Tafa Transported To Hospital After Leg Injury

UFC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight Junior Tafa was taken to a Las Vegas hospital for precautionary reasons following UFC Vegas 118.

Tafa transported for a scan of his left leg after sustaining a potentially serious injury during his TKO loss to Iwo Baraniewski. Baraniewski landed a devastating kick to Tafa's left leg during the fight, and the Australian immediately collapsed to the canvas in visible pain. Baraniewski followed up with ground strikes before the referee halted the contest shortly after. Tafa was subsequently taken to hospital for imaging on the injured leg.

The injury arrives at a difficult moment for Tafa's 2026 ambitions. The 29-year-old had spoken during fight week about wanting to compete six times this year — an aggressive schedule for any fighter — and Saturday's third appearance of the year was meant to be part of that plan.

Depending on the severity of what the scan reveals, those targets may need to be significantly revised. Tafa is 3-6 inside the UFC across his Octagon career, with his three victories coming against Kevin Christian last month, Sean Sharaf, and Parker Porter.

Full Card

Gabriel Bonfim beat Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)

Brendan Allen beat Edmen Shahbazyan via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Tom Nolan beat Fares Ziam via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Bryce Mitchell beat Santiago Luna via submission (arm-triangle choke) (R3, 4:52)

Iwo Baraniewski beat Junior Tafa via TKO (strikes) (R1, 1:25)

Alessandro Costa beat Matt Schnell via TKO (strikes) (R1, 2:28)

Marcus McGhee beat John Yannis via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Edgar Chairez beat Bruno Silva via submission (rear-naked choke) (R1, 4:13)

Chelsea Chandler beat Priscila Cachoeira via submission (armbar) (R1, 3:42)

Joanderson Brito beat Jordan Leavitt via submission (ninja choke) (R1, 4:19)

Jeisla Chaves beat Yuneisy Duben via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

Ketlen Souza beat Ariane Carnelossi via KO (head kick and punches) (R1, 1:34)