Brad Tavares
USA
Takes battle of grizzled vets
Tavares defeated Gerald Meerschaert via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
In a battle between two guys born three days apart 37 years ago, Tavares displayed a significant edge in terms of both speed and power in the stand-up. Brad clearly isn't what he was earlier in his career, but Meerschaert's striking has been below-average for years, and Tavares was able to take advantage and easily bank two rounds. Gerald managed to make a little offensive headway in Round 3, but the damage was already done. A member of the UFC roster for the better part of the past 14 years, Tavares should continue to get notable fights as a well-respected member of the promotion.
In a battle between two guys born three days apart 37 years ago, Tavares displayed a significant edge in terms of both speed and power in the stand-up. Brad clearly isn't what he was earlier in his career, but Meerschaert's striking has been below-average for years, and Tavares was able to take advantage and easily bank two rounds. Gerald managed to make a little offensive headway in Round 3, but the damage was already done. A member of the UFC roster for the better part of the past 14 years, Tavares should continue to get notable fights as a well-respected member of the promotion.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Falls to 1-4 in past five fights
Tavares lost to Jun Yong Park via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
This seemed like a fairly easy fight to score, but that didn't stop one judge from offering a dissenting opinion. Tavares was effective for about a round before it all fell apart. His volume on the feet decreased significantly as the fight progressed. He appeared tired, and that allowed Park to lean on him over the course of the final ten minutes. One judge gave Tavares Round 2 despite the fact Park closed the frame with a 67-31 edge in significant strikes landed, in addition to scoring a takedown. It ended up not mattering. Tavares is most definitely on the back-nine of his career at age 36. He's 1-4 in his last five fights dating back to July 2022. Perhaps the company will offer him a retirement bout before deciding to part ways.
This seemed like a fairly easy fight to score, but that didn't stop one judge from offering a dissenting opinion. Tavares was effective for about a round before it all fell apart. His volume on the feet decreased significantly as the fight progressed. He appeared tired, and that allowed Park to lean on him over the course of the final ten minutes. One judge gave Tavares Round 2 despite the fact Park closed the frame with a 67-31 edge in significant strikes landed, in addition to scoring a takedown. It ended up not mattering. Tavares is most definitely on the back-nine of his career at age 36. He's 1-4 in his last five fights dating back to July 2022. Perhaps the company will offer him a retirement bout before deciding to part ways.
Park fight re-scheduled
Tavares is scheduled to compete against Jun Yong Park in a middleweight fight at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Tavares and Park were scheduled to compete at UFC Vegas 94 on July 20. But once Park withdrew from the event, the Tavares-Park was completely scrapped. Fortunately for them, they have re-scheduled it to a later date, giving Tavares another chance to avenge his February loss to Gregory Rodrigues by defeating Park.
Tavares and Park were scheduled to compete at UFC Vegas 94 on July 20. But once Park withdrew from the event, the Tavares-Park was completely scrapped. Fortunately for them, they have re-scheduled it to a later date, giving Tavares another chance to avenge his February loss to Gregory Rodrigues by defeating Park.
Upcoming fight off
Tavares is not fighting Jun Yong Park at UFC Vegas 94 on Saturday, according to Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Medical problems for Park have axed his upcoming fight with Tavares. Because of Park's withdrawal, Tavares is at risk of completing his 2024 without having won any fights.
Medical problems for Park have axed his upcoming fight with Tavares. Because of Park's withdrawal, Tavares is at risk of completing his 2024 without having won any fights.
Next fight scheduled
Tavares will face Jun Yong Park in a middleweight fight at UFC Vegas 94 on July 20, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Tavares will look to bounce back after suffering a loss against Gregory Rodrigues during his previous fight, making it five losses in his last eight bouts while earning three victories via decision.
Tavares will look to bounce back after suffering a loss against Gregory Rodrigues during his previous fight, making it five losses in his last eight bouts while earning three victories via decision.
Crushed by Gregory Rodrigues
Tavares lost to Gregory Rodrigues via TKO (punches) at 0:55 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Those expecting a back-and-forth slugfest here were largely rewarded. Tavares hung in for the better part of two rounds, but he simply has no stopping power in his hands at this stage of his career, and if one man was going to eventually crumble in this fight, it was clearly going to be Brad. He appeared to tire in an instant, and Rodrigues floored the gas pedal, piling up countless unanswered shots before referee Jason Herzog stepped in with a smart stoppage. Now 36 years old, Tavares is 3-5 in his past eight bouts. Three of the losses have come via knockout, while all three of the wins have come via decision. There's not much left here.
Those expecting a back-and-forth slugfest here were largely rewarded. Tavares hung in for the better part of two rounds, but he simply has no stopping power in his hands at this stage of his career, and if one man was going to eventually crumble in this fight, it was clearly going to be Brad. He appeared to tire in an instant, and Rodrigues floored the gas pedal, piling up countless unanswered shots before referee Jason Herzog stepped in with a smart stoppage. Now 36 years old, Tavares is 3-5 in his past eight bouts. Three of the losses have come via knockout, while all three of the wins have come via decision. There's not much left here.