Japanese fighter Tatsuro Taira had his biggest career win after defeating Alex Perez at UFC Vegas 93. Taira had Perez in a complicated position that led to Perez’s knee injury, but the Japanese fighter admitted that the injury was unplanned. In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Lesson, Taira explained the situation.
“I am used to this position and am working on one of my strengths,” He said. “ It was an accident, but if he wants to keep his position for a long time, this is the result that will occur. When I was on his back, I felt like he was defending the chokehold pretty well, so my only option was to take him to the ground.”
Although Taira has plans to become a champion, no Japanese fighter has ever won a division title in UFC except for Kazushi Sakuraba and Kenichi Yamamoto, who both won the one-night tournament at UFC Ultimate Japan 1 and 2. Tatira’s recent win has skyrocketed the fighter to the top five ranking fighters in the flyweight division, and he shows no signs of stopping. He hopes to make a name like his Japanese predecessors and win UFC gold if given a chance to face Alexandre Pantoja.
“ Honestly, would I be 6-0 after six fights? That was probably not what [I would have thought] b ack then,” He said when asked about his UFC career. “But when I came to the UFC, my goal was to get the belt so that goal never changed…”
“Becoming the first Japanese UFC champion is definitely my goal.”
“I would just say I’m ready, but I know everyone will think I’m [just now] Top five. Just looking at the top five other fighters, I’m excited to fight anybody. Pantoja, can you fight me in Japan? I have [followed] you are The Ultimate fighter page, I know you’re a great fighter, but I want to challenge you and get the belt.”
