Don’Tale Mayes could have achieved the validation of any vintage slugger—he comes to scrap, carries power in his hands and remains undaunted by return fire—but make no mistake, he has proven to be every bit the technician when the situation calls for it. Having claimed state judo championships in Kansas and Indiana, he has demonstrated an exceptionally adaptable skill set whenever he has been required to do so.
UFC on ESPN 55 on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosts a preliminary showcase between Mayes and Caio Machado—two heavyweight scrappers who gained entry to the Ultimate Fighting Championship through Dana White’s Contender Series.