Tatsuro Taira
Japan
Dominant effort as headliner
Taira defeated Hyun Sung Park via submission (face crank) at 1:06 of Round 2 at UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Taira had no issues with the late opponent change and certainly looked the part of a betting favorite upwards of (-350). He dominated the first round to the tune of 4:41 worth of control time spread across four separate takedowns. The second round was more of the same, but Taira was able to take his opponent's back after an early takedown. He couldn't get under the chin, but the pressure he exerted on Park's jaw proved enough to earn the tap. It was an excellent bounce-back effort on the heels of a split-decision loss to Brandon Royval last October, and considering Taira only absorbed three significant strikes in this one, he should be ready to compete again in short order.
Taira had no issues with the late opponent change and certainly looked the part of a betting favorite upwards of (-350). He dominated the first round to the tune of 4:41 worth of control time spread across four separate takedowns. The second round was more of the same, but Taira was able to take his opponent's back after an early takedown. He couldn't get under the chin, but the pressure he exerted on Park's jaw proved enough to earn the tap. It was an excellent bounce-back effort on the heels of a split-decision loss to Brandon Royval last October, and considering Taira only absorbed three significant strikes in this one, he should be ready to compete again in short order.
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New opponent scheduled
Taira is scheduled to compete against Hyun Sung Park in a flyweight fight at UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday, UFC.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Taira was scheduled to headline UFC Vegas 108 against Amir Albazi, who is out for the event for undisclosed reasons. In steps Park, who is on a nine-fight finishing streak dating back to fights before he won his "Road to UFC" tournament in early-2023.
Taira was scheduled to headline UFC Vegas 108 against Amir Albazi, who is out for the event for undisclosed reasons. In steps Park, who is on a nine-fight finishing streak dating back to fights before he won his "Road to UFC" tournament in early-2023.
Scheduled against Albazi
Taira is scheduled to face Amir Albazi in a flyweight fight at the UFC's Aug. 2 event in Las Vegas, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Taira took a loss in his last trip to the Octagon in October, suffering a split-decision defeat to top flyweight contender Brandon Royval. Meanwhile, Albazi is coming off a decision loss of his own to former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.
Taira took a loss in his last trip to the Octagon in October, suffering a split-decision defeat to top flyweight contender Brandon Royval. Meanwhile, Albazi is coming off a decision loss of his own to former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.
Suffers first pro defeat
Taira lost to Brandon Royval via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 47-48) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's the first professional loss of Taira's career. As expected, the judges had to decide whether they preferred the grappling exploits of Taira or the damage inflicted by Royval. Taira landed 6-of-15 takedowns, good for 12:13 worth of control time. Those types of numbers typically lead to victory, especially in a fight which sees the final bell, but Taira also found himself on the short ended of a 124-42 count in terms of significant strikes landed. Just 24 years of age, Taira will have to learn how to threaten his opposition on the feet a bit more, if for no other reason than to appeal to the judges in close bouts such as this one. It's Taira's first defeat in seven UFC appearances. On the bright side, both men will walk away with $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses.
It's the first professional loss of Taira's career. As expected, the judges had to decide whether they preferred the grappling exploits of Taira or the damage inflicted by Royval. Taira landed 6-of-15 takedowns, good for 12:13 worth of control time. Those types of numbers typically lead to victory, especially in a fight which sees the final bell, but Taira also found himself on the short ended of a 124-42 count in terms of significant strikes landed. Just 24 years of age, Taira will have to learn how to threaten his opposition on the feet a bit more, if for no other reason than to appeal to the judges in close bouts such as this one. It's Taira's first defeat in seven UFC appearances. On the bright side, both men will walk away with $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses.
Scheduled against No. 1 contender
Tairo is scheduled to compete against fellow flyweight Brandon Royval in a five-round fight at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
The two will main event UFC Vegas 98. Perez earned that honor after his previous fight, which ended in a scary TKO to Alex Perez. A win over Royval would make Taira the No. 1 contender to UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja. Royval maintained his No. 1 contendership by defeating a former flyweight champion in Brandon Moreno, something the rising Japanese superstar has not done yet.
The two will main event UFC Vegas 98. Perez earned that honor after his previous fight, which ended in a scary TKO to Alex Perez. A win over Royval would make Taira the No. 1 contender to UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja. Royval maintained his No. 1 contendership by defeating a former flyweight champion in Brandon Moreno, something the rising Japanese superstar has not done yet.
Picks up first main event victory
Taira defeated Alex Perez via TKO (injury) at 2:59 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It goes in the books as an injury defeat, but the truth of the matter is that Taira did plenty of good work immediately prior to the stoppage which left his opponent in a vulnerable position. Undefeated and one of the top prospects in the sport today, Taira fought to even terms with Perez until early in Round 2, at which point he pushed forward for a takedown and got it easily. He quickly took Perez's back. Alex worked his way to his feet with Taira draped on his back, at which point the former appeared to injure his knee on the way back to the ground. The most important aspect of this fight for Taira is that Perez was by far the best opponent he had faced to date and he didn't appear overwhelmed in the slightest. Taira won't turn 25 years of age until late-January. He's a top-tier prospect in arguably the thinnest division in the sport. He also walks away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for the finish here, adding to the momentum.
It goes in the books as an injury defeat, but the truth of the matter is that Taira did plenty of good work immediately prior to the stoppage which left his opponent in a vulnerable position. Undefeated and one of the top prospects in the sport today, Taira fought to even terms with Perez until early in Round 2, at which point he pushed forward for a takedown and got it easily. He quickly took Perez's back. Alex worked his way to his feet with Taira draped on his back, at which point the former appeared to injure his knee on the way back to the ground. The most important aspect of this fight for Taira is that Perez was by far the best opponent he had faced to date and he didn't appear overwhelmed in the slightest. Taira won't turn 25 years of age until late-January. He's a top-tier prospect in arguably the thinnest division in the sport. He also walks away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for the finish here, adding to the momentum.