Tatsuro Taira
Japan
Gives all in quest for gold
Taira came up short in his bid for the UFC Flyweight Championship, losing to Joshua Van via TKO (Front Kick to the Body and Punches) at 1:32 of Round 5 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
It was a frustrating night at the office for Taira, who could seemingly get to any position he wanted on the ground, but could not stop Van from finding ways to return to his feet. While the Japanese fighter did admirable work with his jab, it was no match for Van's, which set up combinations that ultimately led to the finish. Taira slammed the canvas and gestured in disgust when the fight was stopped, but his face had become a swollen mess by Round 5, and he turned to run during Van's final onslaught against the cage. Though he came up short here, Taira's strength and submission prowess are uncommon gifts in the flyweight division, and they could be his ticket back to the title picture if he could make his striking slightly more functional. Taira fell to 18-2-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
It was a frustrating night at the office for Taira, who could seemingly get to any position he wanted on the ground, but could not stop Van from finding ways to return to his feet. While the Japanese fighter did admirable work with his jab, it was no match for Van's, which set up combinations that ultimately led to the finish. Taira slammed the canvas and gestured in disgust when the fight was stopped, but his face had become a swollen mess by Round 5, and he turned to run during Van's final onslaught against the cage. Though he came up short here, Taira's strength and submission prowess are uncommon gifts in the flyweight division, and they could be his ticket back to the title picture if he could make his striking slightly more functional. Taira fell to 18-2-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
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More Fantasy News
Opponent backs out, fight rebooked
Taira will no longer face Joshua Van at UFC 327, as the latter has backed out of the fight for currently undisclosed reasons and the fight will proceed at UFC 238, per Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Taira was set to face the new UFC Flyweight champion, Joshua Van, for the title on April 11. The fight is still on, however, but it'll be pushed back to UFC 328.
Taira was set to face the new UFC Flyweight champion, Joshua Van, for the title on April 11. The fight is still on, however, but it'll be pushed back to UFC 328.
Will take part in title fight
Taira will face Joshua Van for the UFC flyweight title at UFC 327 on April 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Van became the flyweight champion after defeating Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 on Dec. 6, 2025, but on the same event, Taira defeated Brandon Moreno, which gives him a fair shot at this title. Taira has won his last two fights, and he's certainly the biggest challenger Van could face at the moment.
Van became the flyweight champion after defeating Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 on Dec. 6, 2025, but on the same event, Taira defeated Brandon Moreno, which gives him a fair shot at this title. Taira has won his last two fights, and he's certainly the biggest challenger Van could face at the moment.
Puts away former champion
Taira defeated Brandon Moreno via TKO (punches) at 2:24 of Round 2 at UFC 323 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Taira continues to prove he is on par with the best the sport has to offer at 125 pounds. He wasn't able to get anything going offensively in Round 1 because Moreno had him trapped in a soft triangle choke nearly the entire frame, but he more than made up for it in Round 2. He muscled Moreno to the mat before ending up in a dominant position. Some control time eventually turned into Taira unloading with answered strikes to the side of Moreno's head, forcing referee Mark Smith to step in. Set to turn 26 years old in late-January, Taira is an exceptional wrestler with some pop in his hands, in addition to being very big (5-foot-7) for the division. Odds are he fights for the UFC Flyweight Championship at some point in 2026.
Taira continues to prove he is on par with the best the sport has to offer at 125 pounds. He wasn't able to get anything going offensively in Round 1 because Moreno had him trapped in a soft triangle choke nearly the entire frame, but he more than made up for it in Round 2. He muscled Moreno to the mat before ending up in a dominant position. Some control time eventually turned into Taira unloading with answered strikes to the side of Moreno's head, forcing referee Mark Smith to step in. Set to turn 26 years old in late-January, Taira is an exceptional wrestler with some pop in his hands, in addition to being very big (5-foot-7) for the division. Odds are he fights for the UFC Flyweight Championship at some point in 2026.
To fight at UFC 323
Taira will fight Brandon Moreno at UFC 323 on Dec. 6, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Taira will look to further separate himself from an Oct. 2024 defeat -- his first as a pro -- at UFC 323. Taira won his last bout in the second round via submission (face crank), and he'll face off against Moreno, who's won back-to-back fights.
Taira will look to further separate himself from an Oct. 2024 defeat -- his first as a pro -- at UFC 323. Taira won his last bout in the second round via submission (face crank), and he'll face off against Moreno, who's won back-to-back fights.
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.