Tatsuro Taira will look to cement himself as No. 1 contender at UFC Fight Night 244.
Taira (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) takes on former title challenger Brandon Royval (16-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the Oct. 12 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Another pivotal flyweight clash between former champion Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi headlines UFC Fight Night 246 on Nov. 2. But with Steve Erceg receiving the most recent title shot against champion Alexandre Pantoja, Taira knows there’s no particular direction when it comes to the flyweight division.
He plans on making himself undeniable against Royval.
“Honestly, I was like, why? To be honest, when I saw that match (Pantoja vs. Erceg), I was a little surprised,” Taira told MMA Junkie Radio through an interpreter. “But it’s true. In the flyweight division in the UFC, there’s no clear contender. So, I just want to be that very clear contender. … I hope they will give me a title match after this.”
Tairia, who’s finished four of his past five fights, is confident that he can be the one to take out Pantoja, who’s outlasted his past three opponents in five-round battles.
“Looking at that title fight hopefully as a contender, I think Pantoja’s fights have all been five rounds,” Taira said. “It’s been all tough rounds, tough fights. But I think honestly, me, I should be able to finish him in three rounds.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for the UFC Fight Night 244.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Tatsuro Taira aims to emerge as ‘very clear contender’ with UFC Fight Night 244 win win over Brandon Royval
