Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Brad Tavares
No event in MMA is bigger than a Conor McGregor fight weekend, but does Chris Olson think he can win the trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier? Chris breaks down strategies for five different platforms.
With six-figure prize pools up for grabs at UFC 264 this weekend, Drake runs down each fight on the card, offering fighter breakdowns and DFS-specific implications.
The most anticipated card of 2021 returns in front of a live audience in Las Vegas, as Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier settle the score in their trilogy fight. Jon Litterine breaks it down on DraftKings.
The future of multiple divisions is at stake Saturday in Las Vegas, as middleweight contender Jack Hermansson looks to get back in the title picture. Jon Litterine breaks it down on DraftKings.
We may have lost a few fights early Friday morning, but Chris Olson still has a pair of bets worth considering for UFC 257 on Saturday.
More Fantasy News
Barely gets by Omari Akhmedov
Tavares defeated Omari Akhmedov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 264 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
He had to work for it, but this was a fight that Tavares deserved to win. He landed the bigger shots throughout the course of the bout, in addition to connecting on 88 total strikes compared to just 50 from Akhmedov. Tavares also stuffed 7-of-9 takedown attempts for good measure. Tavares has battled through consistency issues throughout his 11-year UFC run, but he looks like a fringe top-ten middleweight if you catch him on the right night. Tavares is 6-3 in his past nine bouts, with the defeats coming against current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya, former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker, and top prospect Edmen Shahbazyan.
He had to work for it, but this was a fight that Tavares deserved to win. He landed the bigger shots throughout the course of the bout, in addition to connecting on 88 total strikes compared to just 50 from Akhmedov. Tavares also stuffed 7-of-9 takedown attempts for good measure. Tavares has battled through consistency issues throughout his 11-year UFC run, but he looks like a fringe top-ten middleweight if you catch him on the right night. Tavares is 6-3 in his past nine bouts, with the defeats coming against current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya, former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker, and top prospect Edmen Shahbazyan.
Added to July 10 card
Tavares will take on Omari Akhmedov in a middleweight fight at the UFC's July 10 event, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Tavares returned from injury back in January to earn a win over Antonio Carlos Junior. Currently sitting at 5-3 in his last eight bouts, dating back to May of 2015, Tavares will look to start stringing together a couple of wins.
Tavares returned from injury back in January to earn a win over Antonio Carlos Junior. Currently sitting at 5-3 in his last eight bouts, dating back to May of 2015, Tavares will look to start stringing together a couple of wins.
Rebounds in Abu Dhabi
Tavares defeated Antonio Carlos Junior via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 257 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
In a battle of two fighters coming off knee injuries, Tavares showed off his all-around game to secure the win. His takedown defense was on point the entire night, as he stuffed 11-of-12 attempts from Carlos Junior. Offensively, Tavares was in a pretty good rhythm for a good portion of the bout. He may have very well earned a knockout win in the later stages of Round 2 following a huge shot that floored Carlos Junior, but a follow up strike connected with the groin of the Brazilian and and referee Marc Goddard correctly deemed the shot a foul and gave Carlos Junior time to recover. Tavares has been one of the more underrated middleweights on the UFC roster for years, but he's never been able to get over the hump. He's 5-3 in his past eight fates dating back to May 2015, with those setbacks coming against current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya, former champion Robert Whittaker, and top prospect Edmen Shahbazyan.
In a battle of two fighters coming off knee injuries, Tavares showed off his all-around game to secure the win. His takedown defense was on point the entire night, as he stuffed 11-of-12 attempts from Carlos Junior. Offensively, Tavares was in a pretty good rhythm for a good portion of the bout. He may have very well earned a knockout win in the later stages of Round 2 following a huge shot that floored Carlos Junior, but a follow up strike connected with the groin of the Brazilian and and referee Marc Goddard correctly deemed the shot a foul and gave Carlos Junior time to recover. Tavares has been one of the more underrated middleweights on the UFC roster for years, but he's never been able to get over the hump. He's 5-3 in his past eight fates dating back to May 2015, with those setbacks coming against current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya, former champion Robert Whittaker, and top prospect Edmen Shahbazyan.
Returning at UFC 257
Tavares (knee) will take on Antonio Carlos Junior (knee) in a middleweight bout at UFC 257 on Jan. 23, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Tavares was slated to face Carlos Junior in March, but he was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. Carlos Junior also underwent surgery on a torn ACL in January, and both fighters will be making their return at UFC 257. Tavares has been defeated in his last two fights, most recently losing to Edmen Shahbazyan via KO (high kick) at UFC 244 in November of 2019. Carlos Junior is also coming off two consecutive losses. He was most recently defeated by Uriah Hall via split decision at UFC Vancouver in September of 2019. Carlos Junior has advantages in both height and reach.
Tavares was slated to face Carlos Junior in March, but he was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. Carlos Junior also underwent surgery on a torn ACL in January, and both fighters will be making their return at UFC 257. Tavares has been defeated in his last two fights, most recently losing to Edmen Shahbazyan via KO (high kick) at UFC 244 in November of 2019. Carlos Junior is also coming off two consecutive losses. He was most recently defeated by Uriah Hall via split decision at UFC Vancouver in September of 2019. Carlos Junior has advantages in both height and reach.
Removed from UFC Brasilia card
Tavares was removed from his scheduled fight at UFC Brasilia with a reported knee injury, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 32-year-old was looking to snap a two-fight skid against Antonio Carlos Junior at UFC Brasilia, but he won't be able to appear with an apparent knee injury. The exact nature and severity of the injury is unclear, but Tavares will be forced to miss more time after a selective fight schedule in recent years.
The 32-year-old was looking to snap a two-fight skid against Antonio Carlos Junior at UFC Brasilia, but he won't be able to appear with an apparent knee injury. The exact nature and severity of the injury is unclear, but Tavares will be forced to miss more time after a selective fight schedule in recent years.