LAS VEGAS – Brad Tavares stands at the precipice of making UFC middleweight history.
This Saturday, during UFC Fight Night 269 held at the META Apex (Paramount+), Tavares (21-11 MMA, 16-11 UFC) is slated to face Eryk Anders in a clash featuring two enduring figures of the division. A victory for Tavares would crown him the all-time winningest middleweight in UFC history, breaking his current tie of 16 wins with ex-champion Michael Bisping.
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According to UFC Stats, Tavares currently holds several divisional records, including the most total fights (27), most decision victories (14), and the greatest accumulated fight time (5:49:18). Even with the chance to claim yet another top spot, Tavares is approaching his upcoming bout against Anders (17-9 MMA, 9-9 UFC) with his usual business-as-usual attitude.
During Wednesday’s media day, Tavares conveyed to reporters, “I’ve never been one to chase those types of things. I’ve always been competitive. That’s why I got into this. I’ve just always wanted to be better than the guy standing across from me. So, any record or accolade that I’ve compiled along the way, you know, I feel like it’s just because I’m blessed by God. He’s given me the ability, skillset, the longevity to be here and to do this.
He further added, “Don’t get me wrong, I fully intend to have it on Saturday, but it’s just moreso about going out there and beating Eryk. I’m not so concerned with having that record. That’s just a cool thing that comes with it.”
This will be Tavares’s inaugural fight of the year, subsequent to a third-round TKO defeat delivered by Robert Bryczek in September. Likewise, Anders aims to recover from his previous contest, an August first-round stoppage at the hands of Christian Leroy Duncan.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Brad Tavares ‘not so concerned’ with UFC middleweight history