UFC 325: Junior Tafa vs Billy Elekana Preview & Prediction
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Billy Elekana makes the walk into enemy territory to take on Junior Tafa at 205 pounds in the closing frame of the prelims.
Junior Tafa vs Billy Elekana facts
What time are Junior Tafa and Billy Elekana expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 325? Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
Where can I get tickets for UFC 325? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 325
What TV channel is UFC 325 on? UK – TNT Sports Box Office / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC 325? UK – TNT Sports subscribers who have paid for the fight can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 main card
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (Featherweight)
Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight)
Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Teixeira (Heavyweight)
Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey (Lightweight)
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 prelims
Junior Tafa vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Cameron Rowston vs Cody Brundage (Middleweight)
Jacob Malkoun vs Torrez Finney (Middleweight)
Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott (Welterweight)
Kaan Ofli vs Yi Zha (Featherweight)
Kim Sang-wook vs Dom Mar Fan (Lightweight)
Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay (Featherweight)
Sulang Rangbo vs Lawrence Lui (Bantamweight)
Junior Tafa: "The Juggernaut" returns looking to banish the demons associated with a dismal performance last time out
The younger brother of power-punching Aussie, Justin Tafa, Junior Tafa (6-4) makes his first appearance since a calamitous drop down from heavyweight to 205 pounds last time out. Unfortunately, "The Juggernaught" didn't even make it to the final frame against Tuco Tokkos, bowing out by second round submission. Debuting in the promotion with a decision defeat to the notoriously limited Mohammed Usman, Tafa had crumbled every time he's come up against even vaguely decent heavyweights, getting finished by by the likes of Valter Walker and Marcos Rogerio de Lima. However, the loss to the 10-5 Tokkos has many questioning whether the heavy-handed brawler even deserves a spot in the promotion as of 2026.
Billy Elekana: Can the American score his third successive victory behind enemy lines?
A veteran of PFL and LFA prior to joining the UFC last year, Billy Elekana (9-2) makes the walk on Saturday riding a two fight win streak. "Son of Susie" endured a rough debut at the hands of Bogdan Guskov, losing at UFC 311 after getting caught in a nasty guillotine. However, he's since rebounded with wins over Ibo Aslan and Kevin Christian to right the ship somewhat, underlining his credentials as a middle of the pack level light heavyweight. A methodical, patient striker who utilizes a solid jab and well-timed counter shots, Elekana might not be the most aggressive light heavyweight on the roster, but his tool bag has proven deep enough to overcome low level competition.
Junior Tafa vs Billy Elekana prediction
Much like his elder brother, Tafa unquestionably has murderous power in his fists. Unfortunately, he also possesses the same Achilles heel as Justin; namely, he has borderline non-existent grappling skills.
Elekana isn't Damien Maia by any stretch of the imagination, but he's more than likely aware of the fact that if he can drag Tafa to the mat, he's almost certain to score a submission; why risk the chance of a fluke KO loss when there's a near certain path to victory? Tafa made Tuco Tokkos look like Charles Oliveira last time out.
Furthermore, Tafa is undoubtedly powerful, but it's not even like he's leagues ahead of Elekana on the feet; if anything, "Son of Susie" is arguably the more technical and dynamic striker. "The Juggernaught's" UFC knockouts have come over Parker Porter and Sean Sharaf; two of the lowest level heavyweights the promotion has seen in recent years.
Elekana might not be the most impressive light heavyweight on the roster, but Tafa has looked so bad throughout his promotional tenure that it's hard to escape the sensation that he wins this fight in virtually any manner he likes. The Aussie's power means that he's always a live dog, but the more likely outcome is that Elekana grounds and taps him with ease.
Prediction: Billy Elekana to win by submission
