Why no-frills Aussie ditched his Bali holiday for UFC payday

Just a few weeks ago, Junior Tafa was kicking his feet up enjoying a few cold beers in Bali, celebrating a knockout victory on home soil in early-May.

This weekend, he’s back in the UFC octagon to face an undefeated opponent and there’s a clear “higher purpose” behind taking a bout on such short notice.

The 29-year-old Queenslander is a no-nonsense fighter and from all indications, he’s much the same away from the cage.

He’s fought a dozen times professionally, winning seven times but losing five - but every single one of those victories Tafa has knocked out his opponent, with the last of those coming in Perth last month against Kevin Christian.

The tough light-heavyweight has no issue throwing down, even if it means cutting a family holiday short to take up an opportunity on short notice this Sunday morning (AEST) against the unbeaten Iwo Baraniewski.

“I was in Bali on holidays with the kids, drinking Bintangs and eating steaks - then I got a call and they told me about it,” Tafa told nine.com.au this week.

“I agreed and said ‘yeah, I’ll fight him’ and got the contract two weeks ago, so then I was like, damn I’m actually fighting again. It’s very challenging to flip that switch. 

“But I’m feeling great, feeling excited and can’t wait to tape up and go to war.”

Asked what prompted him to step back into the proverbial lion’s den with such little hesitation on a month’s back-up, Tafa had a very simple reason.

“I just want to be busy this year,” he said.

“I don’t really care if people take notice of me, I just wanna get paid and pay my bills. My kids are getting older so I need to figure shit out a bit more.

“I just wanna stay busy and fight to make some money - obviously if you’ve got a belt around your waist you get more money, so that’s always the goal.

“I’m a prize fighter and that’s the main reason I do it. The higher purpose for me is I don’t just fight for myself, I fight for my kids so I can put food on the table and that’s the most important reason to fight for me.

“If I can be busy and put better food on the table for them, I’m happy.”

Tafa says he is at the stage of his life now where his main purpose is “to serve others” whether it be his family or his culture.

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He jumped on a Zoom call from Las Vegas days out from the fight wearing a Toa Samoa jersey and is proud of his Australian, New Zealand and Samoan roots.

But it’s the family aspect that has been such a huge part of Tafa’s journey and now, in his own words, his purpose for fighting in the UFC.

Tafa’s dedication to his two young kids and his partner have become paramount, but he has also spent the majority of his career alongside older brother Justin.

The pair have fought on the biggest stage together for the UFC, emulating the likes of Nick and Nate Diaz before them.

But with 33-year-old Justin taking a break and stepping away from the cage for the time being, it’s the younger sibling who is flying the flag for the family and said there was a bit of added motivation to succeed on his brother’s behalf.

“Yeah definitely [there is extra motivation], but you also can’t just put yourself out there to fight because of that reason either,” Junior said.

“We started fighting and training together at a young age, so to think we made it to the highest level of fighting for a top-tier promotion alongside each other, it’s definitely something we can brag to our kids and nieces and nephews about.

“My brother is on a break and healing up, but he’s in great shape at the moment.

“If the UFC called him, I guarantee you he would cause problems. He hasn’t stopped training, he’s just been doing family life - but we’ll see him back soon.”

As for this weekend, the younger Tafa will need to be on his A-game to give Polish rising star Baraniewski the first loss of his professional career.

And it’s the no-nonsense attitude Tafa carries that makes him dangerous, stepping in after only a four-week break since his last fight with nothing to lose.

“Someone told me before that he’s undefeated and I was like wow, that’s gonna have to change this weekend,” Tafa said. 

“I just did a few weeks of training at home, it’s all about making sure you go into the fight injury-free and don’t overtrain. I’ve just stayed relaxed and chilled.

“There’s only so much pressure you can put on yourself. I’ll just go in there, do the same shit and work to my strengths.”

Asked how the fight ends, Tafa is hoping to add an eighth KO to his record.

“Just a knee up the middle straight to his jaw, or maybe even a head kick,” he said.