Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Justin Tafa prepares to fight Austen Lane (not pictured) during UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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What Happened To Justin Tafa? Why Did Justin Tafa Pull Out Of UFC Perth?

Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Justin Tafa prepares to fight Austen Lane (not pictured) during UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC has always been unpredictable, but UFC Perth is turning into a real headache for matchmakers. Justin Tafa’s sudden withdrawal has become the latest blow to an event that’s already struggling with poor ticket sales and multiple fighter pullouts. The New Zealand heavyweight was supposed to face Louie Sutherland on the main card, but he withdrew at the worst possible time during Friday’s official weigh-ins.

UFC Perth has been cursed from the start, with fighters dropping out left and right like dominoes. First, Junior Tafa (Justin’s brother) pulled out due to injury, then Oban Elliott withdrew, and now Justin Tafa joins the growing list of casualties. The promotion tried to salvage ticket sales by slashing prices dramatically, but even cheap seats couldn’t mask the fact that this card was falling apart. When the main selling points start disappearing, there is trouble.

What Happened To Justin Tafa?

Friday’s weigh-ins at UFC Perth told the whole story in dramatic fashion. Louie Sutherland stepped on the scales and hit 259 pounds perfectly. He was ready for his big UFC debut after successful runs in Bellator and PFL. The Australian veteran had even captured the Levels Fight League heavyweight title back in July, so this was his moment to shine on the biggest stage. But across the room, there was an empty spot where Justin Tafa should have been standing.

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The UFC officials kept things simple and vague in their announcement. They just said Tafa was off the card due to illness, without giving any details about what exactly was wrong. That’s pretty standard for the promotion. They don’t usually share medical information unless they have to. But the timing couldn’t have been worse for everyone involved. Sutherland had already made weight and was mentally prepared for his promotional debut. Meanwhile fans who bought tickets specifically to see the Tafa brothers were left disappointed.

The Tafa Family’s Rough Patch Continues

This withdrawal hits especially hard because the Tafa family has been dealing with a string of bad luck lately. Junior Tafa, Justin’s brother and fellow UFC heavyweight, had already pulled out of the same card due to injury. Having both brothers withdraw from the same event is very rare, and it really shows how unpredictable this sport can be. The brothers have been fan favorites in the heavyweight division, known for their exciting fighting styles and knockout power.

Justin Tafa has had his ups and downs in the UFC since joining the roster. He’s shown flashes of brilliance with his striking ability, but consistency has been an issue. This illness-related withdrawal adds another frustrating chapter to his UFC journey. Meanwhile, Louie Sutherland gets the short end of the stick here. He did everything right, made weight perfectly, and was ready to make his UFC debut. Now he will have to wait for another opportunity, which might not come around for months.But, he probably will get his show money though!

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Justin Tafa

Louie Sutherland

UFC Perth

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!