Brad Tavares has patterned work across his left chest and shoulder, script along his collarbones, a separate helmet-and-shield illustration on his ribs, and geometric ink on his right leg. He has described his collection as “Poly tattoos” in a UFC interview.
The script tattoo across his collarbones
The phrase across Tavares’ collarbones is recorded by Body Art Guru as “I Am My Brother’s Keeper.” It follows a shallow curve above the chest pattern. The flowing script stays distinct from the heavier lines below.
The wording suggests looking out for another person, but the available account doesn’t name a specific dedication or event. The photo shows the phrase and placement; it doesn’t explain who he had in mind.
How the pattern wraps around his left shoulder
This studio photo shows the pattern wrapping around Tavares’ left shoulder and upper arm. Rows of triangles, parallel lines and curved bands are divided by darker borders and open skin. The back view reveals shapes that are harder to see from the front.
Tavares’ own “Poly tattoos” description gives some context, but neither the photo nor that phrase explains what each motif means to him.
The chest pattern and shield illustration on his left side
A competition photo shows the patterned work covering most of Tavares’ left pectoral and connecting with the shoulder. A separate rib piece below it depicts a helmet above a shield-like form, with lighter shading and ribbon-like details.
Body Art Guru calls the rib design a Roman warrior; the image itself supports the more cautious description of a helmet-and-shield illustration. A strip of skin separates it from the chest pattern.
The geometric tattoo on his right leg
Against Chris Weidman, Tavares lifts his left leg while standing on his tattooed right one. The visible right thigh has dark borders, diagonal bands and finer lines; the pattern continues below the crop. Weidman’s shoulder tattoo belongs to his opponent.
The shorts cover the top edge, and the frame doesn’t show the full lower leg. The photo gives a good look at the thigh, but not a complete map of the design.
The tattoos in an earlier competition photo
An earlier photo against Dongi Yang shows the collarbone script, left-chest pattern and right-leg work already in place. The chest section appears smaller than in later views. Tavares is leaning back and lifting his right leg, so the angle also changes how the designs look.
The images show a difference in chest coverage over time, but they don’t give the order or dates of each session.
Hawaii and life around the Octagon
In this celebration photo, Tavares holds a Hawaiian flag behind his head; his white shirt covers the chest tattoos. UFC coverage identifies him as a Hawaii native. He has trained at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
In a January 2023 UFC interview, Tavares joked that Brazilian fans might be unsure whom to cheer for because of his look and surname. It’s a specific comment about how people read his tattoos, not an explanation of every pattern. The interview below follows his April 2025 unanimous-decision win over Gerald Meerschaert.