Justin Tafa says Austen Lane should’ve been DQ’d for eye poke, Lane responds
Justin Tafa thinks he should have gotten the win at UFC Jacksonville.
Tafa was set to take on UFC debutant Austen Lane on the main card on Saturday and in the opening seconds, both men landed some shots. Yet, just 29 seconds into the fight, Lane extended his hands and multiple fingers went into Tafa’s eye and the fight was called a No Contest due to it.
Yet, after the fight ended and Tafa got backstage, he showed a picture of his eye and believes it should have been a DQ.
I deserve my Win bonus that’s a DQ man pic.twitter.com/CMNdW0ZUtL
— Justin Tafa (@justin_tafa) June 24, 2023
“I deserve my win bonus that’s a DQ man,” Tafa wrote on Twitter.
The eye poke was a nasty one as multiple fingers got into Tafa’s eye and right away he turned away and held his eye and couldn’t open it. Although the result was disappointing for Justin Tafa, it also was for Austen Lane who took to social media to apologize to Tafa for the eye poke.
Justin Tafa… I apologize. Not how I wanted it to go down. That shit is on me and I hope your eye is alright.
To the city I call home. The energy you gave me as I was walking out will be something I’ll remember the rest of my life. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you show.
— Austen Lane (@A_Train_92) June 24, 2023
“Justin Tafa… I apologize. Not how I wanted it to go down. That shit is on me and I hope your eye is alright. To the city I call home. The energy you gave me as I was walking out will be something I’ll remember the rest of my life. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you show,” Lane wrote.
As of right now, it’s uncertain if Tafa suffered any major injuries or when he will be able to return to the cage. If he can get healthy soon, perhaps the UFC just rebooks this scrap as the bout barely took place.
Justin Tafa (6-3 and one No Contest) entered the fight coming off back-to-back knockout wins over Parker Porter and Harry Hunsucker. He is now 3-3 and one No Contest in the UFC and his other win is over Juan Adams by TKO.
Austen Lane (12-3 and one No Contest) entered his UFC Jacksonville fight making his promotional debut and was on a six-fight win streak.
