Ufc 327: Joshua Van says Tatsuro Taira will serve as first flyweight title defense
Joshua Van told fans at a UFC Houston Q&A that Tatsuro Taira will be his first flyweight title defense, and some later placements have put the bout on the card for ufc 327 in Miami though the promotion has not formally announced the fight.
Van names Taira as his next challenger
Van, the promotion’s youngest beltholder, made the declaration in Houston when asked about potential challengers, saying, "I'm fighting Tatsuro next, bro. " Van won the flyweight title at UFC 323 on Dec. 6 when Alexandre Pantoja dislocated his shoulder early in the fight; Van landed only two significant strikes in the bout that ended by that freak injury.
Ufc 327 listing remains unannounced
Others have placed Van vs. Taira on the card for ufc 327 in Miami, but the UFC has not confirmed the matchup. Van did not specify a date or venue when he spoke in Houston, and the promotion has yet to post an official announcement tying the champion to a specific card.
Taira’s credentials and division implications
Tatsuro Taira enters the picture with an 18-1 record and comes off a win over former champion Brandon Moreno by second-round stoppage; he sat near the promotion’s front row during UFC 323. A victory over Taira would make Van’s reign more established, and a Taira title shot would create the first Japanese UFC champion if Taira were to win the belt.
The possible rematch between Van and Alexandre Pantoja remains on hold while Pantoja recovers from his shoulder injury, leaving Taira and Manel Kape as the immediate alternatives for a first defense. Kape, who beat Brandon Royval in December, denied a recent false report that a title shot was already promised to him, saying the promotion had given the spot to Taira.
The promotion has not confirmed any date, venue or official card placement. Van made his announcement during a Q&A at UFC Houston, an event scheduled for tonight, and fans will be watching for an official posting of the fight or a formal schedule update from the promotion.
