"Dana might cut him for that" - MMA X erupts as Junior Tafa slaps Valter Walker after verbal submission at UFC 305

Fans reacted to Junior Tafa's questionable conduct after losing the UFC 305 fight against Valter Walker. Tafa, who appeared to have an advantage in the striking department, exploited Valker's vulnerable defense and caught him with several stinging shots from the get-go.

However, Walker remained committed to grappling and successfully took the fight to the ground. Tafa offered little resistance from his back as the broadcast team pointed out his apparent lack of knowledge in the area.

The Brazilian transitioned to a heel hook and Tafa shouted in pain, prompting the referee Steve Perceval to take it as a sign of verbal submission. The referee stopped the fight and Walker was declared the winner by verbal submission.

However, Tafa fiercely protested the outcome and slapped Walker after the fight to express his frustration. The video of their interaction was posted on @Home_of_Fight on X.

Check out the video below:

UFC CEO Dana White has historically been intolerant towards fighters intentionally attacking their opponents before or after the fight. Most notably, White released welterweight contender Paul Daley from the promotion after he punched Josh Koschek after the fight.

Fans took to the comments section and shared their thoughts on Tafa slapping Walker:

Fan reactions

Tafa's protest of the outcome came as a surprise as the Unified Rules of MMA clearly state shouting in pain as the sign of verbal submission. According to the rules, the referee must consider a verbal tap-out when:

"When a contestant verbally announces or voluntarily/involuntarily screams in pain or distress to the referee that they do not wish to continue." [H/T Unified Rules of MMA]

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Walker condemned Tafa's actions. He then called out his elder brother Justin Tafa for a fight:

"He [Junior] slapped my face when someone was holding my arms. He's not a man. I want to see if his brother is a man."