UFC 293: Justin Tafa vs Austen Lane 09/09/2023 Fight Preview, Odds and Picks

UFC 293: Tafa vs Lane 09/09/2023 – Heavyweight fighters Justin Tafa and Austen Lane clash in a three-round encounter on Saturday, September 9 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The fight is part of the UFC 293 main card that is set to begin at 10:00 PM ET. MMA aficionados can watch the match proceedings at ESPN+ for US subscribers and TNT Sports for UK audiences. The match is also available via livestream at UFC Fight Pass.

Tafa and Lane look to secure a better result this time as they fought to a 29-second No Contest in their initial fight in June. The victory will also hand them more opportunities to raise their stock in the heavyweight ranks. Online UFC odds are already available for fans who look to secure a big payout while watching an exciting clash between two of the promotion’s big boys.

Tweets by ufc

Main Card

Justin Tafa

Tafa (6-3, 1 NC; 3-3, 1 NC UFC) was on a two-fight winning streak before receiving a No Contest verdict in his match against Lane. The fighter known as “Bad Man” registered one-round knockout wins over Harry Hunsucker and Parker Porter to secure a fight against Lane. Tafa and Lane were just sizing each other up when an accidental eye poke ended the proceedings in just 29 seconds of the first round. Tafa will come into the fight with a six-inch height and reach disadvantage as he will try to bulldoze his way to defeat the taller Lane.

Stats wise, “Bad Man” has registered six stoppage wins (all by knockout) in his career. He lost once via knockout and had two decision defeats. Tafa is a good striker with an average of 5.02 significant strikes landed per minute at a 54% accuracy rate. He needs to improve his defense against strikes as he has taken in 5.95 significant strikes per minute and a 49% proficiency rate. In terms of grappling, he has not yet connected on any takedown and submission attempts. But he has stopped all the takedowns launched against him.

Austen Lane

Lane (12-3, 1 NC; 0-0, 1 NC UFC) had an impressive fight record while competing in various MMA promotions. He fought twice in Dana White’s Contender Series and won over Richard Jacobi via technical knockout in September to secure a UFC deal. He made his debut in June against Tafa and ended via no contest. The fight was promising in Lane’s favor as he had landed three strikes in the first few seconds. All of a sudden, an accidental eye poke halted the proceedings and the officials decided to make it a “No Contest.” The decision placed both fighters in another matchup and they are determined to end this once and for all.

Lane will come into the fight with a six-inch height and reach advantage where he can use in striking Tafa from afar. The American had all of his wins via stoppage with 11 of them coming by way of knockout. He lost all of his bouts via knockout. Lane has averaged 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute at a 46% accuracy rate. He has defended 62% of the strikes attempted on him and has only absorbed 1.67 significant strikes per minute. Lane has not connected on any takedowns and submissions in his UFC career.