UFC 293: Justin Tafa on his bond with former NRL hard man and ‘hood hero’ Manu Ma’u ahead of Austen Lane fight

Justin Tafa grew up idolising former Parramatta Eel Manu Ma’u – and despite switching hit-ups for knockouts, he’s still determined to be a role model for the next generation.

Justin Tafa wasn’t allowed to wear a Warriors hat to his UFC 293 media conference this week, but the heavyweight knockout artist is right on the “Up the Wahs” bandwagon as the NRL finals kick off this weekend.

Tafa was asked to either tape over the Warriors logo, turn the hat around, or take it off to comply with strict rules forbidding sporting team logos during official UFC media events.

The Auckland-born heavyweight is close with a few members of the squad, and is hoping it’s the Warriors’ year, despite being a longtime Eels fan.

Tafa, who fights former NFL defensive end Austen Lane at UFC 293 in Sydney this weekend, has former Eels hard man Manu Ma’u to thank for his Parra devotion.

Ma’u was a hero to kids in the area when Tafa was an aspiring footy player at Marist Saints in Auckland more than a decade ago.

“He was older than me, and he was the man at my junior club – everyone knew him,” Tafa told this masthead. “He was the hood hero.

“He was the guy in the top side that everyone was like, ‘I want to play like that guy’, but everyone knew he couldn’t fly.”

Manu Ma’u played 155 NRL games for Parramatta and represented New Zealand and Tonga. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The problem was Ma’u’s criminal past.

In 2007, the Aucklander was involved in a gang-related, alcohol-fuelled brawl and wound up serving 22 months in prison.

He played reserve grade for the Warriors’ feeder team, the Vulcans, but the Australian immigration department refused to issue him a visa, so he was restricted to playing home games.

By 2014, a reformed 25-year-old Ma’u was finally allowed to enter Australia and signed with Parramatta.

“Once he got that clearance to play overseas, me and a bunch of the boys all said we’d support Parra,” Tafa says. “He made it out.

“He was that beacon of light to show the younger guys that there are other ways to make it.”

Tafa has been a Parra fan ever since, despite having a soft spot for the Warriors, knowing a few of the Broncos boys and spending time in the Melbourne Storm set-up.

Tafa wasn't allowed to wear his Warriors hat to media day this week. Picture: Brendan Bradford

“Right now I’m backing the Wahs,” he says. “I’m loving watching them be successful, especially after those hard years of Covid.

“I know some of the boys personally and it really affected them, so it’s good to see them doing well.

“But as a Parra supporter, I’m still a bit disappointed about the season – missing out on the top eight after making the Grand Final last year.

“I like what Parra’s about, they beat the Panthers twice this year and can beat anyone on their day. But they can lose to anyone too.”

Tafa had initially planned on following Ma’u into rugby league, but lost his passion for the game while in the Storm system.

And despite switching hit-ups for knockouts, he’s still determined to be a role model for the next generation.

Tafa talks to UFC host Megan Olivi at Wednesday’s open workouts. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

“I always go back to my roots, my junior club, and talk with the boys,” he said. “Some of the older dudes say, ‘These kids are good, but some of them are a bit lost right now’.

“I just share what I can with them. It’s just about having a dig, and turning that stone.

“If you don’t make it, then you don’t make it, but at least you’ll know. Don’t be that guy 10 years from now telling your kids you didn’t make it because you didn’t turn that stone.”

Tafa’s fight with former Jacksonville Jaguars player Lane is a rematch of their short-lived first encounter in June.

The fight ended after Lane landed one of the worst eye-pokes in UFC history, leaving Tafa fearing he could lose his eyesight.

The 29-year-old has regained 20/20 vision, and is looking to finish what he started three months ago.

“He was uncomfortable in that cage – he was jumpy,” Tafa says of Lane. “If anyone’s had a hiding from their parents, you know you flinch when they smack you. That’s what it was like.

“I belted him, and he flinched, and that’s where the eye poke came from.”

Originally published as UFC 293: Justin Tafa on his bond with former NRL hard man and ‘hood hero’ Manu Ma’u ahead of Austen Lane fight