LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 10: Brad Tavares prepares to compete in a middleweight bout against Gregory Rodrigues of Brazil at the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jeff Bottari/Courtesy of Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Hawaii native Brad Tavares is scheduled to step into the Octagon for the 30th time of his professional career this weekend as the co-main event of UFC’s 60th card, which will be broadcast on ESPN.
Tavares, a Hilo native, will face Jun Young Park (17-6) in a 185-pound showdown. Tavares (20-9) will make history on Saturday when he fights for the 25th time at UFC since 2010, making him the all-time middleweight champion.
His 16th victory with the organization ties him with Michael Bisping for the most wins in the 185-pound division. Despite the accolades and records, Tavares has remained consistently motivated since day one.
“Look at our sport. Our sport is about fighting. You’re in a cage with another guy who’s trained to beat you. He wants to knock you unconscious. Whether it’s a knockout submission, breaking your arm, whatever it is, he wants to hurt you. So the way to do it has always been pretty simple,” Tavares said.
“I don’t want that to happen. I want him to do the same. I don’t want to go out there and embarrass myself. It’s not always going to be a good night. It’s not always going to be a good night. Sometimes you’re going to come up short, but I think that’s the purpose of fight camp, is to put in the effort.”
On Saturday, Tavares will join Max Holloway and BJ Penn as a Hawaiian fighter making his 25th appearance at UFC.
“At the end of the day there’s no question. I don’t just bring up all my records and achievements. Not everyone has done it or can’t do it, so it means something, but it’s not something I actively think about when I’m training. But when I start thinking about it like that, it’s like, this is a big achievement.”
“So it’s an honor to have my name up there with all those great people.”
The main card in Las Vegas is scheduled for 2 p.m. Hawaii time and will be broadcast on ESPN.
