Tatsuro Taira is feeling like a champion following a dominant win at UFC Vegas 108.
Higher than a champion, truly.
In Saturday’s flyweight important occasion at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Taira utterly outclassed Hyun Sung Park, submitting the short-notice alternative early within the second spherical with a neck crank to bounce again from his first-ever loss and enhance his professional document to 17-1.
In his post-fight interview—with some prodding from cageside commentator Michael Bisping—Taira known as for a battle with present flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja. He went on to additional argue his case later within the night.
“I can say 100% my ability is larger than the champion,” Taira mentioned on the night’s post-fight press conference through a Japanese translator.
Simply 25 years outdated, Taira has impressed in his first eight UFC appearances, compiling a 7-1 document and incomes himself a prime 10 spot within the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. He was initially scheduled to face fellow contender Amir Albazi, however earlier this week Albazi was dominated out of Saturday’s occasion after not being medically cleared to compete.
As a substitute, Taira fought Park, who entered their matchup with a 10-0 document. Given his stage of self-belief, it shouldn’t be stunning Taira wasn’t thrown off by the opponent change.
“The opponent modified,” Taira mentioned. “It was Hyun Sung Park, I knew him from profitable the Highway to UFC, however I’m one of the best within the flyweight [division]. I’m very assured and I consider that I’m one of the best, so not an enormous challenge for me.”
Pantoja’s subsequent title protection is predicted to happen in opposition to Joshua Van, who’s coming off of a spectacular determination win over Brandon Royval, the fighter who handed Taira his first loss. Requested if he expects to have to attend for the winner of the still-to-be-scheduled Pantoja vs. Van battle, Taira mentioned he’d wish to be booked for a battle on the identical card as that matchup.
Taira pointed to the Royval loss as a pivotal second in his younger profession and credited his group for his profitable turnaround.
“From my final battle I discovered my weak spot,” Taira mentioned. “However my group, everybody from my group nonetheless believed that I’d be a champion, so I simply stored working onerous, promising that I’ll be again.”
