Justin Tafa and Tallison Teixeira meet Saturday on the UFC 312 main card at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 2-3
UFC main cards, 2024: 8-8
Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 preview
Tafa (7-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) will look to return to the win column following a unanimous decision loss to Karl Williams last March. Prior to that defeat, Tafa ripped through stoppages of Harry Hunsucker, Parker Porter and Austin Lane. … Teixeira (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) debuts in a big spot on a pay-per-view main card. The undefeated 25-year-old heavyweight stopped Arthur Lopes in his September Dana White’s Contender Series appearance to earn a UFC contract.
Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 expert pick, prediction
Despite having fights like Jack Jenkins vs. Gabriel Santos stuck on the prelims, the UFC matchmakers can’t help themselves when it comes to force-feeding us low-level heavyweights on main cards, but I digress.
In the fighters’ defense, both Tafa and Teixeira are at least action-oriented heavyweights – so hopefully we can avoid any slop fests.
Teixeira is one of the few Stefan Struve-esque heavyweights who will actually fight long, but the Brazilian’s defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Aside from Teixeira’s head being naturally strung up like a tetherball due to his height, the 25-year-old prospect has a tendency to rush follow fleeing foes and rush off of his successes.
For that reason, I’ll pick Tafa to score the knockout with a counter right hook in Round 1.
Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 odds
The oddsmaker and the public are slightly favoring the Brazilian fighter, listing Teixeira -142 and Tafa +116 via FanDuel.
Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira UFC 312 start time, how to watch
Tafa and Teixeira are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 11:20 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira prediction, pick, start time for UFC 312
