Brad Tavares

Brad Tavares is the definition of a durable middleweight gatekeeper. The Hawaiian came up through The Ultimate Fighter and turned crisp boxing, heavy leg kicks and a tough chin into one of the longest careers in the division.

He never reached the title picture, but that's not the measure of his value. Tavares has long been the kind of test prospects and contenders have to pass, and he's still capable of beating big names, as a win over former champion Chris Weidman late in his run showed. Losses to future champions like Dricus du Plessis marked the line between gatekeeper and contender.

Fans appreciate Tavares as a clean, professional technician, a veteran who shows up prepared and gives everyone a hard night.