UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

@xavic 

most likely they'll settle with Ulanbekov v Perez even though nobody cares about 125lbs if it doesn't feature Kape, UFC need to get out of the apex ASAP, these cards recently have been atrocious. Ribas v Namajunas/Tuivasa v Tybura/Blanchfield Fiorot/Lewis v Nascimento all are very weak main events. UFC should have Top 5 fights only as headliners for fight nights, rather have consistent quality cards over one great card and 4 bad ones

Per Marcel:

Taira vs Van (scheduled for 302) is cancelled.

Alex Perez vs Tatsuro Taira will main event this card.

Josh Van will fight Tagir on this card

Hell yeah I like those fights better. I hated that they had van vs taira matched up & I hated even more that they were gonna be on the ****** early prelims for 302

This card is actually really good, don't mind an Alex Perez main event if he keeps showing up.

Also never forget you all slept on Perez last fight 😂😂

Perez vs. Taira
Tatsuro Taira, SUB, R2
Fun fight

Taira Gang All Day!!! Some people were born to shine and Taira is the Japanese star that the UFC has been looking for in its ranks for a long time (taking into account that Sakuraba won the Ultimate Tournament in Japan, but made almost all of his legend in Pride FC and the fact that Sexyama was in the media, but fell short of expectations). 

Taira is a wizard at grappling, has respectable power in his hands and has shown improvements in Striking. Perez is coming off a great victory and even though he went practically 4 years without winning a fight, since his fight against Formiga he has always faced high-caliber fighters in his weight category. The fight will be a test to see if Taira is ready for the big leap, from my point of view Taira has the grappling to put Pantoja in trouble and from my point of view he can be the most dangerous rival for Alexandre.

I'll believe Tagir is fighting Josh Van when the cage door closes and they're both locked in there. Tagir is the ultimate pull out artist and I can't imagine he's stoked about fighting a prospect when up until yesterday he probably thought he had a good shot at getting his first main event. 

Following that sentiment, Ali is a dumbass for setting Tagir up like this. He goes from fighting #5 to fighting a very dangerous, unranked prospect lol. I can’t believe Tagir allowed him to do that 

Shayilan Nuerdanbieke vs Melky Costa added

Perez vs. Taira
Tatsuro Taira, SUB, R3
Very cool to see Perez get a finish after how long he went without a win, but accepting this main bout with Taira might've been even more of a mistake than with Nicolau

Muniz vs. Aliskerov
Ikram Aliskerov, KO, R1
Feel like Aliskerov is going to find a combination in the later part of round 1, corner and unload onto Muniz

We need Matt Schnell and Sumudaerji out of the Top 15 Flyweight rankings.

IDK why they are trying to matchup actual prospects against each other 

* Edited at 05.14.2024, 11:54 PM ET *

Armfield vs. Hiestand
Garrett Armfield, DEC
Remember when you all faded Armfield vs Katona because he won TUF 2 times. 🤣🤣

@CrimsonChinGuru 

I picked Armfield and Perez their last fights, do I win a prize?

Perez vs. Taira
Tatsuro Taira, SUB, R1
Easy SUB for Taira

Saragih vs. Wilson
Westin Wilson, SUB, R1
Might be a crazy pick, but he's got the height & reach on his side. He's only faced killers in his first 2 bouts in the UFC. Can't fault those losses.

Nuerdanbieke vs. Costa
Shayilan Nuerdanbieke, DEC
Crazy record & experience

ngl if taira wins this fight in an impressive fashion he could get a #1 contender's fight in his next fight

lowkey could become a champ by the end of the year

@alphaenaz 

Taira is Japan's best hope at the moment for a UFC champ, can't really think of anyone else from Japan on the roster that looks as much of a threat as he does so it would be amazing if he can.

* Edited at 05.18.2024, 11:51 AM ET *

Remember when you guys all picked the favorite in that close fight 😂

Am I crazy? Why move Ulanbekov vs. Van to the prelims? I understand that there are many 125lb fights but why is Almabaev vs. Johnson above them? Are they just hoping Jose Johnson gets wrapped up and twister'd again?

I guess they are hoping that all of Kazakhstan watches their burger king commercials

* Edited at 05.22.2024, 1:19 PM ET *