Light heavyweights collide in the Land Down Under on Saturday, as Australia’s own Junior Tafa takes on Brazil’s Kevin Christian at UFC Perth.
Both fighters are coming off submission losses to Billy Elekana. Tafa (6–5, 2–5 UFC) tapped out to a second-round rear-naked choke in January, marking his second straight defeat. Two months prior, Christian (9–3, 0–1 UFC) fell to the same choke in the first round of his Octagon debut, halting a six-fight winning streak.
Tafa enters as a -205 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Christian sits as a +170 underdog. The total is set at O/U 1.5 rounds.
Tafa vs. Christian Preview
Junior Tafa
Junior Tafa’s UFC run has been a complete mess. The former kickboxer has gone 2–5 since his Octagon debut in April 2023, and he’s winless in two bouts since dropping to light heavyweight. Both defeats — against Tuco Tokkos last July and Billy Elekana in January — came by second-round submission.
While he’s only 29 and boasts a 100% knockout rate, “The Juggernaut” has been handcuffed by poor grappling and a shallow gas tank. With his UFC future potentially on the line, he’ll look to reverse his fortune with a statement performance in front of the hometown crowd.
Kevin Christian
Kevin Christian punched a ticket to MMA’s flagship promotion with a second-round submission of Francesco Mazzeo on Dana White’s Contender Series in September. It was his sixth straight win and preserved a 100% finish rate, including four knockouts, five tap-outs, and seven first-round stoppages.
That momentum quickly fizzled in his UFC debut in November, when he suffered a first-round submission loss to Elekana.
The Brazilian striker, 31, will look to bounce back Saturday night — and he’s seemingly equipped with the tools to do so. The LFA veteran stands a laughable 6-foot-7 with an 80-inch reach, and he’ll be looking to impose his nasty leg kicks and strong grappling in Saturday’s showdown.
Tafa vs. Christian Pick, Best Bet
There are several unanswered questions in life. Are we alone in the universe? Why do we dream? Why is Junior Tafa a -205 moneyline favorite?
The world may never know.
While Christian is still searching for his first UFC win, there’s little to suggest that Tafa holds an experience advantage in this bout. Add to that a towering height and reach advantage, and you’ve got the recipe for an upset victory over the beleaguered hometown favorite.
Best Bet: Kevin Christian Moneyline (+170)
- Lean: Kevin Christian by Submission (+400)
- Three of Tafa’s professional losses have come by submission, including back-to-back tap-outs heading into Saturday night.
