The men's 80 kg taekwondo competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics was held on 19 August, at the Carioca Arena 3.

This event featured five-time Olympian and three-time Olympic medalist Steven López, representing the United States.

Cheick Sallah Cissé won the event for Côte d'Ivoire, the country's first Olympic gold.

The main bracket consisted of a single elimination tournament, culminating in the gold medal match.

Each semifinal loser faced the last remaining repechage competitor from the opposite half of the bracket in a bronze medal match.