Brad Tavares

Brad Tavares (born December 21, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist.

Tavares currently competes in the middleweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

A professional since 2007, Tavares fought in local promotions before joining the UFC's The Ultimate Fighter 11 in 2010.

Tavares excelled in high school athletics at Waiakea High School competing in football and in track and field.

After high school, he worked as a ramp agent for Hawaiian Airlines.

He was 19 when he first fought as a professional.

Tavares started his MMA career in 2007 in his home state of Hawaii, compiling a record of 5–0, with three technical knockouts and two submission wins.

He originally started training with Universal Combat Sports in Pearl City, Hawaii, where he competed In Got Skills, then fought his first MMA match in Farrington High School in Kalihi where he got a first Round K.O, there he got approached by MMAD to train there, MMAD (Mixed Martial Arts Development) ran by the likes of Randy Leuder, Brandon Wolff (UFC), and Rob Hesia.

He still returns home to Hawaii to train with HQ MMA when not training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.

In March 2010, Tavares was announced as part of the eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter.

In the elimination round, Tavares defeated Jordan Smith via KO (knee) after less than a minute.

He was selected fifth by Team Liddell and tenth overall.

Tavares then defeated James Hammortree in the second preliminary fight.

After two rounds, the fight was declared a draw and the fighters went to a third round.

Tavares took control in the third round and was declared the winner, advancing him into the quarter finals.

In the quarter-finals, Tavares fought Seth Baczynski.

As the first round ended, Baczynski threw an illegal soccer kick to the head of Tavares.

Baczynski immediately apologized, knowing he could have seriously hurt Tavares, who went to his corner and slumped.

After discussing the matter with the doctors, Herb Dean stopped the fight and Tavares was declared the winner by disqualification, advancing him to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, Tavares faced teammate Court McGee, for a place in the live final.

After a fairly even first two rounds, Tavares was rocked late in the third.

McGee then locked in a rear naked choke, handing Tavares his first loss.

At The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale, Tavares had a rematch with Seth Baczynski.

Tavares defeated Baczynski via unanimous decision.

Tavares next faced UFC veteran Phil Baroni on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125.

He won the fight via KO in the first round.

Tavares faced Aaron Simpson on July 2, 2011, at UFC 132, replacing Jason Miller, who was removed from the card.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Tavares was expected to face Tim Credeur on October 29, 2011, at UFC 137.

However, Creduer was forced out of the bout, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Dustin Jacoby.

Unfortunately, Tavares was pulled out of the newly made fight due to an injury, setting up a fight between Jacoby and fellow UFC newcomer Clifford Starks.

Tavares fought Yang Dongi on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: The Korean Zombie vs. Poirier.

Tavares won a closely contested fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).

Tavares next defeated former BAMMA middleweight champion and UFC newcomer Tom Watson via split decision on at UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic.

Tavares faced Riki Fukuda on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8 and won via unanimous decision.

Tavares faced Robert McDaniel on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Tavares faced Lorenz Larkin on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Tavares faced Yoel Romero at UFC on Fox 11.