Tatsuro Taira
#4 FlyweightRecord 18-2-0JapanThe Blackbelt Japan
The style
Submission Grappler
Chain grappling · Back control · Composed
GrapplingStriking
Taira is a 26-year-old Okinawan grappler who built an 18-1 run on chain wrestling and back-takes before challenging for the title. He stopped Brandon Moreno in December 2025 to earn the shot, then was finished by champion Joshua Van in the fifth round at UFC 328 in May 2026. He remains one of the youngest elite contenders in the division and is expected back in the title mix quickly.
Tale of the tape
| Record | 18-2-0 |
| Age | 26 |
| Height | 5'7" |
| Reach | 70" |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Country | Japan |
| Team | The Blackbelt Japan |
The numbers
Career UFC averages.
| Sig. strikes landed / min | 2.87 |
| Striking accuracy | 54% |
| Sig. strikes absorbed / min | 3.1 |
| Striking defense | 44% |
| Takedowns / 15 min | 3.57 |
| Takedown accuracy | 43% |
| Takedown defense | 46% |
| Submission attempts / 15 min | 1.28 |
How they win
6 KO/TKO8 SUB4 DEC
How they lose
1 KO/TKO0 SUB1 DEC
On The Fight Brief
No fight breakdowns yet — they’ll appear here when Taira lands on a covered card.