Alan Jouban Favors Tatsuro Taira Against Joshua Van at UFC 327
Ahead of UFC 327, Alan Jouban says Tatsuro Taira presents the clearer path to victory. The co-main event takes place April 11 at Miami’s Kaseya Center. The card will stream on Paramount+.
Jouban’s assessment
Jouban favors Taira because of his scrambling and submission instincts. He described Taira’s entry as a “cheetah shot” that secures the back.
Jouban called Joshua Van a polished striker. He added that Van’s work in scramble positions remains a question mark. Jouban told Filmogaz.com he leans toward Taira for those reasons.
Fight context and recent form
| Fighter | Pro Record | UFC Record |
|---|---|---|
| Tatsuro Taira | 18-1 | 8-1 |
| Joshua Van | 16-2 | 9-1 |
Van won the flyweight title at UFC 323. He beat Alexandre Pantoja via injury TKO in just 26 seconds. That result made Van the new champion.
Taira enters with a strong submission resume. His most recent outing ended in a TKO win over former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323. That finish boosted his momentum heading into this title shot.
What Jouban worries about
He doubts whether Van can defend takedowns for a full five rounds. Jouban warned a single mistake could allow Taira to lock in a choke.
Even if Van controls much of the bout, Jouban believes Taira’s threat never disappears. That belief shapes his prediction for UFC 327.
Stakes and betting
Van makes his first title defense at UFC 327. Oddsmakers list him as the betting underdog against Taira.
The fight will test Van’s ground answers and Taira’s ability to close distance. The result will impact the flyweight division significantly.
