Tatsuro Taira: '100 percent, my skill is higher than' winner of Pantoja vs. Van
LAS VEGAS – Tatsuro Taira is back on the win column, and his confidence couldn't be any higher.
The UFC flyweight contender bounced back from his first professional defeat, submitting HyunSung Park in the main event of UFC on ESPN 71 – which took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Taira (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) dominated Park (10-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in Round 1, and then only needed a little over a minute in Round 2 to submit Park with a face crank.
After the win, he called for the winner of Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van – the next UFC flyweight title fight, which has yet to be officially booked. Taira then followed up again, and took his callout a step further.
"I can say 100 percent, my skill is higher than the champion's," Tiara told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 71 post-fight press conference.
As far as the win itself, it was one of the most dominant and impressive showings in Taira's young UFC career. Yet, he expected to shine in that manner against a then undefeated Park.
"The submission defense, I know part was really aware that I would be bringing these kinds of submissions, and he was very cautious, and he was prepared, as well," Taira said. "He was very strong, true. But I'm very confident in my submission skills and overall skills, as well. I never rushed. I was confident in taking time and waiting for that moment."
Taira was originally scheduled to fight fellow top contender Amir Albazi. However, Albazi withdrew from the fight just days away from the event, and Park ended up stepping in with a bout a week notice. Taking a short notice opponent was no problem for Taira.
"The opponent changed to HyunSung Park. I knew him from winning the Road to UFC," Taira said. "But I am the best at flyweight, and I'm very confident that I'm the best, so not a very huge issue for me."
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