Tatsuro Taira Returns to the Path of Triumph with a Commanding Victory in UFC
UFC flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira responded in shocking fashion to his first professional setback last Saturday, dominating South Korean HyunSung Park in the main event of UFC Fight Night.
Taira (17-1) submitted Park (10-1) via a face crank at 1:06 of the second round in Las Vegas. This was Taira’s first appearance since suffering the first loss of his career in October, a split decision loss to Brandon Royval. The 25-year-old Japanese phenomenon showed his best form, achieving his fifth finish, the best in the division, since 2022.
The 125-pound fight was put together on short notice. Taira was originally scheduled to face Amir Albazi at the UFC Apex, but Albazi (17-2) was forced to withdraw last week due to undisclosed medical reasons. UFC turned to Park, who was scheduled to fight former champion Steve Erceg the following week in Las Vegas.
The new combination turned out to be a complete imbalance. Taira knocked Park down with a straight right in the first minute and immediately took his back on the ground. Park showed good composure in recovering from the blow and avoiding Taira’s submission attempts, but could not find a way to separate from Taira and get back on his feet.
Taira wasted no time in attacking Park’s hips in the second round and once again took him to the ground in the first minute. This time, Park couldn’t defend Taira’s grappling superiority and quickly submitted to the face crank. Taira has finished eight of his 17 professional victories by submission and another five by knockout.
The victory improves Taira’s UFC record to 7-1. Before Saturday, he was the number 6 flyweight in UFC. Had he faced Albazi, he would have had the opportunity to fight the number 4 contender in the division.
Park, who signed with the company in 2023, arrived at the weekend unranked.
