Flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira has completed a nine-week training camp in Denver, Colorado, training alongside top-ranked fighters Justin Gaethje and Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagen praised Taira as a key figure who could help bring the UFC back to Japan. Gaethje expressed strong confidence in Taira's abilities, highlighting his dominant victory over Brandon Moreno, whom Gaethje considers one of his favorite fighters. Gaethje stated he would bet significant money on Taira to defeat the current flyweight champion, showing his belief in the young Japanese prospect's championship potential. The footage comes from UFC Embedded Episode 1.
Flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira has wrapped up a nine-week training camp in Denver, Colorado, working alongside top-ranked UFC talent Justin Gaethje and Cory Sandhagen, with footage of the camp surfacing in UFC Embedded Episode 1.
Taira, 26, carries an 18-2 record and is ranked fifth in the flyweight division. The Japanese fighter out of The Blackbelt Japan is one of the more technically complete prospects in the 125-pound weight class, landing 2.94 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent while also averaging 3.12 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a well-rounded profile that speaks to his grappling-heavy, smothering style.
Bantamweight contender Sandhagen, ranked third at 135 pounds and representing Elevation Fight Team in Denver, praised Taira as a fighter who could be instrumental in bringing the UFC back to Japan. The 34-year-old American holds an 18-6 record and is one of the busiest strikers in his division, averaging 4.86 significant strikes per minute.
Gaethje, also a training partner during the camp, was particularly emphatic in his endorsement of Taira, pointing to the young flyweight's dominant win over Brandon Moreno as evidence of his championship-level ability. Gaethje described Moreno as one of his favorite fighters and said he would be willing to bet significant money on Taira against the current flyweight champion. Moreno, 32, is ranked second in the flyweight division with a 23-10-2 record, making Taira's victory over him a widely respected credential.
Why it matters
- Taira's camp with elite training partners in Denver signals serious preparation for a potential title shot.
- Endorsements from established names like Gaethje add weight to Taira's standing as a legitimate flyweight championship contender.
- A strong showing in his next fight could position the fifth-ranked Taira to leapfrog competitors and challenge for the 125-pound belt.
