UFC Light Heavyweight Tuco Tokcos conquered several obstacles in the middle of the fight at UFC Nashville.
UFC Nashville contained many highlight-reel finishes in every facet of mixed martial arts. From stunning knockouts to slick entries, the return from the UFC to Music City did not disappoint.
To start the UFC Nashville map, squared light heavyweights Tuco Tokkos and Junior Tafa in one of the wildest battles of the night.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Tuco Tokkos conquered disrupted shoulder, almost knockout to submit junior tafa
Tokkos had his way early in round 1 with its wrestling and slick grabs. He left the light heavyweight debutant Tafa frustrated by his octagonal control and wrestling power.
But Tafa found some momentum at the end of round 1 with a beautiful reversal followed by large ground and pounds when De Ronde concluded. Tokkos looked visibly exhausted when he walked back to his corner between the rounds.
While the second round started, Tafa continued to put his foot on the accelerator pedal with a cunning kickboxing arsenal. But Tokkos was able to resist the barrel of Tafa and to insure a large Takedown, so that the fight was ended with almost 8 minutes of control time.
While the second tapped in round 2, Tokkos closed the show with an arm-triangle choke.
Tuco Tokkos submits Junior Tafa to start the main map 😤 #ufcnashville pic.twister.com/laaz9tjlvu
– ESPN MMA (@ESPNMMA) July 13, 2025
It was an impressive, sandy version of Tokkos when he broke a recently two -foot loss Skid. But in his interview after the fight with Daniel Cormier, Tokkos revealed that he suffered on a medium dislocation at a certain moment during the game.
Despite the obstacle in the middle of the fight, Tokkos was able to catch Tafa in a nasty entry and start the UFC Nashville head card in style.
Tuco Tokkos adds to the end of Heavy Event on UFC Nashville
It was an eventful night in UFC Nashville with many breathtaking finishes in the Octagon. UFC Strawweight Prospect Fatima Kline kicked the action with a brutal main kick knockout on her 25th birthday.
UFC Heavyweight Valter Walker continued the interruption trend with his third consecutive heel hook entry on the UFC Nashville Prelims. UFC flying weight Lauren Murphy bravely fought despite a loss in her pension fight.
Tokkos returned to the profit column after recent losses to Navajo Stirling and Oumar Sy. Tafa made his debut at 205LB after the most of his career in heavyweight.
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