Introduction
Bradley Kaipo Sarbida Tavares (born December 21, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Tavares fought in local promotions before competing on the UFC's The Ultimate Fighter 11 in 2010.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Tavares started his MMA career in 2008 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 MMAD ran by the likes of Randy Leuder, Brandon Wolff (UFC), and Rob Hesia. He still returns home to Hawaii to train with MMAHQ when not training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
The Ultimate Fighter 11
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.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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 replaced by promotional newcomer Dustin Jacoby. Unfortunately, Tavares was pulled out of the newly made fight due to injury, setting up a fight between Jacoby and fellow UFC newcomer Clifford Starks.
Tavares fought Dongi Yang on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: 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. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, ending his five-fight win streak.
Tavares next faced Tim Boetsch on August 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 47. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round, marking the first time he had been stopped as a professional.
Tavares faced Nate Marquardt on January 3, 2015 at UFC 182. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Tavares faced Robert Whittaker on May 10, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Tavares was very briefly linked to a bout with Thales Leites on August 6, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 92. However, Tavares was forced out of the fight with a rib injury and replaced by Chris Camozzi.
Tavares returned to face Caio Magalhães on September 10, 2016 at UFC 203. He was awarded a split decision victory.
Tavares was expected to face Hector Lombard on January 28, 2017 at UFC on Fox 23. However, the bout was scrapped on January 10 due to undisclosed reasons.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 18 matches | 14 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 2 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 8 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 14–4 | Caio Magalhães | Decision (split) | UFC 203 | September 10, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 13–4 | Robert Whittaker | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt | May 10, 2015 | 1 | 0:44 | Adelaide, Australia | |
| Win | 13–3 | Nate Marquardt | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 182 | January 3, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Tim Boetsch | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux | August 16, 2014 | 2 | 3:18 | Bangor, Maine, United States | |
| Loss | 12–2 | Yoel Romero | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne | April 19, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Lorenz Larkin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou | January 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Duluth, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Robert McDaniel | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 | August 28, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Riki Fukuda | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann | March 3, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 9–1 | Tom Watson | Decision (split) | UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic | September 29, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Nottingham, England | |
| Win | 8–1 | Dongi Yang | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier | May 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Aaron Simpson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 132 | July 2, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Phil Baroni | KO (knees and punches) | UFC 125 | January 1, 2011 | 1 | 4:20 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Seth Baczynski | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale | June 19, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jonathan João | TKO (punches) | X-1: Temple of Boom 4 | March 7, 2009 | 1 | N/A | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Joshua Ferreira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | X-1: Temple of Boom 1 | September 27, 2008 | 2 | 2:28 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Devin Kauwe | TKO (punches) | Icon Sport: Hard Times | August 2, 2008 | 1 | 1:52 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | John Ferrel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Niko Vitale Promotions | April 18, 2008 | 1 | 0:18 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Thomas Sedano | TKO (punches) | MMAC: Conflict: The Beginning | June 29, 2007 | 1 | 0:40 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |