The only heavyweight to fail the challenge with the scales, fighter explains what went wrong at UFC Vegas 45

J. Tafa in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

One day before the UFC Las Vegas 45, justin tafa made history for the company, but in a negative way. At the official weigh-in, held on Friday (17), the Australian shocked by becoming the first heavyweight fighter to fail to make his appointment on the scales. At 120,7kg, the fighter did not reach the established limit and was fined. At the press conference after the event, the athlete, who won the event, explained what happened.

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“For me, I usually get the same grants, so things work out. This week, I retained water, as I always do, but I didn't lose any weight. Normally, I lose 1,8kg. to 2,2kg. I knew it wouldn't be easy. I was in the sauna for 11, 12 hours and, until the moment I lost the last few grams, I thought: 'if I cut any more, I won't be able to fight'. The goal was to make history and that wasn’t the way I wanted it,” said the heavyweight.

The unusual failure within Ultimate happened in front of professionals, who, according to Tafa, closely followed his 'suffering'. The fighter then assured that he had come close to the final consequences to try to fulfill his obligation.

“I couldn’t take it anymore. Everyone was there. The professionals at the 'Performance Institute (PI) saw how hard I worked and wasn't succeeding. It was unprofessional of me and it won't happen again. I apologize to everyone involved, but Harry (Hunsucker, Justin's UFC Vegas rival) won the purse (percentage due to the Australian's failure). A few grams of disadvantage at heavyweight is not the same as it would be at featherweight (up to 65,7kg). We are heavyweights, after all, and he (Harry) won 30%, and will go home with a head injury and me, with my arm raised”, he concluded.

In the confrontation against Hunsucker, held on the preliminary card of UFC Vegas 45, Tafa scored a stunning knockout. The athlete obliterated his opponent with a fatal combination of blows, which took Harry to the canvas in the first round.