LAS VEGAS – Karl Williams beat Justin Tafa with a unanimous decision Saturday in the UFC on ESPN 53 co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Williams, who won for the seventh straight time, six of which have been by decision.
Williams on the fight’s key moment
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 23: (R-L) Justin Tafa of New Zealand punches Karl Williams of the U.S. Virgin Islands in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“From what I bring to the table and what he brings to the table, I expected a standup striking battle. I expected some big swings and just duck under and take him down. There’s no sense to stand up there and strike with somebody like that. You see him knock people out. You see him just maul through people. If you stand up there and just try to go toe to toe with him – I’m not in a pissing match to see who can just bang, knock each other out. I’m trying to put on an MMA fight and a well-rounded fight and dominate.”
Williams on his mentality
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 23: (L-R) Karl Williams of the U.S. Virgin Islands punches Justin Tafa of New Zealand in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“I’m here for 15 minutes. I know I don’t get paid by the minute, but if I’m scheduled for 15, I’m going to work for 15. I’ll try to get you out of there, but if I don’t get you out, it’s 15 minutes of torture for you. … If you don’t get me out of there quick, we’re going to just have fun. We’re going to hang out for 15 minutes and it’s going to be torture.”
Williams on what he wants next
Karl Williams
“Whenever they call me (I’m ready). (I’m going to) ice up, go see the family and start back training. I’m always ready if they call me a couple of weeks from now.”
To hear more from Williams, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 53.