Tatsuro Taira Hopes to Become First Japanese UFC Champion

Heading into the UFC on ESPN 58 main event, Tatsuro Taira had designs on testing himself in the championship rounds.

That goal ultimately went unrealized when opponent Alex Perez suffered a knee injury, resulting in a technical knockout victory for the Japanese prospect at the 2:59 mark of Round 2. The finishing sequence occurred after Taira executed a standing back take and then dragged Perez to the canvas, a move that resulted in his opponent wrenching his knee on the way down to the floor.

“I came here to fight all five rounds. I haven’t got to fight all five rounds yet,” Taira said through a translator at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “It’s a shame he got injured, but I am happy with the win.”

As the flyweights fell to the canvas, Taira wasn’t initially aware of what had happened to his opponent.

“Actually, I didn’t realize that [he was injured],” Taira said. “I was trying to get his back and trying to finish. Then he [started] screaming out, and I realized he was injured.

Regardless of how the victory was earned, it was the most significant victory to date for Taira, who has won five in a row in UFC competition at 125 pounds and is 16-0 as a professional overall. With that, the Black Belt Japan product enters the top tier of contenders in the division. Taira is already targeting a title shot against reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja, though a UFC 304 matchup between Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape also has serious championship implications.

“I want to fight against Pantoja this year, but actually I really want to see who wins between Kape and Mokaev,” Taira said.

In an ideal world, Taira would get that opportunity on home soil.

“I will be very happy if I can fight my title shot against Pantoja in Japan and become the first Japanese [UFC] champion,” he said.