Image credit: Getty Images
Fight fans saw some familiar names on the preliminary card for UFC Vegas 71.
Othman. applause.
Even the most casual fan can draw conclusions to the fact that he’s a heavyweight Muhammad “The Engine” Osman is associated with Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman. (Mohamed is the younger brother of the longtime welterweight champion.)
But it may take a more experienced person to realize this Junior “Juggernaut” Tava He is the younger brother of the UFC veteran Justin “Bad Man” Tapa.
Battle of the half-brothers
While the older siblings have been introduced to UFC fight fans, the younger siblings are looking to make a name for themselves on Saturday night. This heavyweight clash of half-brothers might be the most explosive fight of the night.
Tafa said in a Tweet Fighting Week. “If I don’t fire him, it doesn’t matter. If a decision is made, it won’t count.”
Usman and Tava are two of the most promising stars in the division, both in the early stages of their UFC careers.
keep the engine running
Usman, who boasts an 8-2 record, is making his second official UFC appearance after going undefeated Zak Bauga August 2022 to win season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter. He also fought Osman Eduardo Perez And Mitchell seb For unanimous decision victories in TUF exhibition bouts.
Before moving to the UFC, Usman lost Brandon Sayles by naked asphyxiation in his only PFL appearance. Osman was a perfect 4-0 in his time with Titan FC from 2019 to 2020. His only other loss – a unanimous decision setback – came to Don’Tale “Lord Kong” Mayes At Victory Fighting Championship 60 in 2018.
Juggernaut has arrived
Tava, who is a perfect 4-0 with four knockouts since transitioning to MMA after a successful Glory Kickboxing career, will make his UFC debut.
Tava, who once hilariously claimed his right hand was “made of sleeping pills,” is also a close friend and training partner of the UFC legend. Mark Huntwho recruits Tava for his entourage after seeing the young man in a provincial martial display.
Since his second consecutive kickboxing loss in 2019, Tava has won seven straight fights across kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA. After tonight’s competition, Tava told the media that he plans to move up to light heavyweight for his next fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Osman beats Tafa
Unanimously on Muhammad Othman!
Make the decision on Junior Tava here at #UFCVegas71 prelims pic.twitter.com/DeMbUggqkd
– UFC (UFC) April 22, 2023
In fifteen minutes, it will be Usman who will raise his hands in triumph in the heavyweight meet. The unanimous decision win (29-28, 3x) propelled Usman to a career-high 9-2, securing two straight UFC victories while Tafa failed to find success in his debut in the Octagon.