Tatsuro Taira Triumphs as Alex Perez Injures Knee

Tatsuro Taira vs. Alex Perez

Tatsuro Taira made the most of his first UFC main event, even if the result wasn’t pretty. The undefeated Japanese flyweight maintained his perfect record, improving to 16-0 after opponent Alex Perez was unable to continue due to a knee injury. The finish came after Taira took Perez’s back and intertwined their legs, leading to the fighters falling back and Perez immediately grabbing at his leg in pain.

Referee Herb Dean quickly reacted to Perez’s injury and officially waved off the bout at the 2:59 mark of Round 2. This victory marks six consecutive wins in the UFC for Taira, a 24-year-old prospect who joined the promotion in 2022. Perez, who falls to 25-9 with the loss, now faces an uncertain future with the severity of his injury yet to be determined.

In his post-fight interview, Taira made his ambitions clear. Asked about his next opponent, Taira aimed for the top of the division, calling for a fight with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.

“I want to fight the best,” Taira declared. “Pantoja is the champion, and I believe I’m ready for that challenge.”

While it remains uncertain if the matchmakers will elevate Taira to the front of the contenders’ line, he performed admirably in the biggest test of his young career. Perez brought the fight to his less experienced foe in the first round, utilizing leg kicks and quick combos to keep Taira at bay. Taira’s strategy focused on using a Thai clinch to smother Perez, but the one-time title challenger maintained his preferred distance for most of Round 1.

Entering Round 2 down on the scorecards, Taira showcased improved striking to narrow the gap. He may have also benefited from a pair of eye pokes, one in each round, each causing brief delays in the fight. Eventually, Taira scored a takedown and took Perez’s back. Perez worked to stand and prevent Taira from securing the position, which led to the unfortunate fall.

Despite the less-than-ideal ending, Taira's victory keeps his momentum going strong. As he continues his rise in the flyweight division, all eyes will be on whether the UFC grants his wish to face Pantoja or if he will need to earn a few more victories before challenging for the title.