MMA Match Preview: Brad Tavares (21-10) vs. Robert Bryczek (17-6)
Venue & Event Details
Event: UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs. Borralho
Bout: Brad Tavares (USA) vs. Robert Bryczek (Poland) – Middleweight (185 lbs)
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location: Accor Arena, Paris, France
Card Placement: Preliminary Card
Broadcast:
USA: ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass
UK: TNT Sports / discovery+
France: RMC Sport
Injury & Availability Report
Brad Tavares: No reported injuries; completed full camp in Las Vegas with Xtreme Couture.
Robert Bryczek: No reported injuries; camp split between Poland and Czech Republic (OKTAGON MMA affiliates).
Medical Suspensions: None entering fight week.
Fighter Profiles & Matchup Breakdown
Brad Tavares (21–10) – USA
Age: 37
Height/Reach: 6’1” / 74″ reach
Style: Technical kickboxer with strong takedown defense
UFC Record: 16–10 (debuted in 2010)
Key Strengths:
Veteran fight IQ and composure
Crisp jab and low kicks to manage range
79% takedown defense over UFC career
Recent Form:
W – Gerald Meerschaert (UD)
L – Jun Yong Park (SD)
L – Gregory Rodrigues (TKO R3)
W – Omari Akhmedov (SD)
L – Dricus du Plessis (UD)
Tactical Notes: Tavares thrives in measured, technical striking battles. He’s durable, but at 37, his output and speed are slightly diminished. Likely to look for a point-fighting approach, mixing in clinch control to slow Bryczek’s pace.
Robert Bryczek (17–6) – Poland
Age: 35
Height/Reach: 6’0” / 75″ reach
Style: Aggressive boxer-puncher with knockout power
UFC Record: 0–1 (loss to Ihor Potieria by UD)
Key Strengths:
11 career KO/TKO wins (65% finish rate)
Compact, powerful combinations in close range
Willing to pressure and trade in the pocket
Recent Form:
L – Ihor Potieria (UD) – UFC debut
W – Samuel Kristofic (KO R1) – OKTAGON MMA
W – Lee Chadwick (KO R1) – OKTAGON MMA
W – Ion Surdu (KO R1) – OKTAGON MMA
W – Mateusz Strzelczyk (KO R1) – Babilon MMA
Tactical Notes: Bryczek’s best chance is to force Tavares into exchanges, cut off the cage, and land heavy shots early. Cardio in later rounds is a question mark if he can’t secure an early finish.
Fight History & Context
First Meeting: This is their first professional bout.
Career Trajectories:
Tavares: Longtime UFC middleweight gatekeeper, testing rising prospects.
Bryczek: Former OKTAGON contender looking to secure his first UFC win after a tough debut.
Divisional Stakes: A win for Tavares keeps him relevant as a ranked gatekeeper; a win for Bryczek could fast-track him into bigger-name fights.
Betting Trends
Tavares: 7 of last 8 wins by decision; 4–1 in last 5 fights as a betting favorite.
Bryczek: 6 of last 7 wins by first-round KO/TKO; 0–1 in UFC with debut loss going the distance.
Paris Factor: European fighters have a 70% win rate at UFC Paris events since 2022.
FIGHT ODDS
Brad Tavares – 220
Robert Bryczek + 180
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
