Tatsuro Taira is already waiting for his first UFC flyweight title defense.
The 18-1 Japanese fighter will face 125lb champion Joshua Van at UFC 328 on Saturday night.
With a win, Tatsuro Taira expects to be ordered to fight a ‘legendary’ flyweight later this yr.
Who leaves UFC 328 with the flyweight title? 🏆
Explain your Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira prediction within the comments. ⬇️
Tatsuro Taira expects Alexandre Pantoja after UFC 328
Alexandre Pantoja defended the flyweight title 4 times before an injury ended his reign.
The Brazilian fan favorite dislocated his elbow within the opening moments of a title defense against Joshua Van at UFC 323 in December.
Tatsuro Taira believes that the unsatisfying end to Pantoja’s reign means he will probably be granted a right away 125lb title shot when he’s able to return to the Octagon.
“I definitely wish to fight all of [the top contenders],” the UFC 328 star told MMA Fighting.
“What comes first could be going against Pantoja and beating him. But one other dream I’d say is to have an enormous fight in Japan, that’s one other thing I’m looking forward to. It’s becoming an exciting division.”
“Yes, I’m ready [for Pantoja]. Alexandre Pantoja, I met him a bunch of times. I believe he’s an excellent champ.
“Definitely a legendary champ, but flyweight now, we now have a whole lot of guys who’re getting here at high speed with a whole lot of momentum. It is perhaps somewhat bit different now from when he fought all of the top-ranked guys, however it’s a totally recent [group of ranked fighters] at flyweight.
“So I’m very excited to fight him someday soon, with me because the champ, and having that fight.
“I need to point out the momentum and the energy that the brand new generation has.”
Alexandre Pantoja is able to return
Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira was originally scheduled to happen at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11.
Unfortunately, the flyweight champion got injured, and the fight was moved back to UFC 328.
In his latest injury update, Alexandre Pantoja revealed that he was offered the prospect to rematch Van at UFC 327, but turned it down because he wasn’t sure he’d be fully recovered by then.
“The UFC asked me in regards to the fight, but when I can remember, it was the last days of January,” Pantoja said on March 31.
“In that point, two months ago, I said, ‘No, perhaps I can fight in June. But, after one month, starting of March, I believe I’m able to fight.
“If the blokes asked me, perhaps I’m able to fight in Miami, but that’s OK. I can enjoy watching the fight. I believe for that fight, it’s the actual probability for Joshua Van to prove he’s the champion of the world. That’s the actual fight for the belt because with me, he didn’t have a fight.”
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