Chris Barnett vs. Junior Tafa – Fight Preview & Analysis

UFC Fight Night 244: Royval vs. Taira is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. In this matchup on the fight card, Chris “Beastboy” Barnett will take on Junior “The Juggernaut” Tafa in the Heavyweight bout. You can view the complete UFC Fight Night 244 card.

Barnett brings a unique orthodox fighting stance with an 75″ reach. In contrast, Tafa, an orthodox fighter, stands with a 75″ reach. These variations in their styles can have a significant impact inside the Octagon.

With a 48% striking accuracy, Barnett has shown his precision in landing significant strikes, averaging around 4.41 per minute. On the other hand, Tafa boasts a 42% striking accuracy, landing approximately 1.67 significant strikes per minute.

In this post, we will break down Chris Barnett vs. Junior Tafa matchup. Let’s take a look at the fighter’s ages, their height, records, reach, fight stats, and more below ⤵

The 38-year-old, Chris Barnett is coming in with a 23-8-0 record. Barnett will be fighting for the first time since a win via KO/TKO against Jake Collier at UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson in September.

Tafa, meanwhile, is coming off a submission loss against Chris Barnett on September 10, 2022, at UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya and holds a 5-3-0 record.

Chris Barnett has a orthodox fighting stance with an 75″ reach. The 28-year-old Junior Tafa is an orthodox fighter with a 75″ reach. An orthodox fighter stands with their left side forward and jabs with their left hand. The southpaw fighter is the opposite. Southpaw stands with their right side forward and jabs with their right hand. In most cases, orthodox fighters are right-handed; if you are left-handed, you fight southpaw.

Chris Barnett stats

→ Barnett’s striking accuracy is 48%.
→ Barnett lands 4.41 significant strikes per minute.
→ Barnett’s takedown accuracy is 0%.
→ Barnett’s takedown average is 0 per 15 minutes.
→ Barnett’s takedown defense is 33%.

Barnett comes in with 48% striking accuracy, typically landing about 4.41 significant strikes every minute. Conversely, Tafa fires at 42% accuracy, landing about 1.67 significant strikes per minute. Chris Barnett also has a 0% takedown accuracy and, on average, gets around 0 takedowns every 15 minutes, compared to Tafa’s 0 takedowns and 73% takedown accuracy.

Junior Tafa stats

→ Tafa’s striking accuracy is 42%.
→ Tafa lands 1.67 significant strikes per minute.
→ Tafa’s takedown accuracy is 0%.
→ Tafa’s takedown average is 0 per 15 minutes.
→ Tafa’s takedown defense is 73%.

Junior spent, on average, 6:54 minutes in the Octagon, and Chris has an average fight time of 8:23 minutes.

Considering their records, fighting styles, and recent performances, this matchup looks to be an interesting clash of skills and strategies. Who will come out victorious, Chris or Junior? Sound off in the comments.

You can view the scheduled UFC Fight Night 244 fight card, upcoming UFC schedule 2024, and latest MMA news.