Williams vs Tafa Prediction: Unparalleled Aussie Power
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Grant Young
Even though the UFC on ESPN 53 event this will be taking place at a nearly empty Apex arena in Las Vegas, our Williams vs Tafa prediction is that fans who are tuning in on TV will be on their feet by the time this fight is over — which might not take very long.
Whenever two striking-centric heavyweights face off in the UFC octagon, a knockout is usually the result. When it's one of the Tafa brothers throwing hands, however, somebody is destined to go to sleep.
And while Karl Williams was initially supposed to fight Justin Tafa's brother, our Karl Williams vs Justin Tafa prediction is that one warrior will still have a rough night at the office.
UFC on ESPN 53: Williams vs Tafa Prediction
Karl Williams Preview
Ever since entering the UFC in 2022, off of Dana White's Contender Series, Karl Williams — a fighter out of the US Virgin Islands with a 9-1 professional record, which includes three KO victories — has cemented himself as a top-tier heavyweight prospect in the UFC.
While striking might be his bread and butter, our Williams vs Tafa prediction is that Karl Williams would be wise to utilize his grappling in this upcoming fight.
It appears that Williams will be the much better grappler compared to Tafa — and considering the otherworldly power that Tafa possesses, the clearest path to victory for Williams would be to try and take Tafa down, soften him up via ground and pound, and perhaps even earn a submission victory.
But will he want to stand and bang with Tafa? Only time will tell.
Justin Tafa Preview
The last time we saw Justin “Bad Man” Tafa — an Australian fighter with a 7-3 professional record, which includes seven KO victories — in the octagon was when he knocked out Austen Lane in the first round of their fight at UFC 293 back in September 2023.
There's no doubt about what Tafa is looking to do when he enters the octagon against any opponent: knock them out. And considering that every one of his professional MMA victories have come by way of KO, it's easy to see why Tafa is so confident in his hands.
That being said, our Karl Williams vs Justin Tafa prediction is that Williams won't make it so easy for Tafa to stand and trade. Tafa will have to work harder than ever to find angles and let his hands go.
Karl Williams vs Justin Tafa: Brutal Blows By Tafa
Our official Williams vs Tafa prediction is that Justin Tafa will win this fight by knockout.
Given that Tafa — who is currently a +154 underdog on the moneyline — has the distinct power advantage in a division that prioritizes striking, we believe that will be enough for Tafa to emerge victorious.
Not to mention that five of Tafa's seven KO's have come in the first round. Therefore, we think taking the Under 1.5 rounds — currently available at +130 — very well may be a winning bet.
Regardless of whoever gets their hand raised on Saturday, this heavyweight bout is must-see.
Grant Young is a sports writer from San Francisco. He has had two professional Muay Thai fights: he got knocked out in one, and got a knockout in the other. When it comes to his favorite fighters, it's Israel Adesanya, and then it's everyone else.