The UFC is passionate about opening new markets for its company. We are experiencing it with Spain, which thanks to Ilia Topuria is a place where they are expected to land in 2025. But there are other flagship fighters from their countries. One of them is the Japanese <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/02/deep-2-26-korakuen-hall-repo-michihiro-omigawa-and-daisuke-nakamura-lost-the-arm-cross-and-retired-the-best-judo-and-the-best-martial-arts-flyweight-ryuya-fukuda-and-featherweight-aoi-are-the-w/” title=”DEEP 2.26 Korakuen Hall (Repo): Michihiro Omigawa and Daisuke Nakamura lost the arm cross and retired. "The best judo and the best martial arts." Flyweight Ryuya Fukuda and featherweight Aoi are the winners. Yuma Ishizuka crushes Kawana TENCHO Yusei for the first time | BOUT REVIEW”>Tatsuro Taira (Okinawa, 2000)who is undefeated in his professional career with a record of 16-0 (6-0 in the UFC) and who wants to win the UFC flyweight belt. Positioned at number 5 in the ranking, his opportunity is to beat this Saturday the number 1 in the ranking of contenders, Brandon Royval. A complicated company.
But if any fighter is capable of becoming the first Japanese UFC champion, it is him. Without a doubt, he is considered the most incipient prospect (word used to classify promises) in the flyweight category (125 pounds, 56.7 kilos) and has stood out within the American company for his polished technique, his finishing ability and his impressive previous career.
Taira made his UFC debut in May 2022, beating Carlos Candelario in a fight in which he showed his great technique, especially on the ground, controlling and dominating the fight. It should be noted that it has the third highest percentage of control time in the history of the division. He won by unanimous decision, which allowed him to consolidate his premiere and think about bigger things. Those were coming: victories over CJ Vergara, Jesús Aguilar, Edgar Cháirez, Carlos Hernández and Álex Pérez.
The triumphs allowed him sneak into the top 5 of the categorywith a very balanced combat style, fighting in all facets of MMA without hesitation. Taira is known for his excellent Brazilian jiujitsu and his talent for subduing his rivals. But not only that, he also has effective striking, which makes him a very versatile fighter in all areas of combat.
Against Royval he faces the most important fight of his life and it will not be an easy task. Last year, the American earned a title shot but fell to reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. That is, in fact, the goal of Taira, who began training at a very young age in Japan and now arrives with a perfect record for the UFC title. There is no doubt: we are facing the greatest Japanese talent and the belt seems a matter of time.
