UFC flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira completed a nine-week training camp in Denver, Colorado, training alongside Justin Gaethje and Corey Sandhagen. Sandhagen called Taira a key figure for bringing the UFC back to Japan. Gaethje praised Taira highly, noting his dominant victory over Brandon Moreno, whom Gaethje considers one of his favorite fighters. Gaethje expressed strong confidence that Taira will defeat the current flyweight champion, saying he would bet significant money on the outcome. The comments were made during UFC Embedded episode 1.
Japanese flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira has wrapped up a nine-week training camp in Denver, Colorado, sharing the gym with lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and bantamweight contender Corey Sandhagen, as documented in the first episode of UFC Embedded.
Taira, 26, carries an 18-2 record and currently sits fifth in the flyweight rankings. The Blackbelt Japan product stands five-foot-seven with a 70-inch reach and brings a well-rounded game to the table, averaging 3.12 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, while landing significant strikes at 60 percent accuracy. His win over ranked flyweight Brandon Moreno stands as one of his most prominent victories heading into his next assignment.
Moreno, the 32-year-old Mexican standout ranked second at flyweight, owns a 23-10-2 record and has long been considered one of the division's most dangerous offensive forces, averaging 3.84 significant strikes per minute across his career.
Gaethje, the 37-year-old American who holds the lightweight title with a 28-5 record, spoke effusively about Taira during the UFC Embedded appearance. He cited Taira's dominant performance over Moreno — a fighter he counts among his personal favorites — as evidence of just how dangerous the young Japanese contender has become. Gaethje stopped short of restraint, stating he would bet significant money on Taira defeating the current flyweight champion.
Sandhagen added his own endorsement, describing Taira as a central figure in efforts to bring UFC events back to Japan.
Why it matters
- Taira is ranked fifth at flyweight and a win over the champion would cement Japan's return to UFC title contention
- Backing from a sitting champion like Gaethje raises Taira's profile ahead of what appears to be a title-related booking
- The camp pairing with elite-level wrestlers and strikers suggests Taira's team is preparing for a complete, high-level opponent
