Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker – Fight Preview & Analysis

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 17, 2024, in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. In this matchup on the fight card, Junior “The Juggernaut” Tafa will take on Valter “The Clean Monster” Walker in the Heavyweight bout. You can view the complete UFC 305 card.

Tafa brings a unique orthodox fighting stance with an 75″ reach. In contrast, Walker, an orthodox fighter, stands with a 78″ reach. These variations in their styles can have a significant impact inside the Octagon.

With a 40% striking accuracy, Tafa has shown his precision in landing significant strikes, averaging around 1.81 per minute. On the other hand, Walker boasts a 49% striking accuracy, landing approximately 2.2 significant strikes per minute.

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

The 28-year-old, Junior Tafa is coming in with a 5-2-0 record. Tafa will be fighting for the first time since a loss via KO/TKO against Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria in February.

Walker, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision loss against Junior Tafa on February 17, 2024, at UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2 and holds a 11-1-0 record.

Junior Tafa has a orthodox fighting stance with an 75″ reach. The 26-year-old Valter Walker is an orthodox fighter with a 78″ 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.

Junior Tafa stats

→ Tafa’s striking accuracy is 40%.
→ Tafa lands 1.81 significant strikes per minute.
→ Tafa’s takedown accuracy is 0%.
→ Tafa’s takedown average is 0 per 15 minutes.
→ Tafa’s takedown defense is 81%.

Tafa comes in with 40% striking accuracy, typically landing about 1.81 significant strikes every minute. Conversely, Walker fires at 49% accuracy, landing about 2.2 significant strikes per minute. Junior Tafa also has a 0% takedown accuracy and, on average, gets around 0 takedowns every 15 minutes, compared to Walker’s 4 takedowns and 0% takedown accuracy.

Valter Walker stats

→ Walker’s striking accuracy is 49%.
→ Walker lands 2.2 significant strikes per minute.
→ Walker’s takedown accuracy is 80%.
→ Walker’s takedown average is 4 per 15 minutes.
→ Walker’s takedown defense is 0%.

Valter spent, on average, 15:00 minutes in the Octagon, and Junior has an average fight time of 7:33 minutes.

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

You can view the scheduled UFC 305 fight card, upcoming UFC schedule 2024, and latest MMA news.