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Justin Tafa vs Valter Tokkos | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Teixeira | Full Fight Recap
🔥 Quick finish alert! In an action-packed heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Teixeira, Australia’s Justin Tafa squared off against the hard-hitting Valter Tokkos (Walker). From the opening seconds, both men came out swinging — but it was Tafa who landed the first and final blow.

đź’Ą Result: Justin Tafa wins via KO in Round 1
đź“… Event: UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Teixeira
📍 Venue: UFC APEX, Las Vegas

Tafa unleashed his signature power early, connecting with a vicious left hand that put Tokkos out cold. A statement win for the heavyweight slugger!

🎯 In This Video:

Full fight breakdown

Key moments and turning points

Tafa’s explosive finish in HD

Transcript
00:00John is a world-class fighter that's when all the people in the gym say down at Kilcliffe FC,
00:03they want him to show how good he is, that they know he can be.
00:06Yeah, and you referenced it, I mean, nearly a five-month camp not attended,
00:11but he's happy that it ended up being that way.
00:13He made a lot of sacrifices.
00:14He actually missed four funerals back in the UK during that period of time,
00:18including his grandmother and his aunt,
00:20was not able to go travel back because he didn't want to disrupt the focus
00:24that he's bringing into this fight.
00:25He said, you know, Kilcliffe, the masks are absolutely on fire.
00:28You know, RoboCop fought last week in a national fight with Brendan Allen coming next.
00:33Renard DeRitter's been in the gym.
00:34Everyone is on the same page at Kilcliffe,
00:37and he takes a lot of confidence from the success that he has in that room, DC.
00:41It is one of the best rooms that you're going to fight for.
00:44Yeah, those guys actually speak very highly of him, about his ability, his grappling, his wrestling, his striking.
00:50It's over on this martial arts game, but it's on him to go out there and prove it.
00:53Look, man, there are so many great prospects that come into fighting that don't quite pan out.
00:59And now it's on Tukos to get a victory.
01:01You've got to win at some point.
01:03And right now this is an opportunity because he's in there against a guy that does not grapple,
01:07a guy that does not wrestle.
01:08And he's got good footwork, he's got good kicks.
01:10He's got to use all of that, the stand switches, all of that to confuse Tafa
01:14and take him down to the floor.
01:17He's been in Florida for the last seven years.
01:19Brendan Allen getting ready for his fight next week in New Orleans.
01:22He's 318 in the corner tonight for Tuco Tocos.
01:25We've had a lot of fighters that have either made their debuts in a new weight class tonight
01:41who recently switched, and this will be one of them.
01:44We all knew Junior Tocos wanted to be a light heavyweight,
01:46but he kept getting opportunities and had just enough wins to keep going in the heavyweight division.
01:51But he's cut down.
01:52He's no longer an undersized guy in the heavyweight division.
01:55He figures to be a big tough test to deal with a long-ranging striker
01:59as he makes his 205-pound debut, D.C.
02:01Yeah, well, for Junior Tocos, and for a lot of fighters, right,
02:04when you're trying to make your way to the UFC,
02:07heavyweight at times can be easier.
02:09And I think that he kind of got stuck at heavyweight and stayed there.
02:12We saw that with Chris Curtis.
02:13He had success in the weight class, so he stayed there.
02:17But not that he's serious.
02:18Not that he's serious about his career.
02:20He's down at 205, would be a tent to stay there and do special things.
02:25This guy actually said that.
02:26He's Australian.
02:27He goes, I got into shape by just stopping drinking beer during fight camp.
02:40It's unbelievable.
02:41Can you imagine if it was actually that easy to see?
02:43Listen, Junior Tocos looks amazing down in light heavyweight.
02:47I mean, he posts the pictures on the ground with his abs popping.
02:49But the fact is, he was always undersized at heavyweight.
02:52And that really was to his detriment, particularly in the grappling exchanges,
02:56which are the moments where he struggled.
02:57He's got tremendous kickboxing experience.
03:00He was at one point ranked in the top five in the heavyweight division in glory kickboxing.
03:04And he looks to show that level of experience tonight.
03:07He looks like a different human being done.
03:09His stash looks good, though.
03:14Welcome back.
03:15Our first of six on the main car from Nashville, Tennessee, is at light heavyweight.
03:19Here's your tail on the tape.
03:20Junior Tocos, a betting favorite.
03:22Seven years younger than the veteran, Tucco Tocos.
03:24Tocos running taller.
03:25We highlight the new weight class for Junior Tocos, who makes his debut at light heavyweight tonight.
03:30He's just about the same.
03:32Setting the table inside the octagon tonight.
03:34Ladies and gentlemen, we are live!
03:46Long Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee!
03:51For USC 5'9", Lewis, what's this to share all?
03:57And now, this fight is three rounds in the UFC light heavyweight division.
04:04Introducing first, fighting out of the blue corner.
04:07A kickboxer, holding a professional record.
04:10Ten wins, five losses.
04:12He stands six feet towards his tall.
04:15Wearing in at 206 pounds.
04:17Fighting out of the blue beach for you by way of London, England.
04:23To Coyle Tocos!
04:30And now, introducing his opponent, fighting out of the red corner.
04:35A kickboxer, holding a professional record.
04:38Six wins, three losses.
04:40He stands six feet towards his tall.
04:42Wearing in at 206 pounds.
04:45Fighting out of the Brisbane, Australia!
04:49Junior, the Jogging North, Tocos!
04:57And when the action begins, the referee at charge, Eric McMahon.
05:01What about that on the block?
05:03Junior Tocos took off his jacket, gave it to a fan.
05:09Vanessa Hanson on hand with us here in Nashville.
05:10You're looking at light heavyweight Junior Tocos.
05:12You may not recognize him.
05:14One of many with mustaches in this town.
05:16That's a trend, I'll go.
05:17I tell you, there's a lot.
05:18I love that.
05:19I love that.
05:19I love that.
05:19The kids are little giants.
05:23Tocos is in right.
05:24Junior Tocos in black.
05:26This fight comes brought to you by Tom White,
05:27official for a sponsor of the UFC.
05:28Tocos long talked about dropping down
05:33to the light heavyweight division,
05:35but he kept getting opportunities at heavyweight.
05:39Test himself against.
05:41Made the moves.
05:42And Tocos has big power in his hands.
05:45He can shoot your lights on.
05:46Let's do this.
05:47Take it off.
05:48This is a big moment.
05:49Yep.
05:49This is good for Tocos.
05:50This is exactly where he said he wanted to fight.
05:54Tocos has struggled with the grappling in the past.
05:57Yeah, but, I mean, he got submitted
06:01by, uh, Volta Walker.
06:04I'm the find out.
06:05Volta has, Volta has crippled in for every, every week.
06:09No way, Tom has got to keep scooting.
06:11Nope.
06:12He allowed for scooping, securing.
06:15Keep lifting that bottom leg.
06:17If you're too, boom.
06:18Right there, now, feet on the hips.
06:20Feet on the hips to try to secure it.
06:23Keep the shot.
06:24Keep the shot.
06:24Strong start for Tocos, just over a minute in.
06:26Yeah, Tocos did a good job of staying high here.
06:29High ones in these situations.
06:31It's when Topic can get his, his head just above him.
06:34He'll start to stand up.
06:42Now, Topic.
06:43Topic's got half.
06:52Topic's another game down for Topic.
06:55That's not fair, that's good.
06:59Topic's still just in that single leg and he spills him again.
07:02Yeah, Topic's trying to go in and wrap, uh, wrap the pot.
07:05But he's got to get his right foot to the mat.
07:07Whenever he's doing that, try to push the head down.
07:09Right now, he's doing that, but just getting sat down as well.
07:14This coach just came brought to you by Cooler, both Brendan Allen, Sean Soriano,
07:17and the Hall of Famer Robbie Waller in two gold trophies corner.
07:21Yes, yes, yes, yes.
07:22Beautiful.
07:23Double under.
07:24Double under.
07:24Double.
07:25Come back.
07:25No, no, no.
07:26Unders.
07:26And this is exhausting for Topic.
07:28Yep.
07:29It's all right.
07:29Go get that single leg.
07:31Watch the single leg again.
07:32Watch the choke.
07:32Watch the choke.
07:33He's got a ninja choke.
07:37It goes back to some elbows.
07:39Just top him.
07:41Topic definitely needs to be mindful of his head placement.
07:43But like I said, DC, this is great for Topic to keep him controlled on the ground.
07:48The up-down cardio is absolutely exhausting.
07:51Especially for a big man, right?
07:53Yeah, he's a 205 now, but also getting it through.
07:56Like, how much did he have to change?
07:58How much did he use in the weight coach?
08:03Topic is posturing up a bit.
08:07He's got to make sure that he controls the knee line of Topic so he can't come back up.
08:12Good job of just making him carry his weight.
08:15Being heavy over the top of him and making him work.
08:21He's in my belt.
08:22All right, keep fighting.
08:23Keep fighting.
08:24Keep fighting.
08:24He said he's in his belt, but it just depends on his wrist.
08:40That's smart right there.
08:45Topic just needed to keep his hips down.
08:50He shifted him off to the top of him.
08:53Topic is on the heavyweight debut for Petrino next.
08:56Nate Landwehr fights at home.
08:5710 seconds.
08:58Oh, yeah, that's up front.
09:01Topic has done a good job of controlling the bottom wrist.
09:04Topic's got to be very mindful here.
09:06That's a lot of the free that left hand.
09:07Topic is doing a good job of using this grappling, man.
09:34Out of the glove.
09:35Out of the glove.
09:36Just like you said earlier, TC, staying heavy, staying high.
09:39I mean, this is absolutely exhausting if you're Topic.
09:41Trying to build and then you get broken down again.
09:43You try to build and then you get broken down again.
09:47Topic able to last.
09:49And he'll have some ground and power.
09:50In the final seconds of the round.
09:53Second round.
09:54Topic.
09:55Topic.
09:56He's going to be ready.
10:04Sit down.
10:05Let's breathe.
10:06Catch a breath.
10:06Hey.
10:07Don't need some water.
10:08Go ahead.
10:08I've got to.
10:09I've got to.
10:09I've got to.
10:10I think they'll speak.
10:11Okay?
10:12But that's fine.
10:13I've got to.
10:13Now they're listening.
10:16Breathe.
10:17Breathe.
10:22Yeah?
10:22Hey.
10:23When you're going against the cage like that, you're having to sit and he wants to go to total.
10:26I need you to stay behind his car.
10:28And when he's still sitting, keep capturing that leg.
10:30He can't kill him when you capture that leg and you haven't extended.
10:32Stay fast.
10:36You're good, bro.
10:37You're good.
10:37You understand me?
10:38Stay fast.
10:38Don't worry about that.
10:39Don't worry about that.
10:40We've got a new round.
10:40Let's get him down.
10:41Yeah?
10:41Two of the USC's most iconic stars collide next week in New Orleans at USC 318.
11:00And Justin Poirier for the final time.
11:03Expecting him is welcome.
11:04In the French corner as he faces longtime rival Max Holloway.
11:07With a BMF title.
11:08Special offer.
11:09$10 off if you order the pay-per-view by Monday.
11:12Topper needs to keep him with his back against the afterthought side.
11:15Oh!
11:16Topper with a big swing.
11:19His crimmel to the ground.
11:23Topper turns it.
11:24Topper's around two.
11:25And now Topper's in survival mode.
11:28Topper needs to let him go.
11:29Topper should let him go.
11:30There it is.
11:31That's Topper's off.
11:32Topper's got to answer the battle.
11:34And he does.
11:36On what he likes.
11:37I think Topper's is tired.
11:39Oh, my problem.
11:40You know what he does.
11:41So that's exhausting for him.
11:44Oh, wow.
11:45Topper.
11:45Trying to tie the huge uppercut.
11:47Topper's in.
11:49And now as his hands locks.
11:51Oh, he got it again.
11:52To the ground.
11:52Huge for Topper's.
11:54Absolutely huge for Topper's.
11:56He took the race.
11:57Blowing that flying kick.
11:58It paid off.
11:59Because he had to figure out how to close the distance.
12:00And he's like crazy power.
12:05On the back.
12:06You can see five takedowns already for Tokos.
12:08It's kind of crazy.
12:09Because Tokos is making a lot of mistakes in the grappling and in the wrestling.
12:12And Topper just isn't all versatile to take advantage.
12:15Oh, look.
12:20And Topper can do another wrong leg distance.
12:22He can't not allow Topper back to his feet.
12:28Topper appears the wrong arm from under his chin.
12:31But it was the next step.
12:32Tokos doing a good job to keep him there.
12:34It was the moment he got his back to the fence.
12:37He needs to make it a point.
12:38Topper I'm talking to stay in the center.
12:41I think he's also very tired, even though he's the one on top right now.
12:53He's exhausted, Laura.
12:59I've got to put together some lights.
13:02And a lot of ground ground here.
13:04Topper winded as well.
13:05Looking for a door.
13:06Beautiful wrist grab from the far side by Topper.
13:09Long away he can't.
13:10Every time Topper posts his arms to try to blow the base, he attacks that inside wrist grab.
13:18And now he's riding the leg and the wrist.
13:21Probably some trouble here.
13:24He plays through the ramp.
13:26He's got a dominant position up top.
13:28Looking for a potential head and arm, but he's not going to have to space to finish that.
13:32Put both shoulders on the mat for Topper, importantly for Tokos.
13:37Watch those fingers in the eyes.
13:43And that's perfect for Tokos.
13:45If you don't have the energy and you don't want to blow your gas for a big shot,
13:49just those little elbows, little grinding elbows against the face
13:52can keep this position from becoming too stale and gain you points as you stay here.
13:57And sometimes if they can't defend, they all have to be giant, powerful shots.
14:04And this one started for me for me.
14:06When he's worked his way back into the arm, now he's a hit.
14:10And he's moving.
14:12Topper just covers his core.
14:13He's got a move.
14:13He's hitting.
14:16He's going to kick up.
14:17Look at him.
14:18Oh, now he's gone.
14:20He doesn't have to be able.
14:24But he's going to drop him back on his back.
14:26Wait, you can go to the bottom.
14:33Controls the one rest, not two-on-one.
14:37Just over a minute to go.
14:51Go on, Patokos.
14:54Time to choke.
14:56Now he steps on him.
14:59Now he's going to get that all the way.
15:03He's going to be...
15:03He's going to be...
15:04He's going to be...
15:04He's going to be...
15:05He's going to be...
15:05He's going to be...
15:05He's going to be...
15:06He's going to be...
15:07A career moment for Tuko Tokos.
15:11We've got a submission in round two.
15:13The results he's been waiting for.
15:20Executed the game plan perfectly.
15:22If you know Tuko Tokos, you feel really happy for the spot that he has right now.
15:28He's been chasing it for a long time.
15:30He's been a mainstay at Tiltcliffe FC.
15:32Seven years on the mats in Florida.
15:35And his UFC win comes tonight.
15:37Now for a look at tonight's Blazer knockout moment.
15:39Brought to you by Buffalo Wild Wings.
15:41Steady pressure leads to the finish, Laura.
15:43Yeah, it was a slow grinding approach from Tokos.
15:46Able to get Tafa to the ground here.
15:48And he just did a tremendous job of staying tight, staying sticky, and staying heavy.
15:52And then when the moment presented itself, was able to wrap up this beautiful arm triangle.
15:57Got off to the side.
15:58Blocked the hip of Tafa.
16:00And it was only a matter of time and a matter of squeeze.
16:02Beautifully done by Tuko Tokos.
16:05You can see the tap here from Tafa.
16:11What he does so well here is just shuts down the angle.
16:15But the arm of Tafa is what is allowing him to survive.
16:18And as soon as you close that space and shut that space down, that's when you know the choke is in.
16:22Blocked the hip.
16:23Beautifully done.
16:24Look how happy he's been.
16:25He's been the best friends for a long time.
16:28So he feels good for himself.
16:30Tuko Tokos.
16:32We'll make it official coming up next.

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