Two veterans of mixed martial arts clash together in Vegas in a Middleweight bout on the main card of UFC Fight Night 222. American Brad Tavares has been fighting as a professional since 2007, while the Brazilian Bruno Silva turned pro in 2010. UFC Fight Night 22 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is available on ESPN+.
MMA: UFC Middleweight
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
Where to watch: ESPN+
Date: 23.4.2023, 04:30
Brad Tavares
The American debuted in the UFC in 2010 after a stellar career in regional promotions in his home state of Hawaii. He has amassed a lot of records in the promotion, including the most decision wins in UFC Middleweight division history, most decision bouts in UFC Middleweight division history, and second most wins in UFC Middleweight history. The 35-year-old has fought all the notable names in the division, including losses to Israel Adesanya, Robert Whitaker, and Yoel Romero. He is 2-1 in his last three fights, with a decision loss to Dricus du Plessis last July. Overall, Brad Tavares is 13-7 in the UFC.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 35
- Height: 5’ 11”
- Reach: 74”
- Record: 19-7
Tavares is the kind of fight I like, because I know there’s a dangerous guy in front of me. I rise to the occasion in that kind of situation. I feel good. I’ll do my best to win. I really believe it will be a great fight. My focus this time is not to put on a show but to beat him in any way possible: knockout, submission or on points. I will fight like never before, and this time, it will be for me, for everything I’ve been through. I will give myself this gift. It’s going to be a war.
Bruno Silva
Although Bruno Silva turned pro in 2010, he didn’t arrive in the UFC until 2019. Taking a circuitous route that included the Russian scene and the M-1 Global Middleweight Championship, the Brazilian made an impressive start to his UFC career with three consecutive wins and two performance bonuses. Alex Pereira stopped his winning streak in March last year. A second loss followed a few months later to Gerald Meerschaert via guillotine choke in August—the 33-year-old trains at the Evolucao Thai Academy in Curitiba, Brazil.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 33
- Height: 6’ 0”
- Reach: 74”
- Record: 19-7
My last fight was horrible. I fought very badly. I underestimated my opponent. I was very mentally tired, as I’d had five fights in 14 months. Nothing worked. I wanted it to end soon and wanted to go home. It was literally a bad day at work that I want to erase from my memory. Unfortunately, it happened. Credit goes to him. He beat me.
Betting Odds
Brad Tavares is the bookies favorite at 1.58 odds on Bet365. Bruno Silva to win is priced at 2.40 odds. Over 2.5 rounds is available on 1XBET at 1.85 odds. Fight to go the distance is priced at 2.07 odds on Coinplay.
