The term “gatekeeper” usually has a bad connotation in combat sports. To be one, it means regularly being on the cusp of greatness – but also regularly just short while someone else goes on to, in this case, a middleweight title. So to get to that point to begin with: Very, very good. But most fighters don’t want that label saddled on them. And Brad Tavares (20-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) no doubt would prefer to ditch the term, too.
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Call Brad Tavares a gatekeeper all you want – he knows how he stacks up – MMA Junkie