Middleweight
Brad Tavares
21-12-0 UFC 16-12-0
Hard To Take Down
Defensive Striker
6'1"Height
74"Reach
OrthodoxStance
38Age
2KO wins
0Sub wins
12.5%Finish rate
13:00Avg fight
Skill profile
striking
good
1 read
grappling
not yet read
wrestling
not yet read
cardio
good
1 read
durability
not yet read
Hard To Take Down
above avg td defense — rates 77 of 100 among UFC veterans
Defensive Striker
average striking d — rates 50 of 100 among UFC veterans
Career rates — the raw numbers behind the chart
Sig. strikes landed / min3.41
Sig. strikes absorbed / min3.32
Striking accuracy43.7%
Striking defense54.9%
Knockdowns / 15 min0.21
Takedowns / 15 min0.7
Takedown accuracy26.6%
Takedown defense80.3%
Sub attempts / 15 min0.0
Control time12.8%
Record vs .500+ opponents10-10
Insider info
Eryk Anders favored — picked against Brad Tavares coinflip UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Vallejos · March 8, 2026
strikinggood
cardiogood
Admits it's close enough that personal fondness for Anders is doing as much work as any clear stylistic read.
Tavares is probably the technically cleaner striker of the two, throwing crisper combinations and a good leg kick, and he's durable enough to survive a full three rounds. What he lacks is a finishing gear, since he doesn't press advantages the way you'd want when he hurts someone. His counter wrestling and takedown defense are solid, though he could still end up stuck against the cage against a grinder like Anders.
Strengthcleaner combinations
Strengthleg kick
Strengthdurability and cardio across three rounds
Strengthsolid takedown defense
Weaknesslacks a killer instinct to finish hurt opponents
Weaknesscan be walked down against the cage
Striking trend
Fight history
L Eryk Anders 17-9 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos · March 14, 2026
48/86Sig. strikes
35/84Absorbed
0/1Takedowns
0:29Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Robert Bryczek 17-6 walk-in KO/TKO · R3 1:43 — UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho · September 6, 2025
42/102Sig. strikes
68/138Absorbed
1/3Takedowns
1:22Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Gerald Meerschaert 37-18 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy · April 5, 2025
47/109Sig. strikes
38/83Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:01Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L JunYong Park 17-6 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira · October 12, 2024
65/149Sig. strikes
99/177Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:42Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Gregory Rodrigues 14-5 walk-in KO/TKO · R3 0:55 — UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer · February 10, 2024
37/84Sig. strikes
71/123Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Chris Weidman 15-6 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 292: Sterling vs. O'Malley · August 19, 2023
70/115Sig. strikes
37/92Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Bruno Silva 3-2 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 3:35 — UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes · April 22, 2023
15/64Sig. strikes
23/51Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Dricus Du Plessis 16-2 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier · July 2, 2022
82/150Sig. strikes
113/212Absorbed
0/1Takedowns
2:01Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Omari Akhmedov 18-5-1 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3 · July 10, 2021
84/150Sig. strikes
48/166Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:09Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Antonio Carlos Junior 10-4 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor · January 23, 2021
54/108Sig. strikes
34/103Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:05Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Edmen Shahbazyan 10-0 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 2:27 — UFC 244: Masvidal vs. Diaz · November 2, 2019
3/23Sig. strikes
14/38Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Israel Adesanya 13-0 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R5 5:00 — The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale · July 6, 2018
40/174Sig. strikes
119/215Absorbed
1/12Takedowns
2:05Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Krzysztof Jotko 19-3 walk-in KO/TKO · R3 2:16 — UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje · April 14, 2018
46/96Sig. strikes
24/74Absorbed
0/1Takedowns
2:33Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Thales Leites 27-7 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 216: Ferguson vs. Lee · October 7, 2017
70/136Sig. strikes
46/132Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
1:23Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Elias Theodorou 13-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale · July 7, 2017
31/71Sig. strikes
34/82Absorbed
1/3Takedowns
2:06Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Caio Magalhaes 9-2 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem · September 10, 2016
46/100Sig. strikes
26/81Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
2:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Robert Whittaker 13-4 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 0:44 — UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs Hunt · May 9, 2015
2/7Sig. strikes
10/14Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Nate Marquardt 33-13-2 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 182: Jones vs Cormier · January 3, 2015
50/119Sig. strikes
30/64Absorbed
1/1Takedowns
0:29Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Tim Boetsch 17-7 walk-in KO/TKO · R2 3:18 — UFC Fight Night: Bader vs Saint Preux · August 16, 2014
24/56Sig. strikes
14/28Absorbed
0/1Takedowns
4:19Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Yoel Romero 7-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC on FOX: Werdum vs Browne · April 19, 2014
21/70Sig. strikes
31/48Absorbed
0/3Takedowns
1:08Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Lorenz Larkin 14-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Philippou · January 15, 2014
45/112Sig. strikes
39/113Absorbed
2/9Takedowns
3:11Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Robert McDaniel 1-0 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Condit vs Kampmann 2 · August 28, 2013
30/79Sig. strikes
14/56Absorbed
0/1Takedowns
1:37Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Riki Fukuda 19-6 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC on FUEL TV: Silva vs. Stann · March 2, 2013
116/254Sig. strikes
69/172Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Tom Watson 0-0 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — UFC on FUEL TV: Struve vs Miocic · September 29, 2012
83/173Sig. strikes
65/127Absorbed
5/12Takedowns
5:25Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Dongi Yang 1-2 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC on FUEL TV: Korean Zombie vs Poirier · May 15, 2012
39/159Sig. strikes
32/83Absorbed
2/3Takedowns
2:18Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Aaron Simpson 9-2 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 132: Cruz vs Faber · July 2, 2011
13/33Sig. strikes
43/66Absorbed
1/4Takedowns
0:58Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Phil Baroni 13-12 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 4:20 — UFC 125: Resolution · January 1, 2011
22/31Sig. strikes
11/16Absorbed
0/3Takedowns
0:44Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Seth Baczynski 12-7 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs Team Ortiz Finale · June 19, 2010
18/34Sig. strikes
22/44Absorbed
3/6Takedowns
11:33Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Walk-in records count UFC bouts in this database. For the pre-UFC career, see the record breakdown below or the Tapology button up top.
Record breakdown
Wins by method
KO/TKO
5
Submission
2
Decision
14
Other
0
Losses by method
KO/TKO
6
Submission
0
Decision
6
Other
0
Fights by organization
UFC
28
X-1
2
Icon Sport
1
Niko Vitale Promotions
1
MMA Contenders Conflict
1
Full career — 33 fights, every organization
| Opponent | Method | Event | Org | Rd | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | Eryk Anders | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos
March 14, 2026 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Robert Bryczek | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho
September 6, 2025 |
UFC | 3 | 1:43 |
| W | Gerald Meerschaert | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Emmett vs. Murphy
April 5, 2025 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Park Jun-yong | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira
October 12, 2024 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Gregory Rodrigues | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer
February 10, 2024 |
UFC | 3 | 0:55 |
| W | Chris Weidman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 292
August 19, 2023 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Bruno Silva | TKO (knee and punch) | UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes
April 22, 2023 |
UFC | 1 | 3:35 |
| L | Dricus du Plessis | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 276
July 2, 2022 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Omari Akhmedov | Decision (split) | UFC 264
July 10, 2021 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Antônio Carlos Júnior | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 257
January 24, 2021 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Edmen Shahbazyan | KO (head kick) | UFC 244
November 2, 2019 |
UFC | 1 | 2:27 |
| L | Israel Adesanya | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale
July 6, 2018 |
UFC | 5 | 5:00 |
| W | Krzysztof Jotko | TKO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje
April 14, 2018 |
UFC | 3 | 2:16 |
| W | Thales Leites | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 216
October 7, 2017 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Elias Theodorou | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale
July 7, 2017 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Caio Magalhães | Decision (split) | UFC 203
September 10, 2016 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Robert Whittaker | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt
May 10, 2015 |
UFC | 1 | 0:44 |
| W | Nate Marquardt | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 182
January 3, 2015 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Tim Boetsch | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Saint Preux
August 16, 2014 |
UFC | 2 | 3:18 |
| L | Yoel Romero | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne
April 19, 2014 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Lorenz Larkin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou
January 15, 2014 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Robert McDaniel | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2
August 28, 2013 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Riki Fukuda | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann
March 3, 2013 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Tom Watson | Decision (split) | UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic
September 29, 2012 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Yang Dong-yi | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: The Korean Zombie vs. Poirier
May 15, 2012 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Aaron Simpson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 132
July 2, 2011 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Phil Baroni | KO (knees and punches) | UFC 125
January 1, 2011 |
UFC | 1 | 4:20 |
| W | Seth Baczynski | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale
June 19, 2010 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Jonathan João | TKO (punches) | X-1: Temple of Boom 4
March 7, 2009 |
X-1 | 1 | — |
| W | Joshua Ferreira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | X-1: Temple of Boom 1
September 27, 2008 |
X-1 | 2 | 2:28 |
| W | Devin Kauwe | TKO (punches) | Icon Sport: Hard Times
August 2, 2008 |
Icon Sport | 1 | 1:52 |
| W | John Ferrel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Niko Vitale Promotions: Local Pride
April 18, 2008 |
Niko Vitale Promotions | 1 | 0:18 |
| W | Thomas Sedano | TKO (punches) | MMA Contenders Conflict: The Beginning
June 29, 2007 |
MMA Contenders Conflict | 1 | 0:40 |
Career history from the fighter's Wikipedia record table (Brad Tavares) — results only, no strike stats; UFC bouts are marked and carry full stats in the fight history above.
Division context
Hero photo of Brad Tavares by MMAnytt · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons