MMA Preview – Brad Tavares vs Jun Yong Park at UFC on ESPN 60
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BRAD TAVARES VS JUN YONG PARK FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 60? Saturday 20th July, 2024 - 23:00 (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 60? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 60? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC on ESPN 60 on? TNT Sports 2
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 60? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
BRAD TAVARES VS JUN YONG PARK LOWDOWN
The stalwart Brad Tavares (20-9) walks out for his 25th UFC fight. Inevitably, he is finding streaks harder to come by and is 1-3 in his last four. That dub is a unanimous decision against Chris Weidman (2023) which is not going strike fear into ranked middleweights. He lost a unanimous decision to Dricus du Plessis (2022) and got TKO’d by Bruno (2023) prior and is coming off the fifth knockout loss of his career which was handed out by Gregory Rodrigues (2024).
Jun Yong Park (17-6) was storming his way into the rankings after earning a split decision over Eryk Anders (2022) and submitting Joseph Holmes (2022), Denis Tiuliulin (2023) and Albert Duraev (2023). However, Andre Muniz (2023) halted the momentum with a split decision back in December at UFC Fight Night 233 denting his UFC record to 7-3.
BRAD TAVARES VS JUN YONG PARK PREDICTION
Both fighters are well-rounded although Park has the advantage in the grappling department. Tavares can wrestle, and although Muniz took Park down at will, he will be wise to try and keep the fight standing.
His durability has enabled him to hang with the best middleweights in the world although he has taken a lot of damage, and his chin is giving way. That said, he will not be impressed with Park’s knockout power and will back himself in the striking exchanges.
He has not knocked anyone out in six years so Park will also back himself on the feet which will create some feisty exchanges. Expect Park to constantly time takedown attempts hoping to pounce on the back for a submission.
We can see this being rather uneventful. Their knockout power is fading and Tavares has the takedown defence to keep this on the feet and force a lot of time in the clinch up against the cage.
We expect this to go to a decision with Park doing enough to convince the judges, but in a close contest like this, the underdog is worth a punt especially considering his experience.
Prediction: Park via Decision
Value Bet: Tavares via Decision
