Tatsuro Taira

The native form of this personal name is Taira Tatsurō. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
Tatsuro Taira
Born (2000-01-27) January 27, 2000 (age 24)
Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Native name平良達郎
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
Bantamweight
Reach70 in (178 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofNaha, Okinawa, Japan
TeamThe Blackbelt Japan
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2018–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins16
By knockout5
By submission7
By decision4
Losses1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Tatsuro Taira (平良達郎, Taira Tatsurō, born January 27, 2000)[3] is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 18, 2024, he is #5 in the UFC flyweight rankings.[4] Taira is the first and only fighter to date born in the 2000s to fight in and win a UFC main event.

Background

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Taira started playing baseball in the third grade of elementary school but was not passionate about it and took a break in junior high school from club activities. Influenced by his older brother who was learning kickboxing at The Palaestra Okinawa, he started attending the gym in his first year of high school and trained in mixed martial arts under Ryota Matsune's guidance.[3][5] In 2017, he won the 11th Kyushu Amateur Shooto Championship tournament and the 24th All-Japan Amateur Shooto Championship tournament, and was promoted to the professional ranks with a record of ten wins in ten amateur Shooto fights.[6][7]

He lists Marlon Vera as his favorite fighter, and Vera himself sent a message to Taira in Japanese, saying "Thank you."[8]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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On August 3, 2018, he made his professional debut against Yo Otake in the first round of the flyweight division of the Shooto Rookie of the Year Tournament, winning by first-round triangle choke. On November 25, 2018, he rematched Ryu Oyakawa, whom he fought twice as an amateur, in the flyweight final of the Shooto Newcomer's Championship Tournament, winning by first-round guillotine choke. He won the flyweight rookie champion and MVP of the same year.[9]

On September 22, 2019, he fought Takahiro Kobori, ranked #8 in the Shooto World Flyweight Rankings, and won by TKO via ground & pound 60 seconds into the fight.

Taira was next scheduled to face Kiyotaka Shimizu at Shooto 0329 on March 29, 2020.[10] However, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] The bout was then rebooked to take place at Shooto 1123 on November 23, 2020 and he won the fight via unanimous decision.[12][13]

Won by rear-naked choke 61 seconds into the match against Yoshiro Maeda, ranked #5 in the world flyweight division by Shooto, on March 20, 2021.[14]

On July 4, 2021, he faced champion Tatsuya Fukuda at the Shooto World Flyweight Championship and won by first-round triangle choke to win the title.[15]

On November 6, 2021, he fought LFN flyweight champion Alfredo Muaiad at VTJ 2021 and won by first-round rear-naked choke.[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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On February 4, 2022, he signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC.[17]

On April 30, 2022, he was scheduled to fight Carlos Candelario at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Vera, but the fight was cancelled after Candelario pulled out due to food poisoning just before the event.[18]

The fight against Candelario was rescheduled for two weeks later on May 14, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[19]

On October 15, 2022, he faced C.J. Vergara at UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araújo, winning by armbar submission in the second round.[20] Taira won the Performance of the Night bonus.[21] The fight took place under the condition that Vergara pay 30% of the fight money to Taira because Vergara weighed 3 pounds over the flyweight limit at the previous day's weigh-in.[22]

On February 4, 2023, Taira faced Jesús Santos Aguilar at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac, winning by first-round triangle armbar.[23] In the process, he also won his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus.[24]

On May 21, 2023, at Professional Shooto 2023 Vol. 3, he vacated his Shooto Flyweight Championship, stating that he could not defend his Shooto title as he would be fighting in the UFC.[25]

On June 24, 2023, he was scheduled to face off against Kleydson Rodrigues at UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria, but the bout was canceled after Rodrigues weighed 3 pounds (1.3 kg) over the flyweight limit the day before the weigh-in.[26]

Taira was rebooked for a week later at UFC 290 against UFC newcomer Edgar Chairez in a 130-pound catchweight bout.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[28]

Taira was scheduled to face David Dvořák on October 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230.[29] However, the bout was cancelled for unknown reasons.[30]

Taira faced Carlos Hernandez on December 9, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 233[31] He won the fight via knockout in round two.[32]

Taira was scheduled to face Tim Elliott on May 18, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241.[33] However, due to Elliott's undisclosed injury, the bout was canceled.[34] Taira was then scheduled to face Joshua Van on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302.[34] The fight was then switched and Taira ended up headlining UFC on ESPN 58 against Alex Perez in the main event on June 15, 2024.[35] Taira won the fight by technical knockout as a result of Perez's knee injury in the second round.[36] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[37]

Taira faced former LFA Flyweight Champion and former UFC Flyweight Championship title contender Brandon Royval on October 12, 2024 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 244.[38] He lost the fight by split decision.[39] This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.[40]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
17 matches 16 wins 1 loss
By knockout 5 0
By submission 7 0
By decision 4 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–1 Brandon Royval Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira October 12, 2024 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 16–0 Alex Perez TKO (knee injury) UFC on ESPN: Perez vs. Taira June 15, 2024 2 2:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 15–0 Carlos Hernandez TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez December 9, 2023 2 0:55 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–0 Edgar Chairez Decision (unanimous) UFC 290 July 8, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Win 13–0 Jesús Santos Aguilar Submission (triangle armbar) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac February 4, 2023 1 4:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 12–0 C.J. Vergara Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araújo October 15, 2022 2 4:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (129 lb) bout; Vergara missed weight. Performance of the Night.
Win 11–0 Carlos Candelario Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić May 14, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–0 Alfredo Muaiad Submission (rear-naked choke) Vale Tudo Japan 2021 November 6, 2021 1 4:12 Tokyo, Japan Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Win 9–0 Ryuya Fukuda Submission (triangle choke) Shooto: 2021 Vol. 4 July 4, 2021 1 4:31 Osaka, Japan Return to Flyweight. Won the Shooto Flyweight Championship.
Win 8–0 Yoshiro Maeda Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 2021 Vol. 2 March 20, 2021 1 1:01 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–0 Kiyotaka Shimizu Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 2020 Vol. 7 November 23, 2020 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Bantamweight debut.
Win 6–0 Jared Almazan TKO (punches) Shooto: 2020 in Korakuen Hall January 26, 2020 2 0:19 Tokyo, Japan Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Win 5–0 Yamato Takagi TKO (punches) Shooto: The Shooto Okinawa Vol. 2 November 3, 2019 2 4:40 Okinawa, Japan
Win 4–0 Takahiro Kohori TKO (punches) Shooto: Border Season 11 the 3rd September 22, 2019 1 1:00 Osaka, Japan Return to Flyweight.
Win 3–0 Yuto Sekiguchi Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 27 June 8, 2019 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Strawweight debut.
Win 2–0 Ryo Oyakawa Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto: The Shooto Okinawa Vol. 1 November 25, 2018 1 3:24 Okinawa, Japan
Win 1–0 Yo Otake Submission (triangle choke) Shooto: This Is Shooto Vol. 2 August 3, 2018 1 2:46 Tokyo, Japan Flyweight debut.

[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com.
  2. ^ 青→紫 帯昇格しました✌︎ 平良達郎 (t.tatsurooo6) Instagram 2021年1月15日
  3. ^ a b "【Shooto】2019年中に伝えたかった声──沖縄編─01─平良達郎「修斗で王者になってから、ONE」". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  4. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  5. ^ "【プロフェッショナル修斗大会見所コラム到着】3・20修斗後楽園、王者・岡田が元DEEP王者・大塚を迎え撃つ！ 超新星・平良達郎vsレジェンド・前田吉朗も！ | SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス". SPICE（スパイス）｜エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  6. ^ "2017年度 全日本選手権大会の結果によるプロ昇格". 一般社団法人 日本修斗協会 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  7. ^ "『１８歳・平良達郎８/３（金）デビュー』". 沖縄県那覇市発 格闘技スクール 修斗＆柔術ジム Theパラエストラ沖縄 松根良太のブログ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  8. ^ "Humanizing Athletes: Tatsuro Taira". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  9. ^ "2018年度 新人王決定トーナメント三賞受賞者発表 日本修斗協会公認サイト | PRO SHOOTO MMA JAPAN - 修斗 - サステイン". www.shooto-mma.com. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  10. ^ "Tatsuro Taira faces Kiyotaka Shimizu in flyweight fight at Shooto 0329". asianmma.com. March 15, 2020.
  11. ^ "Shooto 0329 cancelled due to coronavirus". asianmma.com. March 27, 2020.
  12. ^ Mark Pickering (November 16, 2020). "Kiyotaka Shimizu ready to 'educate' undefeated Shooto prodigy". asianmma.com.
  13. ^ Mark Pickering (November 24, 2020). "Takafumi Otsuka gets lucky, Tatsuro Taira impresses again at Shooto 1123". asianmma.com.
  14. ^ "新星・平良達郎が日本軽量級の実力者・前田吉朗を61秒でスリーパー葬【修斗】 | TOKYO HEADLINE" (in Japanese). 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  15. ^ "【Shooto2021#04】TDから完封の三角絞め、平良達朗が福田龍彌からタップを奪い世界フライ級王座を奪取". MMAPLANET. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  16. ^ "【VTJ】平良達郎がチリ王者ムアイアドに一本勝ち「UFC王者目指す！」、宇野薫が敗れる、西川大和が一本勝ちで青木真也に対戦要求！ 青木も受託。佐藤将光が圧勝、宇佐美が連勝". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  17. ^ "【UFC】平良達郎がUFCと契約！「契約する事が目標ではない、UFCでベルトを巻くために今を生きている」──4.30オクタゴンデビューでどうなる？ フライ級戦線". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  18. ^ Law, Eddie (2022-04-30). "UFC Vegas 53: Tatsuro Taira vs. Carlos Candelario Off, Moved To May 14 Card". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  19. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2022-05-14). "UFC Vegas 54: Tatsuro Taira Impresses in Debut, Takes Carlos Candelario to Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  20. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-10-15). "UFC Vegas 62: Tatsuro Taira Submits C.J. Vergara, Remains Unbeaten". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  21. ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 212 bonuses: A rare feat is worth an extra $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  22. ^ "【UFC】平良達郎が体重超過のベルガラに一本勝ち！ オクタゴン連勝で「僕が日本人初のUFCチャンピオンになります。チャンピオンになるまで負けません」". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  23. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2023-02-04). "UFC Vegas 68: Tatsuro Taira Subs Jesus Aguilar for Third UFC Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  24. ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 218 bonuses: Serghei Spivac's domination worthy of an extra $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2023-02-05. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  25. ^ "【修斗】齋藤奨司が須藤拓真の足関節を凌ぎ打撃を入れて判定勝ち、田中半蔵がロイベに判定勝ち、齋藤翼がフェザー級で岡田達磨に一本勝ち、平良達郎がUFC4連勝に向け、修斗世界王座返上". ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  26. ^ "UFC Jacksonville weigh-in results: Josh Emmett, Ilia Topuria on point, 1 fight cancelled". www.mmafighting.com. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  27. ^ "Tatsuro Taira quickly rebooked for UFC 290 after recent last-minute cancellation". MMA Junkie. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  28. ^ "UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira Superb on Ground, Takes Decision Over Edgar Chairez". Cageside Press. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  29. ^ "David Dvořák vs Tatsuro Taira Set for UFC Vegas 81 on Oct 14". ITN WWE. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  30. ^ Staff (2023-09-22). "David Dvorak vs Tatsuro Taira Nixed from UFC Vegas 81". itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  31. ^ "Tatsuro Taira faces Carlos Hernandez at UFC Shanghai". Asian MMA. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  32. ^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-12-10). "UFC Vegas 83: Tatsuro Taira Stops Carlos Hernandez, Calls Out Muhammad Mokaev". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  33. ^ "Unbeaten Tatsuro Taira draws Tim Elliott at UFC Fight Night on May 18". MMA Junkie. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  34. ^ a b Lee, Alexander K. (2024-04-25). "UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier adds key prospect bout". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  35. ^ Riggs, Drake (2024-05-13). "Shake-up! UFC Vegas 93 re-arranges matchups, Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira now headlines". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  36. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-06-16). "UFC Vegas 93: Tatsuro Taira Takedown Leaves Alex Perez Unable to Continue". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  37. ^ a b "UFC on ESPN 58 bonuses: Westin Wilson's rare triangle-armbar misses the cut for extra $50K". MMA Junkie. 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  38. ^ Nolan King (2024-08-01). "UFC books Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira to headline October event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  39. ^ Staff (2024-10-12). "UFC Vegas 98: Brandon Royval First to Defeat Tatsuro Taira in Back-and-Forth Thriller". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  40. ^ a b Chris Taylor (2024-10-12). "UFC Vegas 98 Bonus Report: Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira earn FOTN honors". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  41. ^ a b c d "Record Book - UFC Flyweights". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  42. ^ "Tatsuro Taira". Sherdog. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
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