Career Averages - Tatsuro Taira
Career Averages - Alex Perez
Tatsuro Taira
Alex Perez
Tatsuro Taira - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 2 | 131 of 209 | 62% | 190 of 269 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 55 of 151 | 36% | 100 of 199 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 0 | 0 | 10:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 21 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 16 of 26 | 61% | 20 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 1 | 21 of 32 | 65% | 47 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 16 of 32 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:53 | |
| 3 | Joshua Van | 1 | 57 of 89 | 64% | 64 of 96 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 14 of 49 | 28% | 16 of 51 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 4 | Joshua Van | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 31 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 13 of 34 | 38% | 41 of 62 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:15 | |
| 5 | Joshua Van | 0 | 27 of 38 | 71% | 27 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 7 of 23 | 30% | 7 of 23 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 131 of 209 | 62% | 118 of 195 | 12 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 104 of 173 | 9 of 10 | 18 of 26 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 55 of 151 | 36% | 45 of 131 | 3 of 10 | 7 of 10 | 43 of 131 | 4 of 7 | 8 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 16 of 26 | 61% | 12 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 8 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 21 of 32 | 65% | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 5 of 19 | 26% | 3 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joshua Van | 57 of 89 | 64% | 54 of 85 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 41 of 68 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 17 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 14 of 49 | 28% | 13 of 46 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| 4 | Joshua Van | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 13 of 34 | 38% | 10 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | |
| 5 | Joshua Van | 27 of 38 | 71% | 18 of 29 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 7 of 23 | 30% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-170), Van (+142)
Round 1
They say a champion is only truly a champion when they successfully defend their title. Van (16-2, 9-1 UFC) earned it in December by forcing Alexandre Pantoja to snap his arm during a post when Pantoja defended a takedown. His first test as a beltholder will be once-beaten Taira (18-1, 8-1 UFC), who may have the edge on the mat and is currently the betting favorite. Referee “Shaolin” Vitor Ribeiro will issue instructions, standing back as the flyweights touch ‘em up.
Taira gets right behind his jab, bouncing in and out to score a hard low kick. Taira sets up another low kick, and he shoots after it with a deep double-leg entry. These Japanese fighter peels Van away from the cage and wrenches him down with a body lock, landing in a dominant position he uses to climb into full mount. Fans start raining down boos as Taira resides on top, and Taira ignores them all to smother the champ. Van bucks to get some space, and he recovers back to half guard thanks to a butterfly hook he sneaks in. Van uses his legs to push Taira away, only for Taira to practically step over to side control like he was in a day-one BJJ course. Van muscles his way back to his feet, finding that Taira wraps up a guillotine choke on him to keep him down. Van shrugs it off to stand, and he walks the Japanese fighter down to punch him square in the face.
Both men land flush jabs on the other, and Taira gathers himself to connect with a heft y low kick. Van slowly, calmly works forward, snapping the head back with a jab. Taira races forward to complete a takedown, putting Van’s seat on the floor and back to the cage. Taira prefers at this point to maintain control rather than inflict damage, so Van is able to wall-walk back to his feet practically uncontested. Taira leans on Van and yanks him to the floor with a body lock, stepping into full mount in seconds. Van sits up, and Taira forces him back down and misses with an elbow. When Van stands, Taira lashes out with punches. Van strikes back from up close, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Round 2
The flyweights rush towards one another to start off the round, and when they reach striking range, they bounce backwards simultaneously. Van is the one who opts to push forward, and he fights off a faked takedown entry. Taira puts a one-two and a jab on the nose, offering a half-hearted shot and then a strong one after. Taira switches quickly from a double to a single, and they jostle one another around with Taira thumping his man in the sternum with a knee. Van stands up him with fast, powerful hands, and Taira’s face starts to glow red. Van chases after Taira, whose hands are down, and he rocks him with a right hand. Taira has to circle away to regain his composure, and he darts in to strike but Van is out of the way. Taira times an advancing Van to take him off his feet, and he climbs to mount practically the moment they hit the mat.
Van bucks and wriggles to break out of the mount position without absorbing any damage, but he remains stuck on his back as Taira smothers him and reapplies mount. Taira rides the champion like a bucking bronco, getting pulled back to half guard when Van keeps active off his back. Van hacks away from his back, and he appears to be the only one attacking with anything of note. Van sits up and finds himself in choke danger, shucking off the choke to explode back to his feet. Taira stands tall and is about to rush after a takedown, only for Van to knock him clean off his feet with a right hand. Taira hits the deck, and Van leaps down after him in hopes of finishing the job. He cannot, and Taira makes it to Round 3 and wobbles back to his corner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Van
Round 3
Brimming with confidence, Van stalks down the challenger and jabs his way in. Taira shoots for a desperate takedown, and Van shoves him to the floor and lets him stand back up so he can do work on the feet. Van no-sells a takedown shot and puts his fists in Taira’s face repeatedly. Taira gets his bell rung with a three-punch combo ending with an uppercut, and he throws back single strikes but is nowhere near as fast as his opponent. Taira’s takedown shot fails again, and Van rails him with an overhand right and a left to the liver. Taira circles out to reposition himself in the center of the cage, and his nose gets blooded up by the champ’s jab. Taira throws a calf kick and rushes for a takedown, but he sprints face-first into a flush but questionable knee that rocks him to his core. Taira’s nose bleeds from both nostrils, and he takes a quick count of his teeth and rebounds off the cage wall to swing back. Van beats him to the punch figuratively and literally with speedy combinations, an effective jab and a constant pace. The jabs of Van knock Taira to his seat, who looks around confused but is still in the fight.
Taira tries for a takedown to get his wits about him, so Van turns it against him and slings him to the floor like a side of beef. Van, rather than going after a ground-and-pound finish, slips around to take the back and hunt for a rear-naked choke. Van settles on a neck crank, and Taira steels himself to survive it. Van reapplies the crank, and once more, Taira toughs it out. Van’s third try slips his arm beneath the neck, and the rear-naked choke is tight and appears academic. The Japanese challenger somehow wills himself back into the fight, working out of the choke danger and twisting to work to his feet. Van has no issue with this, as he continues beating three shades of something into Taira’s face. Blood pours from several places around his visage, but he still wants the takedown. He shoots and completes the takedown, and on Van’s return to his feet, Taira hits a mat return. Van gets out of this as well, and Taira walks him down and busts him in the nose. The horn sounds, with Taira surviving after that onslaught.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Van
Round 4
The championship rounds are here, and the flyweights are ready to fight again. Taira nails his opponent with a stern calf kick that draws a big reaction out of the champ, and he uses his momentum to rush forward and grip hold of a body lock to chuck Van to the mat. Van on his back uses his butterfly guard to keep Taira from moving to a dominant position. Van looks for a sweep, and Taira lowers himself flat to slip into full mount again. Taira pummels Van with his shoulder from above, and he stops Van from turning to the side by clubbing him with his free right hand. Van tries to buck and kick, but Taira transforms himself into a 125-pound lead weight.
Van sits up, and Taira throws his legs up to grip hold of a triangle armbar. Van wriggles free and stands back up, and he motions for Taira to follow him. Taira obliges him and gets behind his jab, but Van nails him in the nose a few times to force blood to flow some more. Taira slaps himself in the face a few times after absorbing damage like Curly from the “Three Stooges,” and Van stays right in front of him putting fist to face. Taira kicks low and high, reaching behind his long jab to chain them together. Taira runs face-first into the ground when going after a takedown, avoiding a knee that Van has ready for him by a margin of inches. Taira grinds on the champ until 10 seconds remain, with Van breaking off and jabbing into a right hand. The fourth round is now over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Round 5
The fighters share a smile, having reached the last round. It is jab city when they resume fighting, with Van working his way in behind a right hand. Taira ducks strikes to shoot for a takedown, and he gets stood up when Van’s back hit the wall. Taira tries again, and Van pushes off and lets him have it. Both men trade heavy leather, with Taira ending a combination with another failed shot.
Van rips a few punches to the body, bending the challenger over to open up head shots. The champ stabs out with a front kick to the stomach and hurls a rapid barrage of punches at his adversary until Taira turns to his side and tries to circle out, stumbling all the while. This is apparently enough for Ribeiro to think he should step in. Riberio waves things off, and Taira instantly protests that it was premature.
His cries call on deaf ears, so he throws his mouthguard away in frustration. The result is what it is, as Van has successfully defended his flyweight strap with a fifth-round stoppage, while becoming the first fighter to finish Taira. In his victorious post-fight interview, Van tells former champ Pantoja to heal up so that they can run it back.
The Official Result
Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira R5 1:32 via TKO (Front Kick to the Body and Punches)
Angelo picks Joshua Van, emphasizing his striking pressure and volume. He notes Van lands a high number of strikes and has shown takedown defense against wrestlers. He thinks Taira's striking pressure is weak and Van will keep the fight standing. He expresses concern about a possible injury to Van that caused the fight to be moved, but assumes both are healthy. He compares Taira's loss to Brandon Royval as a blueprint for Van.
Angelo picks Joshua Van, citing his incredible volume and takedown defense. He believes Van's striking will be too much for Taira, similar to how Royval beat Taira with volume. He notes that Van doesn't get frustrated when taken down and focuses on getting back up.
Big Brady picks Tatsuro Taira, citing his elite back-taking and grappling. He notes Van has been submitted before and Taira has power on the feet. Brady expects Taira to get the fight to the ground and secure a submission, specifically a second-round submission. He acknowledges Van's volume but thinks grappling will decide the fight.
Cody picks Taira, emphasizing his well-rounded skills and ability to take Van down and control him. He notes Taira's improved striking and grappling, and believes he can neutralize Van's volume by wrestling. Cody expects Taira to win by submission or decision, as Van's takedown defense is suspect.
Connor picks Van, emphasizing his faith in Van's game in Taira's area of expertise (striking) over Taira's game in Van's area. He notes Taira's lack of pocket feel, as seen against Moreno, and Van's ability to metabolize takedown threats. Connor believes Van's fight-building style will break Taira down, as Taira has no build-back plan.
Daniel picks Van, agreeing with Cody and Malcolm. He highlights Van's superior striking and ability to defend takedowns, though he notes Taira's back-taking ability and heart. Daniel is confident Van will make the fight his and Taira will have to absorb many strikes.
The host leans toward Taira but does not place a pre-fight bet. He notes Taira's superior grappling and back takes, but Van's dangerous boxing and potential cardio advantage. He prefers to live bet this fight to get more information on Van's takedown defense. He mentions Van +5.5 fight spread as interesting but holds off.
Predicted method: Submission Round 3. Taira's grappling-heavy style (3.12 takedowns per round, 1.6 submission average) poses a clear threat to Van, who has 81% takedown defense but has faced less relentless wrestlers. Van's striking volume (8.84 SLpM) is impressive, but Taira's 2.44 SApM indicates he absorbs few strikes, and his recent KO win over Brandon Moreno shows improved power. Taira's reach advantage (70" vs 65") helps him close distance for takedowns. Expect Taira to mix in takedowns, neutralize Van's striking, and secure a submission or dominant decision.
Jacob is confident in Joshua Van, praising his confidence and athleticism. He thinks Van's takedown defense and cardio will be key, and that Taira will struggle to get takedowns in later rounds. He believes Van will dominate once the takedowns stop working.
Lucrative James favors Tatsuro Taira because he believes the grappling gap is larger than the striking gap at flyweight, and submissions are more decisive than knockouts at this weight class. He notes Taira needs one moment to finish, while Van needs multiple moments. He also cites Van's high fight frequency (5 fights in 13 months) as a potential negative, and Van's chin issues. He predicts Taira by submission.
The host picks Van, believing his defensive grappling has improved enough to keep Taira from dominating. He expects Van to outstrike Taira, work the body, and win on the scorecards. He notes that Taira is dangerous early but Van's pace and striking will be too much in championship rounds.
Paul also picks Taira, citing his grappling advantage and experience in five-round fights. He thinks Taira's takedowns and control will be key, and that Van's slow starts and defensive holes will be exploited. Paul expects Taira to win by submission or decision.
The MMA Guru picks Tatsuro Taira, citing his superior grappling and reach advantage. He notes Taira's ability to secure dominant positions and improved ground and pound. He believes Van's takedown defense against lesser grapplers won't hold up against Taira's explosive entries. He predicts a finish in the second or third round.
Zane picks Van, noting his superior striking and ability to handle takedown threats. He points out that Van has good wrestling instincts and has faced grapplers like Durden and Suraya, defending well. Zane believes Van's fight-building style will break Taira down, as Taira struggles in the pocket and relies on range. He sees Taira's only chance as a submission, but Van's defensive wrestling makes that unlikely.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 28 of 48 | 58% | 45 of 65 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 4:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 18 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:33 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 26 of 39 | 66% | 27 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 9 of 17 | 52% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 28 of 48 | 58% | 23 of 42 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 19 of 25 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 4 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 7 of 13 | 53% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 26 of 39 | 66% | 22 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 23 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-142), Moreno (+120)
Round 1
Mark Smith is the referee. Taira opens up with a quick and powerful right hand in what is a largely deliberate opening minute. Taira thinks about a shot, then resets and gets reversed on his takedown attempt. Moreno is on his back with a triangle locked in early. This is bad news for Taira to be trapped in this maneuver so early in the fight. Fortunately for the Japanese prospect, Moreno doesn’t quite have the position he needs to really apply the squeeze. Taira has Moreno stacked and he lifts and slams his foe down. That might have allowed Moreno to adjust the hold and tighten it. Taira seems to be OK with a little more than a minute remaining. Taira tries to fire some punches while in the awkward position. Moreno finally loses the hold in the waning seconds. Taira grabs a front headlock and they separate before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 2
Moreno pumps a jab but Taira answers with an uppercut. Moreno with a low kick and he follows that with a combination, landing a crafty lead hook. Taira drops low for a takedown, but Moreno sprawls effectively and counters. Taira doesn’t give up, and he closes the distance ands a trip takedown moments later. The Japanese prospect takes the back, locks in a body triangle and begins to tee off with ground-and-pound from back control. Taira flattens the former champ out and continues to unload with unanswered punches. Moreno is still moving from the bottom, but Smith has seen enough. As Taira tosses his mouthguard in celebration, Moreno questions if the stoppage might have been premature. It won’t matter, as Taira becomes the first person to finish Moreno in professional MMA competition.
The Official Result
Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via TKO (Punches) R2 2:24
Angelo picks Brandon Moreno, citing his experience, well-rounded skills, and relentless pace. He believes Moreno's striking will be a problem for Taira and that Taira's takedowns are not good enough to keep Moreno down. He notes that Alex Perez outstruck Taira before his knee injury. Angelo is surprised that Moreno is an underdog and considers betting if the odds become favorable.
Big Brady picks Tatsuro Taira, citing his elite grappling and control, and believes he will take Moreno down and win rounds. He acknowledges Moreno's striking advantage but expects Taira's takedowns to be decisive. He predicts Taira wins by decision.
Cody picks Moreno, highlighting his experience, durability, and scrambling ability. He notes that Moreno has never been finished as a pro and has fought the best in the division. He believes Taira is not a refined product and relies on getting the back, which Moreno's scrambling will neutralize. He expects Moreno to outwork Taira and win by decision.
Connor picks Moreno, citing his experience and technical edge. He notes that Taira struggles to set up takedowns and relies on opponents overextending, while Moreno has strong wrestling defense and can hit his own takedowns. Connor acknowledges that Moreno sometimes fights stupidly, but even then he has a good chance. He believes Moreno's methodical pressure and straight punches will be effective against Taira's limited striking arsenal.
Daniel picks Taira, impressed by his back-taking ability and heart shown in the Royval fight. He believes Taira's grappling is elite and that Moreno may struggle with it, similar to how Pantoja took Moreno's back. He sees Taira's standup improving and thinks he can win a competitive fight, possibly by controlling rounds with back takes.
Lucrative James favors Moreno on the feet and believes his takedown defense is better than Brandon Royval's, which will help him avoid Taira's grappling. He notes Moreno's preparation with Mikey Musumeci and thinks Moreno's experience in five-round fights gives him an edge in a three-round contest. He expects a close split decision but picks Moreno to edge it.
The host believes Taira will continue his winning ways by putting Moreno in bad positions. He notes that Moreno is not as good a scrambler as Brandon Royval, which will keep him in bad positions for at least two rounds, allowing Taira to win on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, citing Moreno's advantages in striking, experience, durability, and cardio. He notes that Taira's only top-tier fight was against Brandon Royval, where he lost and was outstruck. He believes Moreno's leg kicks and scrambling will be key, and he picks Moreno by decision.
The Guru picks Tatsuro Taira over Brandon Moreno, citing Taira's back-taking ability and Moreno's recent decline. He notes Taira's grappling and range striking will be effective in a three-round fight. The Guru predicts a 29-28 decision win for Taira.
Zane also picks Moreno, emphasizing that Taira's takedown entries are telegraphed and that Moreno's wrestling is far superior to Royval's, who still managed to defend takedowns. He notes that Taira's striking is limited to a 1-2 with occasional kicks, while Moreno can apply pressure from range. Zane worries about Moreno's tendency to fight recklessly but believes his advantages in experience and grappling outweigh that risk.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 1 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 13 of 20 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Park Hyun-sung | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 1 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 12 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:56 |
| Park Hyun-sung | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 14 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Park Hyun-sung | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 7 of 11 | 63% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Park Hyun-sung | 3 of 9 | 33% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Park Hyun-sung | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Park Hyun-sung | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Connor sees Taira as a developing fighter who has improved his striking, footwork, and clinch work. He believes Taira's reach, submission grappling, and ability to punish opponents at range will be too much for Park, especially on short notice. He notes Park's style relies on bullying smaller opponents, which won't work against Taira's size and skill.
Lucrative James sees Tatsuro Taira as the superior grappler with better back-taking ability and transitions. He notes Taira's impressive performance against Brandon Royval despite the loss, showing heart, cardio, and grappling skill. He believes Taira's youth and training at High Altitude with Cory Sandhagen will lead to improvement. He expects Taira to eventually take Albazi's back and secure a submission in the later rounds, as Albazi has shown vulnerability when giving up his neck or back. He also questions the quality of Albazi's wins, calling his win over Kai Kara-France a robbery.
Zane acknowledges Park's pressure striking and combination punching could trouble Taira, but believes Taira's improved distance management and counter-striking will allow him to punish Park's entries. He notes Park's tendency to fall into grappling exchanges, where Taira is superior. Zane concludes that Park's style is made to take advantage of lesser athletes, and Taira is not that.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | 0 | 124 of 232 | 53% | 172 of 287 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 3 | 2 | 2:23 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 42 of 99 | 42% | 80 of 143 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 1 | 0 | 12:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 17 of 55 | 30% | 17 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 10 of 22 | 45% | 11 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 2 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 3 of 14 | 21% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 29 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:10 | |
| 3 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 56 of 78 | 71% | 81 of 105 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 5 of 21 | 23% | 7 of 23 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 4 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 18 of 25 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:29 | |
| 5 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 43 of 74 | 58% | 57 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 2 | 1:26 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 14 of 36 | 38% | 15 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | 124 of 232 | 53% | 114 of 216 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 97 of 203 | 11 of 12 | 16 of 17 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 42 of 99 | 42% | 34 of 91 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 38 of 93 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Royval | 17 of 55 | 30% | 12 of 46 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 10 of 22 | 45% | 6 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Royval | 3 of 14 | 21% | 1 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 5 of 7 | 71% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Brandon Royval | 56 of 78 | 71% | 54 of 76 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 52 | 9 of 10 | 15 of 16 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 5 of 21 | 23% | 5 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brandon Royval | 5 of 11 | 45% | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 8 of 13 | 61% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | |
| 5 | Brandon Royval | 43 of 74 | 58% | 43 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 41 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 14 of 36 | 38% | 12 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-225), Royval (+185)
Round 1
The UFC has chosen well with this all-action flyweight scrap capping off the fight card. Fresh off a revenge win over Brandon Moreno, Royval (16-7, 6-3 UFC) is energized and fully capable of playing spoiler. Taira (16-0, 6-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat, and his performances continue to dazzle as he works his way up the 125-pound ladder. The two are brought to the middle of the cage by referee Jason Herzog for final instructions, and they gladly bump fists before madness ensues. It’s on with the show. Royval hops in and out searching for an early jab, and he pitches out a high kick to further gauge his range. Royval has another head kick miss, and Taira tests his mettle with a light low kick. Royval connects with a body kick, and Taira changes levels on him. Royval defends with a guillotine choke, and he breaks free of the attempt with his back bouncing off the wall. Royval walks through a right hand to get off his own, and his subsequent head kick efforts continue missing. A straight left from Royval reddens the Japanese fighter’s nose, and he catches Taira coming in with another left hand. Royval kicks the body and spins around, with Taira getting off a right hand. Royval scores another body kick that does not get caught, and he snaps out a one-two to get Taira’s attention. Royval clubs his foe with a left hand, and he gets off another in short order before dancing away to a safe distance. Royval measures and clubs Taira once more with a left, having found its range with it and a body kick. Taira bends over and gets his hair buzzed with a back fist. Two more body kicks from Royval get through, and his jab splits the guard. Taira walks into a pair of punches, and he makes Royval stumble with a short combo and grabs hold of Royval from behind to drag him to the floor. Royval attacks a kneebar as soon as he hits a mat, and he transitions into a heel hook and tugs on it from the other side for an inverted variety. Taira turns but cannot get out of the leg danger, as Royval commits to it by rolling over. Taira slithers away from the submission, and Royval breaks free and darts after him with long punches before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Royval
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Royval
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Royval
Round 2
Royval is right in the center of the cage ready to pick up where he left off, and his long punches lead to a step-in knee. Taira threatens with a double, scooping Royval up and pushing off the fence to drag Royval down and take his back. Taira flattens Royval out for a moment, but Royval is a scrambler and he keeps moving any direction he can. Taira secures the body triangle to stifle the former title challenger’s escape attempts, and he slides over to take mount before stretching Royval out further. Royval scoots his way to put the wall behind him, with Taira sitting up and the leg grip still around his waist. Royval hand-fights to defend from a submission, and Taira looks to isolate a choke. Royval rolls over, turning twice until he grabs hold of Taira’s knee to spin him around. Taira further maintains control from behind, with Royval’s efforts in vain. Royval is warned for grabbing the inside of the glove, and Taira sells out for a rear-naked choke. Taira turns to the other side to further sneak it in, and Royval is able to stop these attempts for the time being. Royval sits back down with Taira holding an unorthodox grip around his shoulder, and he uses it to put Royval on his back and reassume mount. Royval spins around to escape the first bad position, and Taira deftly slides through to get his back and shut Royval down by getting in half guard. Royval attacks a leglock, forcing Taira to stand up and pull his leg away. Royval works back to his feet in the waning seconds, and one body kick is all he gets off before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Round 3
Fists are bumped to get going, and a more tentative Royval gets countered over the top with a left hand. Taira reaches him with another left hook over the top, and Royval slugs him in the chops with a right hand. A straight left from Royval finds its home on the jaw, and he lands another few punches and a knee when Taira shoots for a takedown. Royval defends the double with several elbows to the side of the head, and he stands Taira up with a sharp knee. Royval breaks out of the attempt and goes wild with a flurry of strikes, shaking Taira up briefly. Taira’s recoverability is excellent, as he does not back up and instead stays just out of range. Royval bears down on him with a long left and an uppercut, and his uppercut clips Taira again when Taira tries to strike back. Royval gets energized by landing flush, hurting Taira with a flurry of fists. Taira shoots desperately for a takedown when he gets hurt with a salvo from “Raw Dawg.” Taira’s takedown is used against him, as Royval throws him to the mat and works on him with hammerfists. Royval thwarts another attempt, and Taira is fading fast as the woodchipper in Royval is on him chewing him up with punches and knees. Taira goes after another takedown, and it is not effective as he ducks face-first into a clean knee. Taira drops to the mat, and Royval follows him and beats on him with hammerfists on either side of the head. Taira tries to move, and Royval circles around to take Taira’s back and get hooks in. Royval searches for an armbar, rolling to his bell to lock it down, and Taira miraculously fights his way out of the sub and turns Royval around to get his back. Taira fastens the body triangle and starts hunting for his own submission. A rear-naked choke from the Japanese youngster sneaks around the jaw of his foe, and Royval decides to punch instead of fighting the hands. Royval grits it out and survives to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Royval
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Royval
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Royval
Round 4
Royval is fired up after his corner very loudly and dramatically informs him that he needs to crush this kid. Taira is not about to go down lightly, and the two flyweights meet in the center of the cage and trade hands violently. When Taira gets stung, he shoots in for a takedown. Royval balances thanks in part to a fence grab, although Taira still wrests him to the mat. Taira gets his hooks in and locks down the body triangle, with Royval pulling off the fence to try to spin himself about. Taira hunts for a choke, and Royval fights the body lock and turns to his knees. Taira’s body lock remains firmly around the midsection even sitting upright, and Royval rolls but is still snared in the web. Taira softens him up from behind with punches as Royval keeps turning, and he lands an elbow as he moves from position to position. When absorbing one particularly fierce elbow, Royval turns to his stomach, and he uses two-on-one control to wriggle himself out. Taira’s savvy back control further nullifies “Raw Dawg,” and he lets Royval roll to his back to get the body triangle again. Royval fights it off on one side, but Taira fastens it on the other. When the 10-second clapper sounds, Royval sits up and is near to escape, but time expires before he can. It could be all tied up now.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Round 5
With five minutes left in the fight very likely even on the scorecards, Royval strikes first in the final round. Connecting with four or five early punches, Royval is forced to sprawl to stop a level change. Taira walks into a few punches after Royval stands up, and he reaches with a right but gets clubbed with an uppercut. Royval reaches out with a left hand, and he snipes Taira coming in with a few punches. Royval eats a pair of lefts to get driven back, and he slips in an uppercut. Taira swings a right hand into a takedown, and he puts Royval on his seat with three and a half minutes left in the round. Taira moves to north-south position with Royval pushing his heels off the fence to flip around. Taira nearly gets the back, but Royval reverses the position and pursues his own takedown to place Taira on his seat. Royval holds on from behind as Taira stands, and he elevates and slams the Japanese fighter down. Royval jumps on the back as Taira gets to his feet again, and slides off in a hurry. Taira breaks the grip and separates, and Royval walks him down and bloodies his foe’s nose. Taira loads up on power strikes, and Royval’s straight left remains a money punch. Royval seems to land cleanly whenever he wishes, and Taira dives after a desperate single but Royval stops it and knees his foe in the chest. Royval breaks free again and rails Taira with a step-in knee, and Taira knocks him back with a big right hand. Royval gets back in his face with a series of punches, and he gets pushed over when spinning back. Taira shoots for a double, and Royval jumps guard with a guillotine choke that he uses to roll into full mount. Royval sits up and lets Taira turn over to take his back, and he snatches up a rear-naked choke. Royval gets the body triangle at the same time, and he cranks on the neck. The neck crank does not get a tap, and tough as nails Taira survives to turn himself over. The final horn blares, and this back-and-forth battle comes to a close in an easy “Fight of the Night” candidate and one possibly worthy of “Fight of the Year” consideration. No matter who picks up the win, these two put on a show and stamp their places in the elite echelon of the 125-pound division.
Springing the upset, Royval showers his defeated opponent with compliments, while saying that he would be happy to do anything to further Taira’s career—a fighter that he confidently proclaims will be a champion one day. Royval states he alone deserves the next title shot at flyweight, due to wins over top-five talents Brandon Moreno, Kai Kara-France and now Taira. He asks to be backup for the Alexandre Pantoja-Kai Asakura championship bout, or offers to fight in hostile territory to beat either man in their home country after UFC 310. If he gets the next crack at gold, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Royval (48-47 Royval)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Royval (48-47 Royval)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Royval (48-47 Royval)
The Official Result
Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira via Split Decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
Angelo picks Brandon Royval, calling himself a Tatsuro Taira hater. He notes that Taira is undefeated but hasn't beaten top competition, and that Royval's pressure and experience will be too much. He mentions Royval's win over Brandon Moreno and his ability to land strikes even when taken down. Angelo bet half a unit on Royval at +170 and is also considering a plus 5.5 bet.
Big Brady picks Tatsuro Taira to win by decision. He notes that if it were a three-round fight, he'd be more confident, but the five rounds give him pause due to Royval's elite cardio and durability. However, Royval has terrible takedown defense (40%), and Taira's grappling control is elite. He compares it to Royval's fight with Pantoja, where Pantoja controlled him on the ground. Brady believes Taira can get takedowns at will and control rounds, though rounds 4-5 could get interesting. He expects Taira to win at least three rounds.
Cody believes Taira is a believer after his performance against Royval, showing improved striking, timing, physicality, and elite grappling. He notes Taira's ability to take down Royval six times and control him, despite Royval's scrambling and cardio. Cody sees Taira as more polished and refined than Park, with five-round experience and superior competition level. He expects Taira to roll through Park.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Royval's defensive wrestling is nonexistent and that Taira's grappling is a huge advantage. He notes that Royval's recent striking approach is static and ineffective, and that Taira should be able to take him down and control the fight. Connor is confident Taira wins unless he fights poorly.
Daniel acknowledges Taira's immense talent and undefeated record but questions if he's ready for a top-five test at age 24. He notes Royval's proven durability, pace, and experience against elite competition like Moreno and Pantoja. Daniel is tempted by the plus-190 odds on Royval and believes Taira may need to pay his dues first. He emphasizes that Royval gets better as fights progress and that Taira hasn't faced anyone with Royval's relentless pressure.
The host looked for a reason to take Royval as a big underdog but couldn't due to Taira's control and grappling. Royval is more disciplined but will struggle when Taira crashes the pocket and wraps him up. The host is not super high on Taira's chalk and prefers the over 3.5 rounds, but expects Taira to control the majority of the fight via grappling and win on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Taira's striking improvement and elite grappling. He highlights Taira's ability to get to the back and control opponents, and his five-round experience against top competition. Paul thinks Taira wins more often than not even at a sizable favorite price.
The MMA Guru picks Brandon Royval as an upset, citing his scrambling ability, pressure, and durability. He questions Taira's hype, noting close fights with Perez and Shevchenko, and believes Royval can make Taira break in a five-round fight. He expects Royval to win by late-round TKO, as Taira hasn't faced someone as lanky and rangy, and Royval has shown he can hang with top flyweights like Pantoja and Moreno.
Zane picks Taira because Royval's defensive wrestling is terrible and Taira is a good takedown artist with dangerous ground control. He notes that Royval's striking volume is often ineffective and that Taira can find takedowns consistently. Zane believes Royval's only path is if Taira fights terribly, but otherwise Taira should win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 41 of 77 | 53% | 45 of 81 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 31 of 66 | 46% | 43 of 78 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 23 of 43 | 53% | 27 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 18 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 25 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 41 of 77 | 53% | 22 of 49 | 10 of 13 | 9 of 15 | 31 of 64 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 31 of 66 | 46% | 25 of 57 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 28 of 59 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 23 of 43 | 53% | 9 of 23 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 8 | 16 of 34 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 17 of 43 | 39% | 14 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 18 of 34 | 52% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 15 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 14 of 23 | 60% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-185), Perez (+154)
Round 1
The final fight of the evening comes in a rare non-title flyweight tilt, with former title challenger Perez (25-8, 7-4 UFC) coming in on short notice. He will try to hand high-flying unbeaten Japanese contender Taira (15-0, 5-0 UFC) his first pro loss. Action is sure to come from these two fighters, but before it does, they come together in front of referee Herb Dean to hear their final instructions and bump fists. It’s on with the show. While Taira is in the center of the cage, he steps back when a leg kick flies by. He throws one back, and Perez targets his front leg once more. The former title challenger goes after one more kick, and the two end up closed in on one another. Taira tries to set up the Thai clinch, and Perez dirty boxes and fights off level changes until he can break away. Perez sneaks in a knee on the break, and he digs several punches to the body. Taira pushes him away and lines up a power right hand, and Perez ducks and thwacks his front leg wither another two kicks. Taira splits the guard with two punches, and Perez darts at him with three punches, landing the third of them. Taira sticks out a jab and a head kick, and Perez rings his bell with two compact hooks. Perez again crowds him throwing bombs, and Taira gets his head knocked around briefly before disengaging. Taira settles down and jabs a few times, but Perez blasts with a number of uppercuts. Taira aims a knee to the head to break off the clinch, and he keeps his jab flowing. Taira follows one jab with a right hand, and he dodges the counter one-two. Taira rails his man with a sharp uppercut, and he finds another as Perez backpedals. Taira slaps the front leg with a kick, and Perez returns fire with one before charging in to tie him up. Taira cannot hold on, and Perez escapes and darts forward with his hands flying. Taira pushes off and swipes his fingers into the Californian’s eye, and Dean calls time. Perez uses a cloth brought in from the doctor to wipe his eye clean, and Dean goes over to warn Taira. After about a minute, Perez is good to go. Perez swings hard with punches to the body and scoops the Japanese fighter up to dump him on the floor. Taira attempts to sweep, but he settles for standing up and getting away. Perez pushes out a front kick and dodges a head kick as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 2
Perez rushes out of his corner to invite a glove touch, and it is accepted as Dean warns Taira for outstretched fingers. Perez swings wildly with wide punches, and Taira spins him around with a leg kick. Taira snipes him on the way in with a right hand, and he appears to push off and poke the eye again. Perez complains it was a foul, and Dean calls time and asks for replay to check it. The replay shows the eye poke, and Dean goes over to Taira to give him a hard warning. They start up after around 45 seconds, and Perez re-measures his jab. Taira holds his left hand out and blasts the former title challenger with an uppercut, but Perez pays it no mind and unleashes a series of haymakers to knock Taira back. Taira scores a low kick and lands with his own heavy blows, but Perez lands the heavier of the two and it shows by Taira’s face changing shade. Perez works on the front leg with kicks on the inside and out, and Perez gets stood up on the way back with one coming back his direction. Perez shrugs off an uppercut to lob bombs, and he catches Taira flush and lets the counters graze his cheeks. Taira rushes at him and takes the fight down, and as soon as Perez turns, Taira takes his back while standing. Taira leans to one side in hopes of wrenching Perez down, and he keeps the body triangle tight while softening Perez up.
Taira keeps leaning to one side to tug Perez off-balance, and Perez falls awkwardly when leaning back. As he does, Perez’ right knee figuratively explodes, and Perez lets out a screech of pain as Taira is on top of him. Perez taps the canvas to make sure that Dean is getting involved, and Taira dismounts him and looks on with concern. Perez rolls to his back and writhes in agony, clutching his damaged limb as medical professionals swarm him.
This is an unusual situation because it is not simply a freak occurrence from a strange landing, but rather something Taira set up to target one leg and drag him down in that specific angle. Whether he was intending on causing fight-ending injury or simply moving to a more dominant position, it worked, and Taira moves his stellar undefeated record to 16-0 while passing the largest test of his career. The victorious youngster from Japan shouts on the interview that he is very happy, and he asks for a title shot. He confidently declares that he wants everyone in the flyweight division to line up in front of him, and he will mow them down. When Taira gets back into the cage again, it will likely be in a huge fight at 125 pounds. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.
The Official Result
Tatsuro Taira def. Alex Perez R2 2:59 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Angelo picks Alex Perez as an underdog, arguing that Perez has shown he can defend takedowns against elite wrestlers like Muhammad Mokaev. He believes Taira's takedowns are not as good, and Perez has the striking advantage. He notes Perez's recent knockout win and experience. He thinks the plus 170 odds offer value and plans to place a bet.
Cody picks Alex Perez as a plus money underdog, arguing that flyweight fights are always close and Perez is a veteran with a wrestling base, BJJ black belt, and decent striking. He highlights Perez's 82% takedown defense and notes that Taira's wrestling is not good enough to take him down. Cody also points out that Taira struggled with Edgar Chairez, got dropped, and showed questionable cardio, which could be a problem in a five-round fight. He believes Perez's experience and power will take over as the fight goes on.
Daniel Vreeland acknowledges Alex Perez's resurgence and boxing/wrestling advantages but leans toward Taira due to his youth, reach, defensive striking, and opportunistic finishing ability. He notes Taira's incremental development and believes he can get past Perez, possibly by submission. However, he admits it could be a vet lesson and is not fully confident.
Jacob picks Tatsuro Taira, arguing that Perez has been outgrappled by top competition and Taira is more well-rounded than Mokaev. He believes Taira's striking and grappling are superior, and he will set up takedowns with strikes. He thinks Perez's takedown defense won't hold up and Taira will submit him. He is confident and offers to bet openly.
Perez's defensive grappling will shut down Taira's wrestling, which I'm not sold on. In the striking, Perez will dictate the pace with calf kicks to slow Taira and then open up his hands, finishing Taira in the third or fourth round.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating that Taira is a prospect who may look like a stud one day but the level of competition Perez has faced is far superior. He notes that Perez has been fighting the best in the division for years and is a big-time gatekeeper. Paul acknowledges the risk of Taira getting takedowns and taking the back, but he is still with Cody on betting Alex Perez.
The MMA Guru picks Tatsuro Taira by TKO. He believes Taira is better technically on the feet than Muhammad Mokaev, and that his grappling is more opportunistic and technical. He notes Taira's ability to take the back, reverse positions, and his good right hand. He thinks Perez may crumble under pressure and that Taira's youth and improvement over his career, plus having more notice for this fight, will lead to a finish. He also mentions the narrative of Taira opening doors for Japanese MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 1 | 33 of 43 | 76% | 44 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:36 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:21 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 1 | 21 of 24 | 87% | 24 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 33 of 43 | 76% | 30 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 26 of 34 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 12 of 19 | 63% | 12 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 12 of 17 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 21 of 24 | 87% | 18 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 17 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-410), Hernandez (+320)
Round 1
Buried on the prelims is a young man fast on the rise, as 23-year-old Japanese prospect Taira (14-0, 4-0 UFC) looks for win no. 15 at the expense of the speedy Hernandez (9-2, 2-1 UFC). The latter recently picked up a win in June when a slam knockout ended up overturned to a decision thanks to an inadvertent clash of heads on the way down. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Mark Smith, and he kicks off the fight as the 125ers touch gloves. Hernandez is the initial aggressor, pushing the action at least from a movement standpoint. Neither man commit to a strike in the first 30 seconds, until Hernandez paws out with a left hand that sneaks around the guard. Taira responds with a front kick, and Hernandez chases him to the ground. Taira immediately sweeps his opponent, and the resulting wild scramble results in both men getting back to their feet. Hernandez pushes the Japanese fighter against the wall, and he lifts Taira up and attempts to slam him down. Instead, Taira positions himself midair to shift his body weight, and he pushes Hernandez over and lands on top of him. Taira steps over to three-quarter mount briefly, but remains comfortable in half guard so he can control and land sporadic left hands or an elbow. Taira jumps over to full mount, and he looks to hook his left arm around the side of the head while lacing Hernandez’ legs between his own. Taira bails on the arm-triangle choke setup so he can posture up and land shots from on top. Hernandez turns over, and Taira flattens him out and starts fishing for a submission. When that does not come, he starts laying into Hernandez with his fists. Hernandez turns about again, giving up his back, and Taira follows him every step of the way and looks to fasten in a rear-naked choke grip. Hernandez defends it and continues twisting himself around, and Taira drills him with punches any time he has an opening. Taira sits up and blasts Hernandez in the face with an emphatic right hand, and he rides out the remainder of the round on top and lands one more right hand.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Round 2
The flyweights come together, and Hernandez is again the first to push the pace. Taira smacks him in the temple with a left hand, and he follows with a calf kick. Taira rifles a straight right hand down the pipe, rocking Hernandez down to his core, and
he strings together a chain of punches until Hernandez crumbles to the mat. Taira follows him down, continuing his bombardment of strikes, and Hernandez turtles up on his knees, barely still with it. Smith watches on as Taira beats on him, and he determines that Hernandez is no longer in the fight and waves it off.
This is a big win for Taira, who records his first career knockout in years by lifting himself to a perfect 15-0 as a pro.
The Official Result
Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Hernandez R2 0:55 via TKO (Punches)
Cody picks Tatsuro Taira. He notes that Taira is a legitimate prospect with excellent back-taking skills. Cody points out that Hernandez has poor takedown defense and gives up his back. He thinks Taira will bait Hernandez in, shoot for a takedown, take the back, and sink in a rear-naked choke. Cody acknowledges that Taira will eventually face a tough wrestler but believes Hernandez is not that guy.
Paul picks Tatsuro Taira. He notes that Hernandez's grappling is solid but not elite, and he was submitted quickly by Alan Nascimento. Paul thinks Taira is systematic in getting to the back and finding the choke. He is interested in Taira by submission at plus 120 but is a bit concerned about Hernandez's ability to survive the full 15 minutes. Overall, Paul expects Taira to win by submission.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 61 of 78 | 78% | 121 of 148 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 9:53 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 1 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 26 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 27 of 30 | 90% | 36 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 57 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:10 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 17 of 22 | 77% | 28 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 15 of 21 | 71% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 61 of 78 | 78% | 40 of 54 | 2 of 4 | 19 of 20 | 26 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 42 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 25 of 38 | 65% | 15 of 23 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 9 | 25 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 27 of 30 | 90% | 18 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 9 of 10 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 16 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 6 of 10 | 60% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 17 of 26 | 65% | 16 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 22 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tatsuro Taira | 17 of 22 | 77% | 6 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 9 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Édgar Cháirez | 15 of 21 | 71% | 10 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-950), Chairez (+650)
Round 1
Thanks in part to some late card rejiggering, highly regarded prospect Taira (13-0, 3-0 UFC) moves his way up the billing. Originally planning on meeting Kleydson Rodrigues, the Japanese prodigy now faces late replacement Chairez (10-4, 0-0 UFC) out of Mexico. The match will take place at a pre-planned 130-pound catchweight, and it will be overseen by referee Herb Dean. It begins with a half-hearted reach of a glove touch try from Chairez, and Taira ignores it so he can get offense going in the form of a chopping leg kick. Chairez gives it back, and chants of “Mexico” rain down in support of the debuting Chairez. Chairez comes up short on another attempt, and he is reached by the man from Japan. The action is largely muted other than occasional kicks from both fighters, with Taira working from both legs. Chairez steps in with a jab as Taira crashes towards him, and when Taira backs off, he continues bludgeoning the lead wheel of his opponent. Taira jabs to force Chairez to backpedal, and he gets kicked off his feet by the Mexican. Chairez gets off a body shot, and he tags Taira with a left hand. Taira wobbles to his seat, and he recovers and moves over to tackle Chairez over to gather himself. Chairez grips hold of a guillotine choke, and it is tight until Taira settles down and drives Chairez back to the corner between the floor and the wall. This allows Taira to threaten with a Von Preux choke, as he keeps Chairez stuck in a bad position. Chairez recognizes the danger, and he releases the grip. Taira slowly and methodically works to pass guard, and Chairez is warned for interlocking his toes in the cage to stifle the pass. Dean slaps and pulls Chairez’ toes out of the links, and he keeps warning Chairez for doing it repeatedly. This foul gets called a few times, but as he is focused on tugging on the links with his big toe, Taira sits on top of him and isolates his left arm to set up a crucifix. Taira elbows Chairez several times, and he is admonished for the angle he uses of the 12-to-6 variety. Taira looks up confusedly at Dean, and he changes his angle of attack until the close round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Round 2
The second round begins with the two combatants getting off kicks on one another. Taira changes levels and shoots in for a takedown, and Chairez jumps guard to grab hold of a guillotine choke. The Japanese fighter easily slides his neck out of the choke, where he moves right to half guard and even takes mount briefly before getting bucked back to guard. Chairez shifts his hips, and Taira times it perfectly to move right into mount. Taira smothers his foe when he willingly moves back to half guard, doing so to pin Chairez down. Taira elbows Chairez on the side of the head with light but effective blows, and he hooks his legs together in an effort to trap Chairez’ right arm. Taira continues working with elbows before transitioning to a straight armlock from the other side of the body. Taira, who steps back into mount, postures up to rain down punches and elbows. With 80 seconds to spare, he hammers Chairez with strikes until Chairez turns and almost gives up his back. Taira slashes down with elbows, hurting his opponent, and he calmly lands strikes from a dominant position. Taira considers an arm-triangle choke, and Chairez sits up and wraps his arms around Taira’s waist to hang on. Taira rolls to his back to lock down a triangle choke, and he elbows Chairez on the dome and tightens it up. Pulling the head down to cut off the blood flow to the brain and hopefully deprive his man of oxygen as well, Taira tries with all his might but cannot get the tap before the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Taira
Round 3
The last frame kicks off with kicks. Taira wades his way into a striking exchange, and he gets backed off with a left hand. Taira checks a low kick and throws it back. A right hand from the Japanese fighter sneaks over the guard, and Chairez slings a few punches back his direction much to the delight of the crowd. The undefeated fighter pecks at Chairez with leg kicks, and he ducks a looping left hook in the nick of time. Chairez reaches out with a one-two and a subsequent jab, and he shrugs off a body kick. Taira shoots in for a double-leg takedown, and he plants Chairez on his back without Chairez hunting for a guillotine this time. Taira uses shoulder pressure while in half guard to keep Chairez flat on his back, and he elbows his foe on the ear. Taira grinds his elbow on the forehead and forearm on the throat, as he settles for control over offense as the clock keeps ticking. Fans grow restless as Taira clings to top position, even when he lands the occasional elbow. Taira threatens with a guillotine when Chairez sits up, and Chairez is able to fight it off and get back to his feet. Taira goes after a double, and Chairez pulls guard for a guillotine. Chairez locks his feet together and squeezes with every bit of energy he has left, and he rolls over to secure the mounted guillotine choke. Taira toughs it out, with no plan of tapping out no matter how bad it gets, and time expires before the submission puts him out. The scorecards could be all over the map for this one, depending on the potential assessment of a 10-8 in Round 2 and how the first stanza panned out.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taira (30-27 Taira)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Taira)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Taira (29-28 Taira)
The Official Result
Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo gives a slight lean to Taira at 50.1%, but he actually bet on Cháirez at +600. He acknowledges Cháirez's solid striking, takedowns, and BJJ, but worries about short notice. He sees Taira's path to victory through grappling and control, but thinks Cháirez is just as dangerous on the ground. The lean is extremely slight, and he encourages viewers to watch tape on Cháirez.
Big Brady picks Tatsuro Taira to win by submission in the second round. He notes that Taira is a well-rounded fighter with underrated striking and slick grappling, especially back takes and submissions. He believes Cháirez will slow down as the fight goes on, leading to a finish in the second or third round. He mentions that Cháirez has been submitted before by Jesus Aguilar, whom Taira beat in the first round.
Cody is confident Taira wins but the price is unplayable. He thinks Taira will likely finish Cháirez in the first or second round via submission. He notes Taira's back-taking and submission skills are elite. He considers the under 1.5 rounds at -145 but isn't in love with it because Taira may be patient.
Connor picks Taira because he is a great problem solver who starts fights passively but uses opponent aggression to set up takedowns and submissions. Cháirez is a wild, aggressive fighter who will likely come forward, and Taira excels at countering that aggression. Taira's ability to blast opponents off their feet when pressured makes him a clear winner.
Daniel Levi picks Taira, calling him one of the best Japanese prospects he has ever seen. He praises Taira's ground game, composure, and ability to chain striking to takedowns. Levi respects Cháirez's toughness and his controversial win on Fury FC, but believes Taira's ceiling is much higher and that he is headed straight for the top 15. He notes that the minus-1100 price is prohibitive for betting but still picks Taira to win.
James does not make a clear pick on the winner. He disagrees with Taira being a -1000 favorite, capping him around -500 to -600, but does not see enough value on Cháirez at plus money. He discusses props: he likes Taira by decision at +500 more than the submission prop at -200 to -250, and also considers the KO prop at +700. He ultimately passes on betting the fight due to lack of a strong read.
Taira is a skilled Japanese prospect with a strong submission game, especially the rear-naked choke. Cháirez is aggressive and flashy but will likely be taken down and submitted. The fight should be closer than the odds suggest, but Taira will eventually secure a submission victory.
Paul agrees Taira wins easily. He notes Cháirez is a short-notice replacement with no clear path to victory. He thinks Taira's grappling is far superior. He says the real question is how quickly Taira finishes, possibly in the first or second round.
The MMA Guru picks Tatsuro Taira, citing his patient top grappling and submission threat. He notes that Cháirez was taken down by Clayton Carpenter on the contender series, and believes Taira's methodical style will lead to a submission. He acknowledges Cháirez's momentum but sees Taira as a different level of grappler.
Zane picks Taira because he is a great problem solver who can take whatever Cháirez gives him and turn it into an advantage. Cháirez is overly aggressive and will likely come forward, which plays into Taira's takedown and positional grappling game. Taira is a huge favorite and should be able to submit Cháirez if he gets taken down.
Alex Perez - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Perez (-140); Mudaerji (+115)
Round 1
The six-fight main card kicks off with Sumudaerji (19-7; 6-4 UFC) looking to put the brakes on a ghastly 0-4 run for Chinese fighters thus far—even if one was an iffy decision—against perennial flyweight contender Perez (26-10; 8-6 UFC). The referee is Mark Craig. Perez is standing orthodox, Sumudaerji southpaw, and the “Tibetan Eagle” towers over the American. There are a couple of awkward-looking collisions at kicking range as both men learn to navigate the distance on the feet, but neither man has landed much of consequence a minute in when Perez drives his foe to the cage. He takes an underhook and punches with the free hand, perhaps looking for a takedown opportunity, but makes no real attempt to do so before Sumudaerji shoves him off. They reset and Perez surges forward with a trio of hard punches that back Sumudaerji off. Half the round gone and it’s still an awkward, somewhat tentative fight, with each fighter taking turns exploding with bursts of offense, but most of the hardest shots are coming from Perez, who is having an increasingly easy time getting inside the taller man’s range and landing to the head. Perez changes levels for a takedown and Sumudaerji sprawls beautifully. With 30 seconds to go, the Tibetan drops for a surprise takedown of his own and is snared in a tight guillotine. Perez adjusts his grip and Sumudaerji is stuck, but in danger of being choked, until the horn.
10-9 Perez.
Round 2
In the first serious exchange of the round, Sumudaerji lands a clean left hand that hurts Perez badly. He gives chase, landing in Perez’s half guard and dropping big shots. Some are blocked, but enough get through cleanly that referee Craig is looking on with new interest. Perez recovers, however, and once he wraps his foe back up in full guard, the action slows enough that Craig stands them up. Seconds later, Sumudaerji reaches out with a left front kick that impacts the cup of Perez, who goes down as if shot with a Taser. Perez motions for a bucket and promptly (and loudly) vomits. UFC color commentator Laura Sanko is nauseated by the sound of Perez retching, and we’re right there with her. Perez appears to recover, but then calls for the bucket once again and hurls. We still don’t know whether this thing is going to resume, but Craig indicates that Sumudaerji is being docked a point. After the prescribed five-minute break for the foul, Perez is still unable to stand, let alone fight, and Craig waves it off. Considering that he had already called the foul a point deduction, that should mean we have a disqualification on the way, but we get a no contest instead because rules don’t mean anything.
The Official Result
Alex Perez vs. Su Mudaerji ends R2 1:45 via No Contest (Inadvertent Groin Strike)
AJ picks Sumudaerji, citing his length as an X-factor and his momentum from recent evolution. He notes Sumudaerji's takedown defense has improved significantly, and his striking at range will cause problems for Perez. AJ thinks Perez will have to resort to wrestling, which won't be easy. He predicts Sumudaerji's technicality will lead to a decision win, outstriking Perez and quieting the grappling flaw narrative.
AJ picks Sumudaerji, citing his southpaw stance, clean boxing, distance management, and improved wrestling defense. He thinks Perez's calf kicks are neutralized by the stance switch, and Perez may have weight-cut issues. AJ expects Sumudaerji to win a decision in China, using his reach and precision to outpoint Perez.
AJ picks Sumudaerji as his underdog lock of the week. He highlights Sumudaerji's length advantage (72-inch reach vs 65.5), improved takedown defense, and distance striking as key factors. He questions Alex Perez's consistency, weight cutting issues, and momentum, noting Perez has only one win since 2021. AJ predicts a decision win for Sumudaerji, citing his technical striking and defensive grappling.
Angelo picks Alex Perez, arguing that Perez's losses are to elite fighters (Figueiredo, Pantoja, etc.) and that he is a very good fighter. He expects Perez to win a decision, though he notes Perez may not score enough for DraftKings.
Angelo picks Alex Perez because he is the better fighter with power and footwork. He notes that Perez has fought a murderer's row and is coming off a knockout win. He thinks the power will be the difference, but he is not betting on the fight.
Angelo picks Alex Perez, believing he is the better overall fighter with more power, better footwork, and higher fight IQ. He acknowledges that Sumudaerji has speed and volume, but thinks Perez's experience against top competition and his striking advantage will be the difference. He considers the odds appropriate.
Big Brady picks Alex Perez by second-round submission, citing Perez's wrestling advantage and Sumudaerji's poor durability and grappling. He notes Sumudaerji's wins are weak and he has been finished six times, while Perez has lost only to elite fighters. He believes Perez will take him down and choke him out, though he acknowledges Perez is a 'ball dropper' who has lost to top competition.
Cody leans Sumudaerji due to Perez's history of injuries, weight misses, and cardio issues. He notes that Perez often fades in later rounds and has pulled out of many fights. Sumudaerji is younger, taller, and fighting in China. Cody believes if Perez doesn't finish early, Sumudaerji can take over. He is waiting for weigh-ins to decide.
Levi picks the underdog Sumudaerji, citing his improved grappling defense and overall game. He criticizes Perez for missing weight, quitting in fights, and being inconsistent. Levi believes Sumudaerji can pick Perez apart and possibly submit him.
Jacob picks Alex Perez because he is the better fighter and Sumudaerji has not faced someone of Perez's level. He notes that Perez has wrestling and striking, while Sumudaerji's wins are against lower-level opponents. He uses a graph analogy to explain that Perez is above Sumudaerji in skill.
Lucrative James leans Alex Perez, citing his elite wrestling which should exploit Sumudaerji's grappling weakness. He notes that Perez can dominate on the ground, while Sumudaerji is a much better striker but Perez can compete there. He worries about Perez's history of mental lapses and submission losses but believes his recent frequent fighting helps his mental game. He predicts a submission win, though he is not confident and may not bet the fight.
The host picks Perez to win inside the distance, citing his aggression, durability, and improved striking. He believes Perez will crowd Sumudaerji's space and mix in takedowns, leading to a finish. He loves the minus 140 line and thinks Perez's confidence is sky-high after knocking out Charles Johnson.
The host loves Alex Perez in this spot, citing his continuous improvement and recent knockout win. He expects Perez to bring an aggressive striking game and possibly take the fight to the mat, finishing Sumudaerji inside the distance via knockout or submission.
Paul is torn but leans Perez skill-wise, noting that when Perez is on, he is a top-10 flyweight. However, he acknowledges Perez's mental lapses, injuries, and weight issues. Paul thinks -133 could be value if Perez shows up, but he is wary of the China factor and Sumudaerji's reach. He is not confident and may wait for weigh-ins.
The Guru picks Perez due to his wrestling advantage. He notes Sumudaerji is a good striker with improved grappling but still vulnerable to submissions. If Perez gets takedowns, he should dominate on the ground. However, he expresses uncertainty about which version of Perez shows up and says the striking is competitive.
The MMA Guru picks Alex Perez to win by knockout. He notes that Sumudaerji needs patient fighters who stand in front of him, but Perez is aggressive with power and offensive wrestling. He believes Perez will pressure and land big shots, knocking out Sumudaerji, who has been hurt before.
The Guru picks Su Mudaerji (Sumudaerji) over Alex Perez, citing Mudaerji's length, patience, and sniping ability. He believes Mudaerji's range control and punishing jabs will neutralize Perez's pressure. He notes Mudaerji's improved wrestling and is surprised he is an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 2 | 39 of 75 | 52% | 55 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Charles Johnson | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 8 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 2 | 39 of 75 | 52% | 55 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Charles Johnson | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 8 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 39 of 75 | 52% | 27 of 60 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 5 | 33 of 67 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 |
| Charles Johnson | 8 of 25 | 32% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 39 of 75 | 52% | 27 of 60 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 5 | 33 of 67 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 |
| Charles Johnson | 8 of 25 | 32% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Johnson (-205), Perez (+170)
Round 1
All UFC fights stateside will plug on under the Paramount+ streaming service, so the distinction between early prelims and the “ESPN” or “Fox Sports” prelims is less significant than before. Former UFC Fight Pass maven Ant Evans suggested the breakdown of cards shift to the main card—no change there—the undercard, where the four-fight prelim slot prior to the main card is placed; and any bout before those nine should be considered a prelim. Nevertheless, the action continues in a catchweight affair as the skidding Perez (25-10, 7-6 UFC) failed to make the flyweight limit by two and a half pounds. A quarter of his purse goes to “InnerG” Johnson (18-7, 7-5 UFC), whose unique hairstyle is starting to have a mind of its own. The athletes will be officiated by referee Jason Herzog, and Perez offers his foe an apologetic glove touch that is accepted.
Perez darts straight to the center of the cage, where he tracks Johnson down and parries a body kick to race towards him. Johnson dings him with a right hand and slides out of the way to reset. Perez goes wide on a right hand, and he nearly gets his chin checked with a head kick. Johnson checks a few leg kicks and stays right before Perez, circling on the outside while Perez walks straight towards him. A Perez barrage comes up short, although a second effort does clip Johnson on the chin. Johnson fires back with a high kick, and Perez unloads with a vicious left hand that stuns Johnson and sets him down. Johnson pulls the cage to stand back up, still badly rocked, and he stands in front of Perez as if he wants to bang it out. Perez has no fear, and he drives a few knees into his jaw that hurt him once more. Johnson takes a right hand on the chin that shakes him up and forces him to bounce off the fencing to keep his feet about him, and Perez is all over him.
Perez marches down “InnerG” with impunity, and Johnson is being held up by the cage when Perez blasts him. One more knockdown is registered by Perez, and Johnson drops to his knees to desperately shoot. Perez takes anything Johnson offers and walks through it to tear in to the damaged fighter who has fought back to his feet again.
When Johnson lifts up an anticipatory knee, Perez loads up on a left hand and sends Johnson careening to the canvas for the umpteenth time, and Herzog has seen more than enough and waves things off.
Johnson still gets up on autopilot and runs towards Perez as Perez has walked away to celebrate his handiwork, and he even gets hold of Perez’ leg when Perez is trying to climb the cage wall. Herzog manages to cool Johnson down, who was damaged and in a bad way for much more than a minute. This is a crucial victory for Perez, who had only gotten his hand raised once in his last six outings. It is a bit of a tough break for Perez, because while he won and likely staved off a pink slip, his missing weight makes him eligible for a finish bonus. It takes champion Joshua Van mere moments to post on social media taunting the defeated Johnson, who laughs off any chance at a rematch.
The Official Result
Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson R1 3:16 via TKO (Punch)
Angelo picks Alex Perez despite his four-fight losing streak, arguing the losses are to elite fighters and he was winning against Asu Almabaev before a mistake. He praises Perez's striking, low kicks, and wrestling. He notes Charles Johnson is a friend of the show but believes Perez can pull off the upset. He is very low confidence, rating it 51 out of 100.
Big Brady notes Perez finds ways to lose, often getting finished when he's winning. He expects Perez to win round one but fade as Johnson works into the fight. He predicts Johnson will finish Perez, likely by submission, as Perez has been submitted many times.
Cody picks Charles Johnson, citing Perez's poor cardio and tendency to make mistakes. He notes Johnson's improved takedown defense and striking volume, and believes Johnson will win the later rounds. Cody sees Johnson as a live underdog and expects him to win by decision or late stoppage.
Connor questions whether Alex Perez is actually a good flyweight, noting his record of 1 win in 6 fights over 5 years. He sees Perez as a bully on the front foot who lacks durability and defensive striking. Johnson, on the other hand, is clicking better, finding his timing earlier, and has a persistent, awkward style that can frustrate opponents. Connor believes Johnson can survive Perez's hot start and take over, possibly getting a finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Charles Johnson to finish Alex Perez. He notes that Perez has lost five of his last six and has questionable heart and fight IQ. Vreeland believes Johnson's slow-starting style matches up well against Perez, who tends to fade. He predicts Johnson will find the chin or neck of Perez for a finish.
James picks Johnson, citing his superior striking, cardio, and durability. He notes Perez often gets finished and that Johnson is more locked into MMA. He predicts a finish, possibly by submission or knockout.
The host picks Perez as an underdog, citing his forward pressure, leg kicks, and gas tank. He believes Perez can dictate the pace and outwork Johnson, who can be gunshy. He notes Perez's recent losses are to high-level competition and sees value at +175. He predicts Perez by decision or knockout.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Johnson's improvements and Perez's bad luck. He notes Johnson's knockout power and volume, and believes Perez's cardio will fail him. Paul likes Johnson on the money line and also considers the knockout prop.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Johnson, citing his win over Joshua Van and his range advantage. He notes that Johnson's uppercut game will be effective against Perez's head-tucking hooks. He predicts a close decision, possibly with Perez having a good third round.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Perez's wrestling control time is often minimal and that he walks into danger. Johnson has a great flow and timing, and his ability to pressure and exhaust opponents is key. Zane also mentions that Johnson knocked out the flyweight champion and has a Bobby Green-like quality. He thinks Johnson can survive Perez's early pressure and win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 0 | 40 of 98 | 40% | 84 of 143 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Asu Almabayev | 0 | 36 of 90 | 40% | 68 of 126 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 | 0 | 1:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 0 | 18 of 60 | 30% | 40 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Asu Almabayev | 0 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 20 of 45 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 | |
| 2 | Alex Perez | 0 | 21 of 37 | 56% | 43 of 60 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Asu Almabayev | 0 | 13 of 40 | 32% | 45 of 76 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Alex Perez | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Asu Almabayev | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 40 of 98 | 40% | 14 of 57 | 15 of 23 | 11 of 18 | 32 of 85 | 3 of 7 | 5 of 6 |
| Asu Almabayev | 36 of 90 | 40% | 24 of 76 | 8 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 32 of 84 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 18 of 60 | 30% | 2 of 32 | 9 of 16 | 7 of 12 | 18 of 58 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Asu Almabayev | 20 of 45 | 44% | 12 of 37 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 41 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alex Perez | 21 of 37 | 56% | 11 of 24 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 6 | 13 of 26 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 |
| Asu Almabayev | 13 of 40 | 32% | 9 of 34 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alex Perez | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Asu Almabayev | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almabayev (-200); Perez (+170)
Round 1
A pair of speedster flyweights grace the cage, with a potential passing of the torch moment possible even though these two athletes are separated by just two years of age. The relative elder statesman, former title challenger Perez (25-9, 7-5 UFC) grew up in the Tachi Palace Fights circuit after the WEC was absorbed by the UFC. His Kazakhstani foe Almabayev (22-3, 5-1 UFC) bounded around Russia and the CIS for his early career, taking fights in noteworthy leagues like Alash Pride, Tech-Krep FC, ACB and M-1 before landing in the big leagues here. Referee Dan Movahedi will keep things on the up-and-up as the prelims keep going, and the fighters elect to touch gloves.
Perez keeps his range early with front kick offerings, using them as range-finders and not to necessarily attack and cause damage. Almabayev waits to score a single low kick, and Perez charges him with fists flying. Almabayev responds with a wheel kick that collides with the guard, and Perez gets his leg kick back. Perez swings like a wild man, and his low kick opens up strikes up top. Almabayev fires back and then shoots down for an extremely low single down on Perez’ hips. Perez defends by putting his back to the wall and hacking at the side of the head with elbows. Movahedi warns him to not smack the Kazakh in the back of the head, and Almabayev spins Perez around but cannot put him down to the floor. Perez escapes, and he resets and rushes Almabayev again with a wide left hook. Perez mixes up his punches to the body and head with his flurries, and he ends a combination with a front kick. Almabayev kicks him in the ribs and just misses a spinning back fist. Perez darts in recklessly, arms wide, and he hurls punches as Almabayev shells up and rebounds off the wall.
Perez kicks and loads up on punches, allowing Almabayev to time knees up the middle for counters. Perez ignores them and fires off hard calf kicks, and he sways back to watch a huge right hand whiz past his face. Almabayev swings hard with his right, and Perez chips away with his kick. Almabayev kicks back, and they trade hooks at the same time. A pair of tiny tornadoes—not of the Tecia Pennington variety—go at it like whirling dervishes or Beyblades, depending on one’s preferred reference. They lay into one another violently, and neither appears to gain the upper hand as the pendulum swings back and forth. Almabayev times a takedown when Perez swings for the fences, tripping away the Californian’s balance and placing him gingerly to the mat. Perez elbows him in the back of the head a few times, and remains elbowing and not settling until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almabayev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almabayev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Almabayev
Round 2
The flyweights clap hands, and Perez is loaded for bear and ready to unload. He proceeds to stalk Almabayev down and let his hands go. Almabayev is more than prepared with his uppercut to counter, although he takes a low kick and a right hand that put him on the floor. Perez dives down with a blistering right hand, and Almabayev shakes it off and bursts back to his feet. Perez sprints at his foe and wraps him up with a body lock to wrest him to the mat. Almabayev once more is able to get up without taking a lot of damage, and he pays Perez back with an uppercut and a right hook. Perez swings for the bleachers back at him, and their heads clack together when letting loose. Almabayev gets off another uppercut, and he reaches Perez at the end of a right hand. Perez practically runs at the retreating Almabayev to hit him back, seemingly possessing the strategy of trying to give Almabayev one back every time Almabayev strikes him. Almabayev spins with a well-timed back kick that pounds into the liver, and Perez does not love this and keeps a stiff upper lip before rushing Almabayev and tackling him to the floor.
Perez establishes himself on top, attacking with punches and elbows when he manages to find an opening. Almabayev elbows him off his back, and several of them bang into the back of Perez’ head, drawing a warning. Almabayev turns to his knees to get up, and Perez wraps him up with a head lock and knees him in the forehead. Almabayev swings his way out of the position and backs off Perez with his blows. Another spinning kick from the Kazakh misses the mark, so he shoots for a single. Perez hops around and puts his back to the wall to stay afloat, and he elbows Almabayev in the dome before letting go. Almabayev drives an uppercut home, and Perez goes for his own single that he uses to bowl Almabayev to the wall. Almabayev counters with a trip takedown, and the back-and-forth round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 3
The round kicks off with another spinning wheel kick from Almabayev, which stuns Perez and opens him up to danger. Perez staggers to the side and gathers his thoughts to shoot in for a double.
Almabayev leaps in the air to snatch up a flying guillotine choke, wrapping his legs around the waist and wrenching the grip with all of his might. Perez, who knows his goose is cooked as the choke is vice-like and about to deplete him of his consciousness, has no choice but to tap out while still standing up.
This marks the fifth time that Perez has had to surrender because someone had control of his neck, and it is undoubtedly the biggest win of the career of “Zulfikhar.” On a two-fight win streak, he calls for a title shot and a post-fight bonus.
The Official Result
Asu Almabayev def. Alex Perez R3 0:22 via Submission (Flying Guillotine Choke)
Angelo picks Asu Almabayev over Alex Perez, calling it an easy win. He criticizes Perez's continued employment and describes Almabayev as a flashy striker and dominant grappler with strong pressure and takedowns. Perez's leg kicks and boxing won't work against Almabayev's aggression. Angelo expects a decision win for Almabayev.
Big Brady leans Asu Almabayev by second-round submission, citing Perez's injury history and submission vulnerabilities. He expects Almabayev to get the fight to the ground and submit Perez, who has tapped out five times. He notes Perez's takedown defense but believes Almabayev will find a way.
Cody picks Alex Perez confidently, noting his world-class skills despite injury history. He believes Perez is the better striker and grappler, and that Almabayev is one-dimensional with low volume. Cody thinks Perez can stuff takedowns and outpoint Almabayev, and the plus money is worth the risk.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Almabayev but emphasizing that if Perez is in shape and healthy, Almabayev doesn't have a game to beat him. He notes Perez's injuries and the fact that he gets caught in subs or blasted by bigger punchers, but doesn't get controlled and out-wrestled. He calls it a good booking.
Lucrative James picks Asu Almabayev but with hesitation. He notes Perez's tendency to give up his back and get submitted, and his recent knee surgery. He believes Almabayev's grappling will be the difference, predicting a submission or close decision. He acknowledges Perez could win on the feet early.
Almabayev has a better gas tank and scrambling ability. Perez is coming off a knee injury and layoff. Almabayev's speed, power, and grappling should overwhelm Perez, leading to a decision win.
Paul picks Alex Perez, citing his superior striking and wrestling. He notes that Almabayev relies on takedowns and has poor striking volume. Paul believes Perez can defend takedowns and win on the feet, and the plus money is attractive.
The MMA Guru picks Asu Almabayev over Alex Perez, citing Almabayev's well-rounded game and ability to mix takedowns with striking. He questions Perez's inactivity and believes Almabayev's pressure will be too much. He predicts a 29-28 decision win.
Zane picks Almabayev on 'vibes' due to Perez's injury history and unreliability. He notes that if Perez is healthy, Almabayev's game may not beat him, but he doesn't trust Perez to hold up. He mentions Almabayev's submission skills but says he's not a submission hunter, and that Perez has been competitive but plagued by injuries.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 41 of 77 | 53% | 45 of 81 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 31 of 66 | 46% | 43 of 78 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 23 of 43 | 53% | 27 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 18 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 25 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 41 of 77 | 53% | 22 of 49 | 10 of 13 | 9 of 15 | 31 of 64 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 31 of 66 | 46% | 25 of 57 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 28 of 59 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tatsuro Taira | 23 of 43 | 53% | 9 of 23 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 8 | 16 of 34 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 17 of 43 | 39% | 14 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tatsuro Taira | 18 of 34 | 52% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 15 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 14 of 23 | 60% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-185), Perez (+154)
Round 1
The final fight of the evening comes in a rare non-title flyweight tilt, with former title challenger Perez (25-8, 7-4 UFC) coming in on short notice. He will try to hand high-flying unbeaten Japanese contender Taira (15-0, 5-0 UFC) his first pro loss. Action is sure to come from these two fighters, but before it does, they come together in front of referee Herb Dean to hear their final instructions and bump fists. It’s on with the show. While Taira is in the center of the cage, he steps back when a leg kick flies by. He throws one back, and Perez targets his front leg once more. The former title challenger goes after one more kick, and the two end up closed in on one another. Taira tries to set up the Thai clinch, and Perez dirty boxes and fights off level changes until he can break away. Perez sneaks in a knee on the break, and he digs several punches to the body. Taira pushes him away and lines up a power right hand, and Perez ducks and thwacks his front leg wither another two kicks. Taira splits the guard with two punches, and Perez darts at him with three punches, landing the third of them. Taira sticks out a jab and a head kick, and Perez rings his bell with two compact hooks. Perez again crowds him throwing bombs, and Taira gets his head knocked around briefly before disengaging. Taira settles down and jabs a few times, but Perez blasts with a number of uppercuts. Taira aims a knee to the head to break off the clinch, and he keeps his jab flowing. Taira follows one jab with a right hand, and he dodges the counter one-two. Taira rails his man with a sharp uppercut, and he finds another as Perez backpedals. Taira slaps the front leg with a kick, and Perez returns fire with one before charging in to tie him up. Taira cannot hold on, and Perez escapes and darts forward with his hands flying. Taira pushes off and swipes his fingers into the Californian’s eye, and Dean calls time. Perez uses a cloth brought in from the doctor to wipe his eye clean, and Dean goes over to warn Taira. After about a minute, Perez is good to go. Perez swings hard with punches to the body and scoops the Japanese fighter up to dump him on the floor. Taira attempts to sweep, but he settles for standing up and getting away. Perez pushes out a front kick and dodges a head kick as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 2
Perez rushes out of his corner to invite a glove touch, and it is accepted as Dean warns Taira for outstretched fingers. Perez swings wildly with wide punches, and Taira spins him around with a leg kick. Taira snipes him on the way in with a right hand, and he appears to push off and poke the eye again. Perez complains it was a foul, and Dean calls time and asks for replay to check it. The replay shows the eye poke, and Dean goes over to Taira to give him a hard warning. They start up after around 45 seconds, and Perez re-measures his jab. Taira holds his left hand out and blasts the former title challenger with an uppercut, but Perez pays it no mind and unleashes a series of haymakers to knock Taira back. Taira scores a low kick and lands with his own heavy blows, but Perez lands the heavier of the two and it shows by Taira’s face changing shade. Perez works on the front leg with kicks on the inside and out, and Perez gets stood up on the way back with one coming back his direction. Perez shrugs off an uppercut to lob bombs, and he catches Taira flush and lets the counters graze his cheeks. Taira rushes at him and takes the fight down, and as soon as Perez turns, Taira takes his back while standing. Taira leans to one side in hopes of wrenching Perez down, and he keeps the body triangle tight while softening Perez up.
Taira keeps leaning to one side to tug Perez off-balance, and Perez falls awkwardly when leaning back. As he does, Perez’ right knee figuratively explodes, and Perez lets out a screech of pain as Taira is on top of him. Perez taps the canvas to make sure that Dean is getting involved, and Taira dismounts him and looks on with concern. Perez rolls to his back and writhes in agony, clutching his damaged limb as medical professionals swarm him.
This is an unusual situation because it is not simply a freak occurrence from a strange landing, but rather something Taira set up to target one leg and drag him down in that specific angle. Whether he was intending on causing fight-ending injury or simply moving to a more dominant position, it worked, and Taira moves his stellar undefeated record to 16-0 while passing the largest test of his career. The victorious youngster from Japan shouts on the interview that he is very happy, and he asks for a title shot. He confidently declares that he wants everyone in the flyweight division to line up in front of him, and he will mow them down. When Taira gets back into the cage again, it will likely be in a huge fight at 125 pounds. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.
The Official Result
Tatsuro Taira def. Alex Perez R2 2:59 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Angelo picks Alex Perez as an underdog, arguing that Perez has shown he can defend takedowns against elite wrestlers like Muhammad Mokaev. He believes Taira's takedowns are not as good, and Perez has the striking advantage. He notes Perez's recent knockout win and experience. He thinks the plus 170 odds offer value and plans to place a bet.
Cody picks Alex Perez as a plus money underdog, arguing that flyweight fights are always close and Perez is a veteran with a wrestling base, BJJ black belt, and decent striking. He highlights Perez's 82% takedown defense and notes that Taira's wrestling is not good enough to take him down. Cody also points out that Taira struggled with Edgar Chairez, got dropped, and showed questionable cardio, which could be a problem in a five-round fight. He believes Perez's experience and power will take over as the fight goes on.
Daniel Vreeland acknowledges Alex Perez's resurgence and boxing/wrestling advantages but leans toward Taira due to his youth, reach, defensive striking, and opportunistic finishing ability. He notes Taira's incremental development and believes he can get past Perez, possibly by submission. However, he admits it could be a vet lesson and is not fully confident.
Jacob picks Tatsuro Taira, arguing that Perez has been outgrappled by top competition and Taira is more well-rounded than Mokaev. He believes Taira's striking and grappling are superior, and he will set up takedowns with strikes. He thinks Perez's takedown defense won't hold up and Taira will submit him. He is confident and offers to bet openly.
Perez's defensive grappling will shut down Taira's wrestling, which I'm not sold on. In the striking, Perez will dictate the pace with calf kicks to slow Taira and then open up his hands, finishing Taira in the third or fourth round.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating that Taira is a prospect who may look like a stud one day but the level of competition Perez has faced is far superior. He notes that Perez has been fighting the best in the division for years and is a big-time gatekeeper. Paul acknowledges the risk of Taira getting takedowns and taking the back, but he is still with Cody on betting Alex Perez.
The MMA Guru picks Tatsuro Taira by TKO. He believes Taira is better technically on the feet than Muhammad Mokaev, and that his grappling is more opportunistic and technical. He notes Taira's ability to take the back, reverse positions, and his good right hand. He thinks Perez may crumble under pressure and that Taira's youth and improvement over his career, plus having more notice for this fight, will lead to a finish. He also mentions the narrative of Taira opening doors for Japanese MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 0 | 22 of 55 | 40% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 28 of 71 | 39% | 28 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 13 of 35 | 37% | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alex Perez | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 15 of 36 | 41% | 15 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 22 of 55 | 40% | 13 of 44 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 28 of 71 | 39% | 11 of 50 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 10 | 28 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 10 of 31 | 32% | 6 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 13 of 35 | 37% | 4 of 23 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alex Perez | 12 of 24 | 50% | 7 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 15 of 36 | 41% | 7 of 27 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Mark Smith will referee the main event. Perez takes the center of the cage and starts poking with his jab. Nicolau is patient and not firing back. Perez fires a straight right and connects with a low kick. Nicolau eats another leg kick. Perez fires off a series of body punches. Perez lands a nice uppercut and then a right to the body. Nicolau lands a huge counter with a left hook, but it's really his only punch this round, so he needs a lot more than just that. Perez lands a leg kick and then eats one from Nicolau.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 2
Perez comes out pumping his jab and eats a leg kick. An uppercut slips past Nicolau's guard. Perez lands two leg kicks and is still the much more active fighter. Nicolau throws a 1-2 that goes off the guard of Perez. Nicolau eats a step-in right hand but fires off a leg kick. Perez lands two hooks and finishes the combination with a leg kick. Nicolau lands a push kick.
Perez hurts Nicolau with an overhand right. Perez follows up with a right hook, and Nicolau is out cold.
What a KO!
The Official Result
Alex Perez def. Matheus Nicolau via KO (Punch); R2, 2:16.
Angelo picks Matheus Nicolau, citing his technical striking, accuracy, and grappling chops. He acknowledges Alex Perez is a dog who looked good against Muhammad Mokaev, but notes Perez didn't let his hands go in that fight. He worries about Nicolau coming off a knockout loss, which could affect his chin or aggression. He expects Nicolau to be calculated and patient, using his speed and technique to win.
Cody picks Nicolau as the more well-rounded fighter, better suited for five rounds. He notes Perez's weight cut issues and short notice, and believes Nicolau's efficiency and durability will carry him to a decision or late stoppage.
Daniel believes Nicolau has no technical weaknesses, with excellent boxing, takedown defense from Nova União, and strong jiu-jitsu. He notes Nicolau's chin is a concern but thinks Perez is overrated and that Nicolau will control the tempo and outpoint him. He picks Nicolau to win and take the next step toward title aspirations.
Perez has a wrestling and grappling advantage over Nicolau. He should be able to take the fight to the ground and control Nicolau from top position. Nicolau is the better striker, but Perez's wrestling should be the difference. I expect Perez to win on the scorecards, possibly with a TKO if he batters the lead leg.
Paul agrees with Cody, citing Nicolau's cleaner, more efficient work over five rounds. He highlights Perez's durability issues and low volume, and expects a decision win for Nicolau with a possible late stoppage if Perez tires.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau, calling him the more technical and well-rounded fighter. He notes that Nicolau has only been beaten by flash KOs (head kick from Dustin Ortiz, knee from Brandon Royval) and is otherwise undefeated since 2012. He criticizes Alex Perez as basic and lacking dynamic finishing ability. He predicts a decision win for Nicolau, possibly 4-1.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Mokaev | 0 | 30 of 87 | 34% | 47 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:44 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 47 of 104 | 45% | 56 of 119 | 3 of 20 | 15% | 0 | 0 | 4:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad Mokaev | 0 | 12 of 41 | 29% | 12 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 29 of 60 | 48% | 32 of 69 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 | |
| 2 | Muhammad Mokaev | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 9 of 18 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:59 | |
| 3 | Muhammad Mokaev | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 15 of 32 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Mokaev | 30 of 87 | 34% | 22 of 73 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 9 | 19 of 74 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 10 |
| Alex Perez | 47 of 104 | 45% | 34 of 85 | 9 of 12 | 4 of 7 | 31 of 81 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad Mokaev | 12 of 41 | 29% | 5 of 28 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 8 | 12 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 29 of 60 | 48% | 24 of 51 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 14 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 20 | |
| 2 | Muhammad Mokaev | 13 of 29 | 44% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 6 |
| Alex Perez | 8 of 17 | 47% | 3 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Muhammad Mokaev | 5 of 17 | 29% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Alex Perez | 10 of 27 | 37% | 7 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mokaev (-360), Perez (+285)
Round 1
The top of the flyweight division may have a bit of a logjam, the victor of this next matchup might nose in as a contender depending on the result. Perez (24-7, 6-3 UFC) might have come up short to the champ and then lost in his next fight against the current champion, but former title challengers tend to have shorter roads back to contention than the rest of the flock. On the other hand, brash unbeaten Mokaev (11-0, 1 NC; 5-0 UFC) could punch his ticket to a crack at gold with a mighty triumph tonight. Referee Keith Peterson draws the charge of what should be the most divisionally relevant match of the evening, and the two men touch ‘em up before getting after it. There will be zero nonsense going forward. Mokaev is quick to lead off with a leg kick, and when it misses, he aims a second that does reach the target. Perez paws out and motions that he suffered an eye poke, and Mokaev lets him recover when Peterson does not call it. Perez launches a head kick, Mokaev responds, and Perez falls over when throwing a kick back. Mokaev lets him up, so they can continue trading single strikes one after the other. Perez charges with a punch combination that all comes up short, and Mokaev responds with a heavy left hand that just grazes past the target. Perez continues powering forward, and Mokaev drives a knee to the side that hurts Perez. Mokaev lands a few more strikes before changing levels, and Perez shuts him down and escapes to gather his thoughts. Perez sits down on a strong right hand that stuns Mokaev momentarily, and Mokaev grabs hold of him and tries to take him down in a body lock. A wild scramble endues, and Perez fights off the attempt and gets to back his feet to land a right hand on the eye socket. Perez shuts down another distant shot from his opponent and makes him pay with a right hand on the exit. Perez whiffs on two punches on the way in, and he slaps a leg kick on the lead leg of his opponent. Mokaev goes up high with a kick that glances off the raised guard, and he darts in with a guard. Perez surges ahead, and Mokaev hops away from every punch but the last one. Mokaev eats it and shoots low for a single. Perez stands him up, but on the second effort, he gets dragged to his backside. Mokaev wraps his hands around Perez’ legs, and Perez turns to his side to get to his knees. Mokaev leaps on top when Perez scoots his way to the fence, and he takes three-quarter mount and starts raining down left hands. Peterson is watching very closely as Mokaev clubs his opponent with punches and a few elbows until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev
Round 2
The flyweights race towards one another to offer their glove touch and engage. Perez jabs his way forward, and he backs off when eating a front kick to the body. Perez lands a punch as Mokaev shoots, and Mokaev instead takes Perez’ back standing and briefly threatens a choke. Perez scrapes him off the side using the fence, and he leans himself on it and turns around when Mokaev changes levels. Perez shoves his man to his seat, and when Mokaev jumps back up, Perez sweeps the leg like Mortal Kombat to knock Mokaev back over again. Mokaev stands and attempts a takedown, and Perez shuts him down and swings wildly with a huge right hand. Perez catches his foe at the end of a left hand, and Mokaev drops to his knees and changes levels for a single. Perez hits the ground and bounces up, allowing Mokaev to swirl around and get hold of him from behind. Mokaev clings to the Californian, imposing his weight but not getting him back down to the ground. Perez snatches up a guillotine choke out of nowhere and pushes Mokaev down to the ground, and he abandons it to press Mokaev down to his knees and try to push him over. Mokaev turns the corner and attacks a single, and Perez’ elbows to the side of his head make him change his mind. Perez frames off and knees the body, and he is shoved away. Mokaev looses a single overhand right that is easily blocked, and Perez closes in and walks into a body kick. Perez tries to catch the younger man, but Mokaev is well out of the way before fists meet face. Mokaev resets and jabs, and he snaps out a body shot and a front kick to the same target. Perez blitzes and swings recklessly, and he succeeds in pushing Mokaev to the wall. Perez gets in several short uppercuts when Mokaev threatens with a takedown, and he hangs on with a potential submission until the close round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 3
The two men come together to hug it out before the round begins, and they back off and clap hands when Peterson clocks them in. Mokaev shrugs off a jab to plant two one-twos on the face, and Perez ignores them to plod forward. Perez connects with a left hand, and Mokaev falls to his knees potentially for a level change and not from damage. Perez sets up a guillotine choke that he uses more to keep his weight down to stop a takedown than to submit him. Mokaev explodes and turns the corner to take Perez’ back standing up, and Perez pops right back up when Mokaev sweeps him. Perez stands, and Mokaev hits a marvelous suplex. Perez does not stay grounded for more than seconds before popping up, and the two get back to striking range. Perez lands a shot, and Mokaev looks at him funny. Mokaev shoots in and is stuffed, and he backs off. Perez avoids a body shot, but Mokaev reaches him with an overhand right. Mokaev backs off and has a head kick land around the guard, and he attacks for a takedown that is not there. Perez stifles another attempt and keeps his man down on a knee, and Mokaev explodes into a single that also gets stopped in its tracks. Mokaev sticks out a one-two and shoots, and Perez chases after him taking strikes when not stopping takedowns. Perez peppers him with short shots, and he knees Mokaev in the head while Mokaev tries to keep his hand down. Peterson warns Perez from an illegal knee, and Mokaev spins around to stand up and grab Perez around the waist. This could be anyone’s fight, depending on how the grappling is scored.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev (29-28 Mokaev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev (29-28 Mokaev)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev (29-28 Mokaev)
The Official Result
Muhammad Mokaev def. Alex Perez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is very confident in Muhammad Mokaev, calling the -240 odds a discount. He notes Mokaev's dominant wrestling and composure, while Alex Perez hasn't won in four years and has no wins over active UFC fighters. He expects Mokaev to win despite sometimes making fights close.
Big Brady picks Mokaev, citing Perez's long layoff and 14 canceled bouts. He notes Perez has only 3 minutes of cage time in the last 4 years and was submitted quickly in his last two fights. Mokaev is younger, hungrier, and more active, with multiple submissions in the UFC. He expects Mokaev to submit Perez, possibly in the third round, but acknowledges the line might be off if the best version of Perez shows up.
Cody picks Perez as a dog, arguing that Mokaev has shown holes in recent fights and could have lost to Malcolm Gordon, Jafel Filho, and Tim Elliott. He notes that flyweight is the most competitive division and that Perez, despite the layoff, is only 31 and has fought top competition. He believes Perez's striking and grappling are superior to Mokaev's previous opponents and that the layoff may not be a negative if Perez used it to improve.
Mokaev is dominant in the grappling realm and good at finding submissions, but his striking is more flash than substance. He was nearly beaten by Tim Elliot, who caused scrambles and frustrations. Perez is a dangerous opponent who may be motivated to prove himself, but Mokaev should still win. The host expects the fight to go to the scorecards with Mokaev landing better damage and control, but it will be closer than the odds indicate.
Paul picks Mokaev but is hesitant due to Perez's long layoff and question marks. He notes Mokaev's youth and improvement but also his low volume and reliance on takedowns without much damage. He mentions the Apex favors Mokaev's style as there's no crowd to pressure the ref to stand them up. He ultimately sticks with Mokaev despite considering Perez.
The MMA Guru picks Mokaev to win by submission in the third round, following the trend of Mokaev's fights where he looks bad early but submits opponents late. He predicts Perez will win the first round, then Mokaev will chain wrestling in the second, and Perez will slow down and give up the neck for a rear-naked choke in the third.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 8 of 12 | 66% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 10 of 14 | 71% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 8 of 12 | 66% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 10 of 14 | 71% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pantoja (-180), Perez (+155)
Round 1
Just like the previous match, the victor in this contest – depending on who gets their hand raised – could be next for the belt, depending on how the Deiveson Figueiredo situation shakes out. Both Pantoja (24-5, 8-3 UFC) and Perez (24-6, 6-2 UFC) have suffered losses to that man in the last couple years, while the former has beaten ex-champ Brandon Moreno already – twice if you include the victory on “The Ultimate Fighter.” The logjam of the division will be cleared up a little more after this fight ends, and referee Kerry Hatley is ready to keep the pace with these two 125-pound contenders. They touch gloves, and come out fighting. The brawl is instant, as Pantoja charges out swinging hammers. Perez is right there to throw down with him, and they proceed to smash one another in the face with punches in bunches. A brief lull after the wild early exchange leads to Pantoja changing levels, tripping Perez, and circling around to take Perez’ back standing. The Brazilian sets up a body lock and he starts busting Perez upside the head. Pantoja changes things up with a palm-to-palm face crank, and he makes Perez’s life miserable as he crushes on it with all his might. When that does not succeed, “The Cannibal” snatches up a neck crank with a grip on the other side, and he crushes down with his forearm. Perez leans back, struggling to stay afloat, and the crank is not even under the chin. It does not matter for Pantoja, who forces Perez to say “matte” and live to fight another day. This is a remarkable win for Pantoja, making a statement and shouting in his post-fight interview that he is the next flyweight champion. It may be hard to argue that he should be up next, after blasting through a former title challenger in about 90 seconds.
The Official Result
Alexandre Pantoja def. Alex Perez R1 1:31 via Submission (Neck Crank)
Big Brady picks Alexandre Pantoja to win by second-round submission. He considers Pantoja underrated, noting his wins over Moreno and Kara-France. He highlights Pantoja's durability and elite grappling, while Perez has been submitted multiple times. He expects Pantoja to mix in takedowns and eventually submit Perez.
Cody picks Pantoja, citing Perez's long layoff (two years), multiple fight cancellations, and a bad weight miss. He notes that Perez is talented but we don't know where he's at. Pantoja is a junkyard dog with good power, grappling, and improving cardio. He thinks Pantoja will clip Perez, hurt him, and possibly get a submission. He also mentions that the -180 price might be a bit steep but still favors Pantoja.
Daniel is high on Pantoja, calling him extremely underrated and talented. He notes Pantoja has beaten both Moreno and Kara-France on TUF and in the UFC, and has wins over Manel Kape and Brandon Royval. He thinks Pantoja will submit Perez after a brief striking exchange. He questions Perez's ability when opponents stand up to him, citing the Benavidez and Figueiredo fights. However, he missed the line at -150 and refuses to force a bet at -185, so he passes on betting.
Preet picks Pantoja, seeing either a club-and-sub or submission victory via grappling scrambles. He acknowledges Perez's skills—heavy hands, wrestling, calf kicks—but thinks Pantoja's opportunistic grappling and finishing ability will prevail. He finds the fight volatile and is confused by the totals, but ultimately sides with Pantoja.
Paul also picks Pantoja, echoing concerns about Perez's inactivity and weight issues. He notes that Perez is talented but hasn't fought in two years and missed weight in his last attempt. Pantoja has advantages in power and grappling, and Paul expects Pantoja to clip him with something and possibly get a submission. He says until he sees Perez on the scale, he can't trust him.
The MMA Guru picks Alexandre Pantoja by 29-28 decision. He expects Pantoja to win the first two rounds with takedowns, back takes, and body kicks, while Perez's leg kicks become a factor in round three. Perez may win the third round, but Pantoja's early work secures the win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alex Perez | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 5 of 8 | 62% | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 6 of 14 | 42% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 5 of 8 | 62% | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Perez | 6 of 14 | 42% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
After a long journey, we have arrived to the main event of UFC 255. A flyweight championship bout tops this card, as “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo (19-1, 8-1 UFC) aims to record his first defense against the first fighter from Dana White’s Contender Series to ever get a UFC title shot in Perez (24-5, 6-1 UFC). Keeping this headliner on the up-and-up is referee Marc Goddard, and the glove touch precedes the final action for the evening. Hang on tight. Perez begins with a whiffing body kick, and Figueiredo misses with one of his own. Figueiredo slaps the body with a kick, and Perez charges in with punches but just misses. Figueiredo circles away to avoid a few shots, and Figueiredo kicks again to the body. Figueiredo lands a punch that may have hurt Perez’ eye, and he smells blood and attacks. The champ targets the body, and Perez kicks to the leg and then the body heavily. Perez ducks under a looping right hand and pursues a takedown, but Figueiredo keeps upright by hopping around and grabbing the fence. Goddard slaps his hand away, and Figueiredo falls over and attacks a leg lock. Perez twists through it and climbs down into his opponent’s full, closed guard. “Deus da Guerra” snatches up a guillotine choke and squeezes with everything he has. Perez gets to one knee as the Brazilian uses a vice-like grip to crush his opponent, and before Perez can stand or pop his head out, he is forced to surrender. In no time at all, Figueiredo defends his title against a tough challenger, and did so with style points. The champ has now finished his opponent in each of his last four victories, and may have tied the division’s all-time finish record in the process. In victory, Figueiredo says he is ready for Moreno, who won earlier tonight, and asks that UFC President Dana White makes it happen. With this event concluding with a pair of 125-pound title fights in the books, we will see you next week for an ESPN2 card topped off by a heavyweight rumble.
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Alex Perez R1 1:57 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Big Brady picks Deiveson Figueiredo to win inside the distance. He notes Figueiredo is a killer with heavy hands and a great submission game, while Perez has been submitted three times and is stepping up in competition. He thinks Perez will shoot takedowns and get caught.
Daniel picks Figueiredo, citing his killer instinct and improved nutrition. He notes Perez has a chin issue and was dropped by a head clash. He believes Figueiredo's power and pressure will be too much, and that he will be a long-reigning champion.
The host picks Alex Perez to win by decision, seeing value at plus 250. He believes Perez has the wrestling and calf kicks to trouble Figueiredo, and that the line is skewed by recency bias. He notes Perez's win over Formiga (who beat Figueiredo) and thinks he can implement a game plan of leg kicks and takedowns.
The MMA Guru picks Deiveson Figueiredo to win by first-round submission (guillotine choke). He believes Figueiredo will rock Perez, who will then shoot a bad takedown and get caught. He notes Perez's history of being guillotined and Figueiredo's power and submission skills.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Alex Perez as an underdog, arguing that Perez has shown he can defend takedowns against elite wrestlers like Muhammad Mokaev. He believes Taira's takedowns are not as good, and Perez has the striking advantage. He notes Perez's recent knockout win and experience. He thinks the plus 170 odds offer value and plans to place a bet.
Cody picks Alex Perez as a plus money underdog, arguing that flyweight fights are always close and Perez is a veteran with a wrestling base, BJJ black belt, and decent striking. He highlights Perez's 82% takedown defense and notes that Taira's wrestling is not good enough to take him down. Cody also points out that Taira struggled with Edgar Chairez, got dropped, and showed questionable cardio, which could be a problem in a five-round fight. He believes Perez's experience and power will take over as the fight goes on.
Daniel Vreeland acknowledges Alex Perez's resurgence and boxing/wrestling advantages but leans toward Taira due to his youth, reach, defensive striking, and opportunistic finishing ability. He notes Taira's incremental development and believes he can get past Perez, possibly by submission. However, he admits it could be a vet lesson and is not fully confident.
Jacob picks Tatsuro Taira, arguing that Perez has been outgrappled by top competition and Taira is more well-rounded than Mokaev. He believes Taira's striking and grappling are superior, and he will set up takedowns with strikes. He thinks Perez's takedown defense won't hold up and Taira will submit him. He is confident and offers to bet openly.
Perez's defensive grappling will shut down Taira's wrestling, which I'm not sold on. In the striking, Perez will dictate the pace with calf kicks to slow Taira and then open up his hands, finishing Taira in the third or fourth round.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating that Taira is a prospect who may look like a stud one day but the level of competition Perez has faced is far superior. He notes that Perez has been fighting the best in the division for years and is a big-time gatekeeper. Paul acknowledges the risk of Taira getting takedowns and taking the back, but he is still with Cody on betting Alex Perez.
The MMA Guru picks Tatsuro Taira by TKO. He believes Taira is better technically on the feet than Muhammad Mokaev, and that his grappling is more opportunistic and technical. He notes Taira's ability to take the back, reverse positions, and his good right hand. He thinks Perez may crumble under pressure and that Taira's youth and improvement over his career, plus having more notice for this fight, will lead to a finish. He also mentions the narrative of Taira opening doors for Japanese MMA.
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