined by former welterweight champ Belal Muhammad and Brazil’s Gabriel Bonfim.
The event also doubles as the final UFC show before all eyes move to Washington DC, and a $60 million blockbuster held outdoors on the South Lawn.
Fresh off a big finish only last month, Tafa has been given a huge test by UFC matchmakers in the shape of undefeated Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski (8-0).
Elsewhere, hyped Queensland prospect Tom Nolan – aka ‘Big Train’ – also looks to take his own current lightweight tear to five straight against France’s Fares Ziram.
Asked this week about his preparations for Sunday’s showdown however, and Tafa conceded camp has been “a bit rough”.
“Because I’ve taken the fight on two, three weeks’ notice,” he says.
“I was actually on holiday in Bali with my family, sinking some Bintangs, when the offer came in. I agreed to the fight without even seeing the contract.
“[Laughs] At the time, I was sitting at a beach bar and it was Bintangs, Long Island Ice Teas, mango daiquiris … then the phone call came … it was insane.
“At one point walking home, I had to look down at my feet and go ‘OK, let’s go … left, right, left, right’. So I can now say I understand the term legless.”
READ MORE
ULTIMATE GUIDE: How UFC at the White House will look… what happens if it rains… and which celebrities will be there
‘YOU’LL LEARN TOO’: What sparked cruel UFC sledge as feud explodes in bizarre family twist
REVEALED: How Volk scored better White House access than Rock, Brady as incredible pics emerge
Inside the UFC White House construction | 03:07
Wonderfully, Tafa also has a drinking story to go with the impending UFC White House card.
Now less than a fortnight away, work has already begun on the South Lawn for the historic fight card that will double as a celebration of all things America, and take place on the same evening President Donald Trump celebrates his 80th birthday.
In the main event, UFC megastar Ilia Topuira is a $1.14 TAB favourite to defend his UFC lightweight strap.
Challenger Justin Gaethje, meanwhile, has been wound out to almost six dollars.
“But I’m a big fan of Gaethje,” Tafa stressed.
“I actually sunk beer with him in Sydney a few years ago, too. So that guy is my man.
“And, look, I’m a massive fan of Ilia Topuria, too. How can you not be?
“But if there is anyone capable of beating him, I’d say it’s Gaethje. He just loves the chaos. Loves a war. I actually try to emulate his style when I fight myself.”
It was back in 2023 when Gaethje jetted into the Harbour City as a guest fighter for UFC 293 – which was headlined by the UFC championship bout between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
Tafa was also in town during fight week festivities given his brother, Justin, was throwing down against former NFL defensive end Austen Lane – a fight he would eventually win via first round KO.
“And at some point through the week, a couple of us [who weren’t fighting] caught up for beers,” Tafa recalled. “And I do remember I out skolled Gaethje at one point.”
Of course, while he may have a few fun drinking stories, Tafa has also worked incredibly hard to make this latest light heavyweight incarnation, with a picture juxtaposed against his old heavyweight self going viral last July.
DEBUT KO! Till vs. Chalmers: Highlights | 02:49
Tafa is also a fighter in every sense, having replaced older brother Justin on just 24 hours’ notice at UFC 298 – a US card also including Alex Volkanovski and Rob Whittaker – after his sibling was forced to withdraw, injured, on the morning of the weigh ins.
And despite taking this Sunday’s fight on only a few weeks’ notice, and after a few Bintangs, Tafa certainly got straight to work, having spent a chunk of his preparation training with Australia’s first UFC champ, Whittaker.
“And being such a big fan of Rob, it was hard to treat him as a competitor,” Tafa grinned. “But we were definitely able to get some good rounds in.
“It was great to get that time with such a great fighter and person, a guy who has also been such a great champion.
“That’s the first time we’ve worked together and they were great rounds.”
Asked how it feels being around UFC HQ in Las Vegas this week, especially with so much going on, Tafa continued: “The UFC guys are definitely going through a lot of stuff right now, a lot of stress.
“And to be over here in Las Vegas, it is crazy. Especially given where my team and I come from.
“Back home in Logan, there’s a saying that the bright lights of Las Vegas look better when you’ve earned them.
“And that’s how it is with us.
“But my crew, we know how to treat fight week.
“We like to stay away from all the noise. We hire an Air BnB out in the suburbs, just somewhere to chill with the boys and stay away from all that other stuff.”
And as for his undefeated Polish rival?
“Good on him,” Tafa shrugged. “Because he won’t be undefeated after this weekend.
“And all that sort of stuff, it’s outside noise. I don’t look into any of that.
“Plus, the UFC call me for one job. They like my style of fighting.
“They only recently gave me a new four-fight contract. I was quite shocked but I guess they must like my style, and the fact I will fight anyone.
“I’m a company man, I guess.
“Plus, fighting is simple … go in there and try to take the guy’s head off.”