Tatsuro Taira eyes Japan title defence and backs Pantoja for next shot
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · May 3
Tatsuro Taira eyes Japan title defence and backs Pantoja for next shot
7 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · May 3
The 26-year-old Japanese flyweight faces champion Joshua Van at UFC 328 on Saturday after Van's minor injury delayed their title bout.
Taira said beating Van should lead to a fight with former champion Alexandre Pantoja, whose UFC 323 loss came after a freak injury 26 seconds into round one.
He also named Kyoji Horiguchi as his dream opponent for a future defence in Japan, where he hopes a UFC return could follow if he wins the belt.
Is Tatsuro Taira overlooking the current champion by planning future dream fights against Pantoja and Horiguchi?
Will Joshua Van legitimize his controversial title, or is he just a placeholder for the division's legends?