Brad Tavares

Bradley Kaipo Sarbida Tavares, born on December 21, 1987, in Kailua, Hawaii, embarked on his professional mixed martial arts journey in 2007. Prior to his MMA career, Tavares excelled in high school athletics at Waiakea High School, participating in football and track and field. He also worked as a ramp agent for Hawaiian Airlines. His early career in Hawaii saw him accumulate a record of 5-0, with three technical knockouts and two submission wins. He trained with Universal Combat Sports and later with Mixed Martial Arts Development (MMAD), a team that included Randy Leuder, Brandon Wolff, and Rob Hesia. Tavares continues to return to Hawaii to train with HQ MMA when not at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.

Tavares gained significant recognition in 2010 when he participated in The Ultimate Fighter 11. During the show, he defeated Jordan Smith, James Hammortree, and advanced to the semi-finals via disqualification against Seth Baczynski, before suffering his first professional loss to Court McGee. His official UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale saw him secure a unanimous decision victory against Seth Baczynski. Since then, Tavares has built a substantial career in the UFC Middleweight division, setting multiple records including tied for most wins (16), most bouts (27), most fight time (5:49:18), and most decision wins (14) in the division’s history. He has faced and defeated notable opponents such as Nate Marquardt, Elias Theodorou, and Chris Weidman throughout his career.

Throughout his extensive career, Tavares has consistently demonstrated a resilient fighting style, primarily relying on striking and strong decision-making in the octagon. He is known for his consistent performances and ability to endure tough fights, contributing to his records for most fight time and decision wins. Tavares has continued to compete at a high level, re-signing with the UFC in 2025 after a brief period of uncertainty regarding his roster status, showcasing his enduring commitment to the sport.