Justin Tafa Eye Injury, What Happened to Justin Tafa?
by Swetha P | Updated Jun 25, 2023
Who is Justin Tafa?
Justin Tafa, born on December 13, 1993, is a professional mixed martial artist representing both New Zealand and Australia. He competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which is renowned for showcasing some of the most elite fighters in the world. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Tafa comes from a proud Samoan heritage. Growing up in the Avondale suburb of West Auckland, he was exposed to combat sports from an early age due to his family's background in the field.
Tafa's grandfather was a national boxing champion, and his three brothers have also pursued professional fighting careers. Notably, his brother Junior Tafa, a former Glory heavyweight kickboxer, has now ventured into the UFC's Heavyweight division as well. With his family's legacy and his own dedication to the sport, Tafa has made a name for himself in the MMA world, competing against formidable opponents on the biggest stage in the industry.
What Happened to Justin Tafa?
During a recent UFC bout against Austen Lane, Justin Tafa endured an unfortunate eye poke, leading to a short-lived and disappointing fight. The incident occurred a mere 30 seconds into the match when Lane, a former NFL player making his UFC debut, accidentally poked Tafa in the eye while attempting to create distance after an exchange of punches.
The excruciating pain was immediate for Tafa, prompting him to inform the doctor that the vision in his right eye was compromised. In adherence to UFC regulations, Tafa was granted a five-minute recovery period to assess any improvement in his vision. Regrettably, Tafa struggled to see out of his affected eye throughout the allotted time.
His eye remained difficult to open, and blood began to trickle from the affected area. The ringside doctor examined Tafa, and the swelling of his lower eyelid intensified. Referee Dan Miragliotta had no choice but to halt the fight with less than a minute remaining in the recovery period, ultimately rendering the match a no-contest. It was undoubtedly a disheartening turn of events for both fighters and spectators alike.
Justin Tafa Eye Injury
In a bout against Austen Lane, Justin Tafa encountered an unfortunate eye injury caused by an accidental eye poke. Lane, a former NFL player making his UFC debut, unintentionally poked Tafa's eye while attempting to create space during an exchange of punches. The eye poke immediately caused intense pain for Tafa, prompting him to inform the doctor that his right eye's vision was impaired.
Although Tafa was granted up to five minutes to recover and assess any improvement in his vision, his affected eye did not regain sight throughout the allotted time. The eye remained challenging to open, and blood began to trickle from the area. The ringside doctor examined Tafa's eye, and his lower eyelid gradually swelled.
With less than a minute remaining in the recovery period, referee Dan Miragliotta was compelled to halt the fight. Consequently, the bout was declared a no contest, as the eye poke was deemed an accidental occurrence. This turn of events left everyone involved disheartened, as the fight was cut short due to an unforeseen injury.
NZ Heavyweight Justin Tafa Suffers Eye Injury
During his recent UFC bout against Austen Lane, New Zealand heavyweight Justin Tafa suffered an unfortunate eye injury. The incident took place when Lane inadvertently poked Tafa in the eyes with his outstretched hand while attempting to create distance during a punch exchange. Tafa immediately experienced severe pain and informed the doctor that his right eye's vision was impaired.
Following UFC regulations, Tafa was granted up to five minutes to recover and assess any improvement in his vision. However, his affected eye did not show signs of improvement during this period. It remained challenging for Tafa to open the eye, and blood started to drip from the injured area. The ringside doctor examined Tafa, and his lower eyelid began to swell.
Referee Dan Miragliotta, with less than a minute remaining in the recovery period, made the difficult decision to stop the fight. Consequently, the bout was declared a no contest due to the accidental eye poke. This injury left Tafa disappointed, as he was unable to continue the fight. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by professional mixed martial artists in the Octagon.
What Happened to Justin Tafa? - FAQs
Justin Tafa is a professional mixed martial artist from New Zealand and Australia who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
In a recent UFC bout against Austen Lane, Justin Tafa experienced an unfortunate eye poke, resulting in a short-lived fight.
Justin Tafa's eye injury was caused by an accidental eye poke from Austen Lane during their UFC bout.
According to UFC rules, Tafa was given up to five minutes to recover and assess if his vision improved.
No, Tafa couldn't see out of his right eye from the beginning of the recovery period. His eye was difficult to open, and blood started to drip from the area.
The extent of Tafa's injury is yet to be determined, but he will aim for a quick recovery to participate in the UFC event in Sydney, scheduled for September.