Heavyweight Karl Williams says he’s still “learning on the job” after earning the biggest win of his career to date over Justin Tafa at UFC Vegas 89.
Whilst Williams is certainly no ‘spring chicken’ at 34 years old, the Contender Series alumni says he’s still a long way from his best after earning an impressive unanimous decision victory over Justin Tafa at UFC Vegas 89.
Williams improved to 10-1 with his decision win over Justin Tafa
After making his way to the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Karl Williams has now rattled off three consecutive victories in the octagon with the addition of last night’s defeat of Australian powerhouse Justin Tafa.
Tafa, who had his moments of danger when swinging for the fences early on, couldn’t withstand the grappling of Williams in rounds two and three; with the American winning 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 on the judges’ scorecards.
Williams has won all three of his UFC fights by way of unanimous decision and is currently riding a seven-fight win streak, yet the 10-1 heavyweight prospect says that he’s a long way from being at his best.
Karl Williams’ UFC future is all about rising to new challengers
Heavyweights tend to have an older ‘prime’ compared to other weight divisions, but Williams is already 34 years old, having only made his professional debut in 2021.
Whilst many less-experienced athletes would be looking to climb into the rankings as quickly as possible by taking risky or short-notice fights against bigger names, Williams noted that it’s all about getting the right challenge at the right time:
“I have my eyes set on getting better, challenging myself. Tafa was a different challenge, Chase Sherman was a different challenge, even Lukasz Brzeski was a different challenge – I went from kickboxer to boxer to a heavy Samoan killer. Each person I get is a step up in my wheelhouse of expertise and skill building.”
The 10-1 heavyweight also understands that even at 34, he remains a student of the game and that the most important aspect of his fledgling UFC career is to remain active:
“I feel good, I’m still learning on the job and I’m still new to the sport so I’m just happy with the performances and get back to the drawing board, back to work out here in Vegas, [and] build my skills”
“I’ll definitely be fighting again soon,” said Williams, adding “That’s the goal; to always be active and stay active – find that next challenge and rise.”
Williams called out Stipe Miocic for charity barbeque after UFC Vegas 89
Whilst Williams refused to call out any fighter by name for his next potential opponent, he did take the opportunity to challenge former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic to a rather unique competition.
Yet this wasn’t your typical challenge between two UFC athletes – Williams instead wants a charity barbeque competition against Miocic with proceeds going towards supporting firefighters:
“I want to call out, if I can, Stipe Miocic. He works at the Firehouse, and he said he’s going to be barbequing – he’s learning how to barbeque. So, this summer let’s do a charity cook-off, if he’s not busy you know he’s an important man, but if you got time.”
“Your Firehouse against me and my crew at a charity barbeque to help firefighters – so that’s my biggest thing,” said the now 10-1 heavyweight.