You won’t believe what Tatsuro Taira’s flyweight title at UFC 328 could do for Japan

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Tatsuro Taira is fighting for more than just a title at UFC 328 in Newark.

Before the main event between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev, another title fight will take place at the Prudential Center.

Joshua Van, who won the belt after Alexandre Pantoja’s injury last December, is set to make his first defence of the flyweight championship.

Taira stands in his way. A win could not only keep him on top of the 125-pound division but also help bring the UFC back to Japan.

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

UFC could return to Japan if Tatsuro Taira wins the title, says Dana White

Taira earned his shot at the belt after knocking out former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

The Japanese star is now 18-1 as a pro, having dropped only a close split decision against Brandon Royval inside the Octagon.

His only loss came by split decision to Brandon Royval. Now, as he sits on the edge of history, Taira has more than just a title on the line when he steps into the cage at UFC 328. He’s carrying an entire nation’s hopes with him.

If he does become champion, Dana White says it could lead to the promotion holding an event in Japan for the first time since 2017.

Speaking on CBS Mornings, White said: “It’s been a while since we’ve done a fight in Japan. There’s not a lot of talent coming out of Japan like there was back in the late ’90s, early 2000s.”

“If this kid wins and becomes world champ,” he continued. “We could go do a fight in Japan again.”

Some remain sceptical about White’s comments. Fighters like Dricus du Plessis and Ilia Topuria were expected to bring events to their home countries after winning titles but haven’t yet managed it.