LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 11: (LR) Opponents Brad Tavares and South Korea’s Junyoung Park face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on October 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. do. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The co-main event of UFC Vegas 98 pitted Hawaiian middleweight Brad Tavares against South Korea’s Junyoung Park, and fans expected the fight to be summed up in one word: “Banger.”
Both had the ability to create explosive fights. The fight had also been in the works for some time, and was originally scheduled for July until Park experienced health issues at the weigh-in.
The match started with both men gauging each other for a moment before Park delivered a naked kick and ate a huge right hand. Tavares’ punch lands flush and puts Joon-young Park on the floor. Tavares was able to get behind his opponent, but was unable to find a submission. After a few seconds, both fighters stood up and Park started attacking. Park started walking Tavares with short boxing combos.
Tavares was able to fight back appropriately, but looked noticeably uncomfortable. Midway through the round, Park cornered Tavares against the cage and tried to slow down the pace of the fight by going for a takedown. After aiming for a takedown for about a minute, Park released the takedown. With 60 seconds left in the round, Tavares began landing more and more leg kicks on Park’s lead leg. The bout was stopped with 20 seconds left in the round due to claims that Park was poked in the eye. After a brief replay, the action resumed as Tavares actually grazed Park with a punch.
Starting the second round, Tavares quickly returned to leg kicks. Tavares landed a nice body kick and Park used it to slam him to the ground. Brad was able to get to his feet and the pace of the fight shifted to racing. Park continued a relentless short-range boxing attack against Tavares, who tried to defend using his legs and boxing. A back-and-forth gunfight.
A few minutes into the round, Park began targeting his opponent’s lead leg with leg kicks. The roles changed midway through the round, with Tavares moving towards the park and taking on an aggressive role with jab-driven boxing combinations. Tavares continued to walk his opponent down and pick up the pace, but was hit by numerous jabs from his opponent. The trend continued at the end of the round, with Tavares still trying to land that big combination just like he did at the start of the first round.
In the final round, Tavares threw hard and landed some big boxing combinations. Brad exchanged gunfire with Park Joon-young for a few seconds, then his body was shaken and he stumbled back into the cage. Park tried to find the right moment to perform a flying knee kick when his opponent bounced off the fence, but he missed. Park Joon Young was able to save the moment by grabbing a bodylock on the cage.
Both fighters struggled for about a minute, trying to get strategic position near the cage, until Park was able to score the decisive takedown. Brad protected his back and scooted toward the cage, hoping to get to his feet at the halfway point of the round. Park was partially on his opponent’s back, seizing the opportunity to land a few short blows while maintaining wrist control. Brad opted to roll onto his back, but Park seemed content to “play it safe” by pinning his opponent to the ground and landing short strikes to run out the time.
In his post-match speech, Park Joon-young took the time to say through an interpreter that he would like to fight a middleweight opponent in his next fight. He also said he would like a money fight if the UFC can’t make it happen.
Official result: Park Joon Young def. Brad Tavares, split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
