Tatsuro Taira is feeling like a champion following a dominant win at UFC Vegas 108.
Higher than a champion, truly.
In Saturday’s flyweight major occasion at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Taira fully 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 file to 17-1.
In his post-fight interview—with some prodding from cageside commentator Michael Bisping—Taira referred to as for a struggle with present flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja. He went on to additional argue his case later within the night.
“I can say one hundred pc my ability is increased than the champion,” Taira stated on the night’s post-fight press convention by way of a Japanese translator.
Simply 25 years previous, Taira has impressed in his first eight UFC appearances, compiling a 7-1 file and incomes himself a prime 10 spot within the MMA Combating International 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 an alternative, Taira fought Park, who entered their matchup with a 10-0 file. Given his stage of self-belief, it shouldn’t be stunning Taira wasn’t thrown off by the opponent change.
“The opponent modified,” Taira stated. “It was Hyun Sung Park, I knew him from successful the Highway to UFC, however I’m the very best within the flyweight [division]. I’m very assured and I consider that I’m the very best, so not an enormous challenge for me.”
Pantoja’s subsequent title protection is predicted to happen towards 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 struggle, Taira stated he’d prefer to be booked for a struggle 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 struggle I discovered my weak spot,” Taira stated. “However my group, everybody from my group nonetheless believed that I might be a champion, so I simply stored working laborious, promising that I’ll be again.”
