News Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira set to make UFC debut April 30 vs. Carlos Candelario

[TorontoTO]

Rising undefeated Japanese star Tatsuro Taira has his first UFC assignment.

At UFC Fight Night on April 30, Taira (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will make his promotional debut against fellow newcomer and former CES MMA standout Carlos Candelario (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in a three-round flyweight bout.

The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.

Two people with knowledge of the booking recently confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. The fight first appeared on UFCStats.com.

Taira, 22, is the Shooto flyweight champion. Out of his 10 professional wins, Taira has finished eight opponents, including five submissions and three knockouts. Notable wins include Ryuya Fukuda, Kiyotaka, Shimizu, and Yamato Takagi.

As for Candelario, the Connecticut-based fighter became the first athlete to receive a UFC contract after a loss on Dana White’s Contender Series. Against Victor Altamirano, Candelario lost a decision. However, UFC president Dana White disagreed with the judges and awarded both fighters UFC contracts instead.

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022...ro-taira-vs-carlos-candelario-booked-april-30

 

[Reign009]

Tatsuro Tairo: "Where you at Carlos?!"

 

[mmaknight]

I don't prospect hunt like I once had fun doing.. But I was bored. He looks fine. Tatsuro definitely has all the tools, he just needs a shtick now.

 

[Reign009]

I don't prospect hunt like I once had fun doing.. But I was bored. He looks fine. Tatsuro definitely has all the tools, he just needs a shtick now.

I got you, homie. See the post right above.

 

[Kryptt]

Will be interesting to see how he fares.

Really love seeing these guys pop up round the Heavies!

 

[markys00]

I don't prospect hunt like I once had fun doing.. But I was bored. He looks fine. Tatsuro definitely has all the tools, he just needs a shtick now.

Is being japanese not enough nowadays?

 

[mmaknight]

I got you, homie. See the post right above.

Yea lol, I saw that right after I posted.

 

[mmaknight]

Is being japanese not enough nowadays?

I don't think so. I've watched far too many MMA vs. traditional martial artists get wrecked over the years and it hurt their brand. I can't watch martial arts movies and be awed anymore after watching traditional dudes get hurt, badly.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

 

[Ares Black]

That is a guaranteed banger.

 

[D 1 Wrestler]

Is he going to be massively undersized like all of his predecessors?

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Is he going to be massively undersized like all of his predecessors?

He's not undersized for a Flyweight, no.

 

[Espresso]

I cant say Tatsuro in my head without a japanese Emperor from 1800s voice

Cool name

 

[fortheo]

Is he going to be massively undersized like all of his predecessors?

The typical MO for UFC signing Japanese fighters is that they either need to be undersized or past their prime. It seems like neither of these things apply to Tatsuro. Hopefully he can do well.

 

[TorontoTO]

I don't prospect hunt like I once had fun doing.. But I was bored. He looks fine. Tatsuro definitely has all the tools, he just needs a shtick now.

Bike gang member, ala Akira. He rolls up to the cage on a motorcycle with his crew

 

[mmaknight]

Bike gang member, ala Akira. He rolls up to the cage on a motorcycle with his crew

Sure. Why not. As long as it's something.