This Weekend's Apex Fight Night Actually Features Some Nice Booking

[Siver!]

UFC on ESPN 71 - Taira vs. Park

UFC on ESPN 71 - Taira vs. Park pits Tatsuro Taira vs Undefeated Hyun Sung Peace of Mind Park fight in UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on Aug 2, 2025.

www.sherdog.com

First off, the main event has an interesting narrative. VERY highly-rated Asian prospect coming off his first career defeat faces another Asian prospect who has yet to taste defeat. I get why Taira is favoured and it sounds right, but Park ain't no god damn son of a bitch to quote Danzig. He's a finisher with plenty of power on the feet as well as some grappling chops. I think Taira can still swamp Park on the mat, but I don't think this is a gimme at all.

Rebecki-Duncan is one of those off-the-wall bookings that kinda... kinda works... Rebecki probably wins, but I like that Duncan's getting this reward for being a fun action fighter who has defied the odds a couple of times already (+245 vs Vucenic, +155 vs Oki). He could yet be a "Problem" - geddit?!

Ribovics-Brenner is the kinda fight we can just sit back and enjoy, that's going to be some high level unranked fun, Cornolle is still a potential contender if she can sort her weight bullshit out, and Magny-Zaleski is one we probably should've seen already.

Silva-Vallejos gives us another peek at a fighter (Vallejos) who might just do something serious in the UFC, then there's the return of Rinya against a gritty opponent in Fletcher, Rodolfo vs Gore is a fun middleweight bout (Rodolfo fights are usually fun), there's a 13-0 flyweight, and a fight where presumably Bashi gets his first UFC win to open up. If Piera vs Ketlen is a decent level strawweight fight.

Sometimes you look at Fight Night cards and just think "meh", but names aside, these fights genuinely look well-matched to me.

What say ya, Dawgers?

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

They should just rename these events... The Apex Series

 

[Siver!]

They should just rename these events... The Apex Series

TBF, I had no idea they were called "on ESPN" until you pointed that out lol

I remember the "on Fuel" series, but yeah, "Apex Series" should be a lower level than real Fight Nights that take place in an arena.

 

[RockyLockridge]

There might be some entertaining bouts, so i will watch, as per usual.... but only the main event seems important. and it's less and important than albazi because they'd have likely given albazi vs taira winner a title shot

 

[Siver!]

There might be some entertaining bouts, so i will watch, as per usual.... but only the main event seems important. and it's less and important than albazi because they'd have likely given albazi vs taira winner a title shot

I was worried the Albazi fight could bury Taira.

The young guys at flyweight seem to get ranked way too quickly and therefore given a murderer's row when they actually need more seasoning.

But yeah, the implications were bigger for that one.

 

[Senbonzakura]

Half the card is pretty interesting. For Apex standards its right at above average and worthwhile for this weekend.

If Albazi stayed in tact and Park had another challenger then it was looking sneaky good. All in all will watch this card after summerslam

 

[Hymen Crusher]

I am not sure what you guys are seeing this feels like a AAA baseball game.

 

[milliniar]

Tiara and Park look like teenagers in those pics

 

[Neck&Neck]

The Apex is doing K-Pop shows now

 

[CasualBot]

It's far too nice out for apex cards.

 

[bng]

Liu Kang vs. Kung Lao

 

[EndlessCritic]

It's a solid card for a fight night. No big names, but few completely irrelevant guys either.

 

[FriskyRandy]

I am not sure what you guys are seeing this feels like a AAA baseball game.

This.. how are people trying to turn this shit card into something not awful?

 

[JayPettryMMA]

Tiara and Park look like teenagers in those pics

I thought the same thing as I was going over the card a few hours ago.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

This.. how are people trying to turn this shit card into something not awful?

Well, it does require following the sport to enjoy it...there is more to MMA than guys with large social media followings and people in the top 5.

 

[xhaydenx]

How the fuck did they not cut Pulyaev after his last fight? Dude didn't even try to fight, not even point fight. Absolutely pathetic "fighter".

 

[EndlessCritic]

This.. how are people trying to turn this shit card into something not awful?

It's a solid main event on any metric. Taira is championship level and Park is getting his opportunity to see if he belongs in the title conversation.

The co-main event is solid. Rebecki is an animal. Duncan is basically the Scottish poirier except he can actually finish a guillotine.

Silva vs Vallejos is a great fight between rising guys.

Estevam is a top 125 prospect. Bashi's getting a chance at redemption.

It's not a PPV level card. But it's good for a fight night.

 

[Meatspin]

Will watch as I will actually be in the correct time zone for once

 

[blunttruth]

This.. how are people trying to turn this shit card into something not awful?

It is all perspective and expectations... if this card was being held at your local club or hangout, it would be like the biggest thing, that we wouldn't want to miss, and would tell most our friends about. I will watch, but do not expect it to be UFC300 level excitement or entertainment.

 

[EndlessCritic]

It is all perspective and expectations... if this card was being held at your local club or hangout, it would be like the biggest thing, that we wouldn't want to miss, and would tell most our friends about. I will watch, but do not expect it to be UFC300 level excitement or entertainment.

Can safely say if Taira vs Park was around the corner from my house, my friends probably wouldn't give a shit.

Hypothetically, if I had friends.