You might not know the name Tatsuro Taira yet. But, hold on, because this guy could soon be a big deal in the world of MMA.
At just 23, Taira’s already turning heads. Hailing from Naha, Japan, he’s stepping into his 2024 campaign with an air of anticipation. He’s a fresh face in the Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight division, and there’s a buzz around him.
His record? Impressive. He’s 5-0 in the Octagon and 14-0 overall. His most recent win was against Carlos Hernandez, who he took down with a flurry of punches in the second round of their UFC Fight Night 233 match. Of his 14 victories, 11 were by knockout, technical knockout, or submission.
As Taira waits for UFC matchmakers to plan his next move, let’s get to know him a bit better. Here are five things you might not know about this rising star.
First off, he’s made some smart choices. Taira started his formal MMA training under Ryoto Matsune, a former Shooto featherweight champion. Matsune ended his career with a 16-2-1 record, losing only to Rumina Sato and Kentaro Imaizumi.
Secondly, Taira hit the ground running. He made his professional debut at 18, taking down Yo Otake with a triangle choke in the first round of their Shooto match. He won all six of his bouts as a teenager.
Thirdly, Taira is adaptable. He can go the distance, as shown by his 4-0 record in fights that reach the judges. But he’s also got eight first-round finishes under his belt. He made a splash in 2021 when he took out Yoshiro Maeda, a former Deep and Pancrase champion, with a rear-naked choke in just 61 seconds.
Fourthly, Taira has a championship pedigree. He won the Shooto bantamweight title on July 4, 2021, by defeating Ryuya Fukuda with a first-round triangle choke. After competing once in the Vale Tudo Japan promotion, he vacated the title to sign a multi-fight contract with the UFC in 2022.
Finally, Taira is reliable. He’s fought at least twice every year since turning pro. In 2023, he fought three times, tying his career-high for appearances in a calendar year. Alongside his victory over Hernandez, he defeated Jesus Santos Aguilar with a triangle armbar and won a unanimous decision over Edgar Chairez.
So, there you have it. Tatsuro Taira, remember the name.