MMA News

Tag: Ufc Flyweight

  • UFC Legend Wants One Big Test For Tatsuro Taira Before Any Talk Of Title Fight

    UFC Legend Wants One Big Test For Tatsuro Taira Before Any Talk Of Title Fight

    Tatsuro Taira may be eyeing a title shot, but a UFC legend believes he still has a point to prove.

    This past Saturday in the main event of UFC Vegas 108, Taira made a statement by submitting short-notice replacement Hyun Sung Park in the second round at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Both fighters started off cautiously, feeling each other out until “The Best” flipped the script with a pair of thudding right hands that dropped Park. From there, Taira dominated the remainder of the first round on the mat, relentlessly pressuring but unable to secure a finish.

    That changed quickly in the second. Taira grounded Park within seconds and wasted no time capitalizing, forcing a tap via neck crank just 1:06 into the round.

    In the aftermath of his victory, Taira used his Octagon interview to call for a UFC flyweight title shot against the winner of a potential matchup between reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja and rising contender Joshua Van.

    Michael Bisping, who had already urged Tatsuro Taira during the interview to log one more win before entering title contention, later expanded on his stance and explained why he believes the rising flyweight isn’t quite ready yet.

    Michael Bisping Believes Tatsuro Taira Should Face Brandon Moreno Before UFC Title Shot

    Speaking during the UFC Vegas 108 broadcast (via MMA Junkie), Michael Bisping explained why he believes Tatsuro Taira still has more to prove before earning a title shot, suggesting that a win over a former flyweight champion like Brandon Moreno would solidify his place in the division’s elite.

    “He calls for a title fight. I get that, but I was like, ‘You’ve got to have one more fight first,’” Bisping said. “I’m not the matchmaker. I don’t make those decisions, but that seems logical. It would seem he would have to have one more fight. Who should that fight be against?

    “I’ve got a choice: It is the former champion Brandon Moreno. Tell me you don’t want to see that fight? That would show you the level of Tatsuro Taira and also allow Brandon Moreno to get back in the mix – not that he’s not in the mix, of course.”

    With his dominant performance against Hyun Sung Park, “The Best” bounced back into the win column after tasting the first defeat of his professional career in a hard-fought split decision loss to former title challenger Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 98 in October 2024. Taira now holds a 7-1 record in the UFC, with five of those victories coming by way of finish.

    Image: @ufc/X

  • Possible Challenger For Pantoja Emerges As UFC ‘Close’ To Re-Signing Ex-Opponent Of Demetrious Johnson’s

    Possible Challenger For Pantoja Emerges As UFC ‘Close’ To Re-Signing Ex-Opponent Of Demetrious Johnson’s

    Alexandre Pantoja could soon have a new challenger for his UFC flyweight title, as the promotion is reportedly on the verge of re-signing a former contender to shake up the division.

    Pantoja defended his 125-pound title at UFC 310 last December, securing a dominant second-round submission win over promotional debutant and former RIZIN FF bantamweight champion Kai Asakura.

    According to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, the UFC is now reportedly “very close” to finalizing a deal to bring back Kyoji Horiguchi, marking his return to the promotion after nine years.

    Helwani reported that the UFC is in active discussions to schedule Horiguchi vs. Tagir Ulanbekov for a potential June clash, possibly at a Fight Night event that could mark the promotion’s historic debut in Azerbaijan.

    “The Typhoon” spent nearly four years on the UFC roster, compiling a decent 7-1 record. His lone defeat in the Octagon came at UFC 186 in April 2015, where he challenged MMA legend Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title, only to suffer a last-second submission loss.

    The 34-year-old Japanese powerhouse left the UFC on a three-fight win streak before signing with RIZIN FF, where he first captured the bantamweight title. He then had a brief stint in Bellator MMA, securing championship gold there as well. Upon returning to RIZIN, he cemented his legacy by claiming the flyweight belt.

    While it remains uncertain whether Horiguchi will need multiple fights or earn an immediate shot at the UFC flyweight title in his potential return, one thing is clear: he’s no stranger to the reigning champion. As a longtime training partner of ” The Cannibal’s” at American Top Team, Horiguchi is already well-versed in the champion’s skill set.

    “The Typhoon” last stepped into the ring at RIZIN 49: Decade in December, where he showcased his elite skills with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Nkazimulo Zulu

    Horiguchi boasts a impressive professional record of 35-5, with 15 wins by knockout and five by submission. Currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak, the Japanese standout hasn’t tasted defeat since April 2022, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Patchy Mix at Bellator 279.

  • Steve Erceg Backs ‘Precedent’ Set By Releasing Muhammad Mokaev After Alleged Behavior Toward UFC Staff: ‘The Way He Was Treating The Nutrition Team…’

    Steve Erceg Backs ‘Precedent’ Set By Releasing Muhammad Mokaev After Alleged Behavior Toward UFC Staff: ‘The Way He Was Treating The Nutrition Team…’

    Steve Erceg recently supported the UFC’s decision not to extend Muhammad Mokaev’s contract, highlighting his alleged misconduct towards staff as a justified move.

    Mokaev secured a unanimous decision victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304 last weekend in a bout marred by turmoil. The drama began at the hotel, where both fighters engaged in a heated altercation. “The Punisher” later confessed to initiating the scuffle by sucker-punching Kape. Tensions ran high as the two nearly clashed at several media events leading up to their bout.

    After his triumph over Kape, Mokaev announced the completion of his UFC contract and expressed hopes for a new deal. However, at the UFC 304 post-event press conference, UFC CEO Dana White responded to Mokaev’s statements, revealing that the undefeated flyweight would not receive a new contract offer.

    White conceded that Mokaev might not be the most captivating fighter on the roster but hinted that the 24-year-old Russian-born Englishman’s complications with the UFC go well beyond his fighting style in the Octagon.

    The UFC’s decision not to re-sign “The Punisher” sparked speculation that he had initiated talks with the PFL prior to the contract’s conclusion. However, these rumors were swiftly quashed by Mokaev’s manager, Tim Simpson, who firmly denied any such negotiations had taken place.

    “Astroboy” believes that the MMA promotion severed ties with Mokaev due to his inappropriate behavior towards staff and fighters alike…

    Erceg Claims Mokaev’s ‘Entitled’ Attitude Didn’t Sit Well With UFC

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist James Lynch, Erceg discussed Mokaev’s departure from the UFC, attributing the decision to “The Punisher’s” disruptive behavior. The Aussie remarked that Mokaev’s antics were a driving force behind the release and praised the organization for establishing a standard to serve as a cautionary example.

    “I was very surprised, but I think it’s a cool little precedent to set,” Erceg said. “You can’t go around starting fights and jumping other fighters. Getting a photo and then sucker-punching him [Kape] is unacceptable. It’s a coward mentality, I think. The way he treats people, I don’t know if fans get to see it, but he just seems like he’s a little entitled and thinks he’s very important, which I don’t particularly like, and obviously, the UFC didn’t like.”

    “Astroboy” further revealed that he shared a UFC Fight Night card with Mokaev this past March. During that time, he observed the Manchester native exhibiting poor conduct toward the UFC personnel.

    “I saw it when I fought on the same card as him, just the way he was treating the nutrition team and that sort of thing from the UFC. Just little things that are disrespectful. I thought it was odd, but he’s a young kid. Hopefully, he’ll learn from this moment.”

    It seems that Mokaev is indeed out of the UFC for now, as he was recently removed from the organization’s rankings in their latest update.

    However, with a promising career ahead and an impressive undefeated record, Mokaev’s considerable skillset is likely to attract plenty of interest from other promotions.

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