UFC veteran, Brad Tavares, Calls It Quits After Over a Decade with the Promotion
Score a Sweet Release
The MMA world bids adieu to seasoned middleweight fighter, Brad Tavares, who's parted ways with the UFC after the expiration of his contract. As Tavares ventures into uncharted territory, he leaves behind a storied career spanning an impressive 21 wins and 11 losses.
Aged 37, Tavares - with his Hawaiian heart and grit - squared off against elite opponents, including heavyweights like Chris Weidman, Derek Brunson, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker. He's now up for grabs on the market.
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🔍 The Deets:
Tavares, with a 16-10 UFC record, made history by tying Michael Bisping's record of most middleweight wins (16) in UFC history, following his unanimous decision win over Gerald Meerschaert in April 2025. Over the course of 15 passionate years, he racked up a phenomenal 26 bouts. However, he never managed to snag a performance bonus.
His triumphs in the octagon saw him take on formidable adversaries such as Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Dricus Du Plessis, and Yoel Romero, serving as a persistent gatekeeper.
Tavares was given the walking papers from the UFC on May 3, 2025 - possibly due to contractual disagreements and doubts about his drawing power, despite his resilience. As of now, he's kept his cards close to his chest, but rumors buzz that he might sign with organizations like PFL or Bellator. His label as a "game opponent" and his vast experience fighting against high-caliber opponents might attract interest from other promotions in need of seasoned depth.
Bookmakers around the world are speculating about Tavares' next move after his departure from the UFC, with possibilities of him joining PFL or Bellator due to his reputation as a "game opponent" and extensive experience against top-tier Middleweight fighters. Despite the setback of being released from the UFC, Tavares' recent unanimous decision win over Gerald Meerschaert equalized the Middleweight win record in UFC history with 16 victories, a feat previously achieved by Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. As Tavares dives into the free agent market, some fans are hopeful for a potential rematch with Israel Adesanya, a rivalry that was never fully realized in the UFC.
